Should I even bother?

Yes. Definitely.

Although the fall of your senior year may seem jam-packed, scheduling interviews for each college or university to which you have applied will certainly be worthwhile. First, you have the opportunity to connect with a local alum, whom you might contact for more information as you are making your college decision. Second, you may help yourself in rounding out your application materials; nearly every interview includes a "anything-more-I-should-know" question or an inquiry about updated activities. Furthermore, students with any charisma at all will bring real life to their application.

What can I expect in an interview?

The unfortunate reality is: There is no way to know. Some interviewers are certifiably strange, and the resulting interviews that they run may seem completely circuitous. The wandering interview, however, is not the norm.

Most interviewers will seek to engage you in discussion about your interests: Why do you love gymnastics? How has writing for the school paper broadened your outlook on your school? How did you come to be a first-chair violinist? What would you like to pursue in college? How does your background make you excited about English literature? Do you plan to join the Greek system? Expect that the interviewers will include a spattering of their own experiences from the school; don't feel dull if you can't follow every story.

On occasion, interviewers will begin spouting their counsel on which schools might accept you and where you should attend. In many cases, the interviewers may have strong insights on which schools will admit you based on their experience. We suggest that you continue engaging the interviewer in order to learn why they have given their recommendations and what their past experience has taught them.

One interview in which Steve participated followed the history of a government agency for which the interviewer worked. Though Steve loves history, the interview seemed to screech to a halt when the interviewer talked about the New Deal's influence on this given agency and how changes over the past 60 years had impacted present-day policies. Steve left the interview without knowing what had transpired during the 90 minutes that had passed, as he was only able to slide in about three questions about the school.

How can I prepare for an interview?

The most effective preparation for an interview is the type of research that encouraged you to apply to the school in the first place: reading the college brochures and visiting the school's campus. You may want to refresh your memory in the days before the interview in order to stir final questions that you hadn't been able to answer before submitting your application. You might also want to think through a line of questions that would allow you to learn about the interviewer's college experience. For example, you might ask your Princeton interviewer:

• Why did you choose to attend Princeton?
• How did you find your fit with the university's offered programs?
• Would you recommend Princeton to a person like me? Why?

If your interview falls significantly later than the date on which you submitted your application, you may want to jot down a list of changes that have happened. Perhaps you have begun practicing for an upcoming school play, scored a key basket in the most important game of the season, written a recent column for the school paper, or found that you really enjoy oil painting. Your interviewer should note your responses to "what's-changed" questions on their reports regarding your interview time.

Dress to Impress

What should I wear to my interviews? While there are no strict dress requirements, business casual or business professional attire will help you put your best foot forward. For more specific information on dressing professionally, read

If you are short on time, go to Victor Talbots, Saks Fifth Avenue, Zegna, Ann Taylor, Paul Stuart, or Brooks Brothers and ask for help with conservative suits or blazers.