By Patrick Fitz

Now that applications have been submitted, colleges and universities may reach out to applicants offering an alumni interview. Policies for individual schools vary, and not every student will be interviewed by every institution. If someone reaches out, students should absolutely accept the interview. This is their only face-to-face interaction with someone associated with the college or university: this is a student’s chance to make the sale!

I’ve been an alumni interviewer for the University of Pennsylvania since 2014. And as an educational consultant here in Dubai, I encounter many students who have stellar applications and compelling backgrounds but are underprepared for their interviews.

If you're a student with an upcoming alumni interview, here are some tips to help you prepare to get the most out of your interview prep. Above all, be yourself and provide specifics on why you wish to attend. Paint a picture of you the individual as a student on campus, flourishing in and outside the classroom.

General Advice

In no particular order: clean your room or living space before the call, at least to the extent that there is nothing distracting. Interesting is okay and could lead to conversation! Dress “Zoom formal:” a collared shirt (but no tie), no jacket necessary unless you really want to. Speak slowly and remember to enunciate. Try to maintain eye contact in the same way you would for an in-person interview. And if you’re interrupted, simply handle it gracefully - we’ve all been there!

Know Yourself

Most interviews will start with a question such as “Tell me a little about yourself.” This is your chance to take control of the interview. A concise, engaging answer will set you up for the remainder of the questions. Propose two or three interesting things about yourself. One should be related to your course of study, another about an impressive achievement or meaningful experience, and the third about you as a person: your character. The interviewer will then naturally ask about these. Additionally, this provides foundation on which to build deeper answers to later questions that will further probe your background and experiences. Remember that the interviewer wants to get to know you as a person and isn’t so much interested in your resume - leave the high SAT scores and all those hours spent on preparation and classes behind. Rather, they want to see that you will contribute to scholarship and society on campus. This is particularly important for American universities. A note: self-awareness is a must. If your high school is selective, as many here in Dubai are, admit this; if you did not participate in many extracurriculars at your high school, be ready to explain (but never excuse!) why.

Know the School

You must be able to speak to why the college or university is the right place for you: academically, socially, culturally. This means articulating specific details about the program - major, courses, faculty, research opportunities and relevant organizations - and how they will contribute to your education. The most impressive interviewees have a thorough understanding of their course of study and indicate specific structural components of their education - even as something as basic as academic advising or a senior project - that have compelled them to apply. Outside the classroom, have two to three different student groups or extracurricular activities that you would join and be able to explain why. Don’t just mention that you want to study abroad: go on the university’s website and find a program that intrigues you. You don’t have to wax poetic about how beautiful the campus is, but be able to speak to why it will be a good home away from home for you for four (and possibly more) years. Leave out the praise: interviewers don’t need to know how highly you regard their alma mater or are impressed by the Ivy League. Unless departmental reputation is important in your course of study, stick to the facts about the academic program or activity.

Consider the Interviewer

Interviewers want to see that you have done your homework and are serious about applying to their alma mater. Remember, they attended the university and spent years of their lives there - even if they graduated fifty years ago, they will be able to recall even the tiniest details about campus. Also, think about it this way: they still care enough about their university that they are willing to take the time to meet applicants. Almost all alumni interviewers are also volunteer interviewers. Those are people invested in the future of their undergraduate (or graduate) institutions. Prepare 2-3 questions for them: one about their experience on campus and another about how the school prepared them for the future. And of course you should ask about anything interesting they say - it’s a conversation after all!

Follow-up

Shortly after the interview ends, send a brief thank-you email to your interviewer. Thank them for their time and mention something noteworthy they said, either about their time in school or how it prepared them for life. No more than a short paragraph is necessary.

- Hale Education Group