The College Interview

The part of the college application process that makes people the most nervous is probably the interview. At the interview you have to "sell yourself," and nobody is there to help you. At least with your application you can spend time on it, have someone else check it, and you basically have plenty of time to complete it. At the interview you're asked questions and have to think quickly, and answer immediately. You must explain yourself well enough so that you don't seem stupid, but not talk so much that you cause the interviewer to lose interest.Colleges have two methods of interviewing. Some have student interviewers, usually seniors, who make you feel very comfortable, partly because they are close to your age. Other colleges have an alumnus (or alumna) as an interviewer, or even a member of the college staff. It seems that these interviewers are more interested in your knowledge and view of specific topics. But no matter who your interviewer is, there are a few things you should do to get ready for the interview.1) Know your SAT scores, Achievement test scores, and grade point average with class rank.2) Know your extra-curricular activities and have a few you can concentrate on and talk about.3) Be up-to-date on current events. Many times an interviewer throws questions about them at you. Also, have an opinion on controversial issues and be ready to explain and defend it if necessary.4) Be ready to talk about the most recent book you've read and the book you liked the most.5) Be ready to explain specific reasons why you want to go to that college.If you're ready with these, you'll be at an advantage. It's an awful feeling to be at an interview and be asked a question that you don't know the answer to. If you go prepared, explain yourself, and most important, don't get nervous, your interview should go fine. n The College Interview Why haven't I gone to meet her yet? I need to get into this wonderful school, the school of my dreams. They know how much I want to be here. Can't they just accept me? I want it more than that girl over there looking at her nails. She acts like she's going to win them over so easily. But the admissions committee won't fall for her tricks. They are too smart. It is their job to find the students who are committed. They don't want someone who will fail. Have I ever failed a class? I need to be here.Look at the secretary, taking ages to write a simple letter. I bet she just wants me to wait forever. That way when it's my turn for the interview, I will be upset and not know what to say. But I will know what to say. I have spent two weeks of my life thinking about all the possible questions they could ask. They will see my dedication. I will get in.The door is opening. Is it my turn? No, it's that other girl's. She can walk through the door thinking that she will get in with her attitude, but I know better. They will ask her what she learned in the classes she visited and she won't know what to say. She just sat there smacking gum against her teeth. Crackle, crackle, smack, smack, that's what will be going through her mind. When I go in the room, I will be ready. Ready to tell everything that happened in each class. I will be ready.Why hasn't the secretary called me? Have I done something wrong? Maybe she doesn't remember that I'm waiting. Maybe I should put on some lip gloss so my lips won't be dry. I need to calm down. The secretary will sense if I am nervous. There, I just need to put on a little gloss to add a bit of color. The lip gloss is a simple color, but elegant. What is the interviewer wearing? Maybe I shouldn't have put any on. Oh no, what if I can't speak when the interviewer asks me questions? What if my lips stick together? She'll think I'm so stupid. They'll talk about me afterwards: "What an odd girl, can't even move her lips. She needs to be put aw ay. Maybe she's a mute?" Oh no! I have to take off this awful stuff!I need to stay calm. She is a very nice lady. Mommy told me that she went to Beaufort. She must have loved it here. Who wouldn't? I think the secretary went here, too. Oh, yes, really, you did too. How lucky are they? I hope I can go, too. I would take all of the science programs and the art classes. I would make more friends than gum girl. I would really enjoy it and they would be happy they accepted me. They'll see. I'll make honors.What if the gum girl gets in and I don't? She won't. She can't. They will see right through her. She can't be very smart if she chews gum during her interview. No one with half a brain chews gum during an interview! She should know better. I can't worry about her. After all, she isn't even my only threat, there are many more! Oh no, my stockings have a run. I hope they don't notice. It's from this stupid chair. I shouldn't have worn stockings! They are going to notice. I bet the secret ary saw me pull my leg away from the chair. I'll cross my legs - I'll be a contortionist.Oh, isn't that sweet. She told me that it's only going to be another couple of minutes. Well, thank you. Thank you for making me wait here forever and rip my tights and put on too much lip gloss! Maybe if I explain to her the reason that Beaufort should take me is because I'm so patient... the nerve, making me wait so long! They should just accept me right now! If that door doesn't open in the next minute, I'll open it myself. How much does gum girl have to talk about, anyway? Unbelievable.Wait! The doorknob is turning! Right this way, okay. I must be polite! Be sure to answer each question and give examples. Tell stories. After all, I am very amusing. They'll see that. Look at this school. What I would do to be here too, but I've blown my chance, wearing too much lip gloss. Why did I put it on in the first place? And that chair, it wanted me to be embarrassed. It hated me, I was sitting on it t oo long. So it had to go and eat my stockings! This evil room. Wait, but I'm here in the school. In my dream school where there are so many possibilities! I need to be here. Stay calm! Shake her hand, be firm, but not too firm. They will see I am different! I am an individual. Wait a second, look at the interviewer - she has a rip in her stockings, too. And, can it be? She has a heap of lip gloss on, too. That's amazing. How can that be? All of the things that went wrong for me happened to her too. Amazing! Oh, what a nice normal lady. A product of Beaufort! Like I will be! Amazing!