160+ College Interview Questions from Top Universities: The Ultimate List

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Let’s talk about the dreaded college interview (cue the spooky organ music).

Not all schools require them, but many of the most selective schools do. You may not have an interview, but if you’re here, it means you’re at least considering one.

This ultimate collection of college interview questions will help prepare you for whatever that university will throw at you (including the dreaded "tell me about yourself" question), whether you're being interviewed by an alum or admissions staff member, in person or online.

Although there is no one-size fits all approach to college interview questions with best answers that we can provide, check out our complete interview guide (link below) to learn how to respond to anything an interviewer might throw you (psst, it even includes ideas for questions to ask college interviewers).

If you don’t have time for our ultimate guide, then at least take these steps:

3 Tips for Answering College Interview Questions:

1. Be able to
2. Why our school?
3. What do you want to study and why?
4. What interests you besides academics?

We asked Alumni from Carnegie Mellon, Yale University, the University of Pennsylvania, and Dartmouth College what to expect from a college interview, and here’s what they said.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• Carnegie Mellon's Suggested Alumni Collge Interview Questions
• Yale’s Suggested Alumni College Interview Questions
• University of Pennsylvania’s Suggested Alumni College Interview Questions
• Dartmouth’s Suggested Alumni College Interview Questions
• College Interview Tips and Strategies: the Ultimate Guide

Carnegie Mellon's SUGGESTED ALUMNI COLLEGE INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

Senior Year/Academics: This is a good introduction and a way for the student to communicate comfortably about their lives. This is as good way to gauge the student’s strengths and weaknesses, likes and dislikes in the classroom.

1. What classes are you scheduled to have your senior year?
2. What class are you looking forward to most/least and why?
3. What have you enjoyed most about your high school?

Extra-Curricular: Carnegie Mellon values how students spend their “free” time and what contributions they make in organizations, their school and community. We are looking for passionate students who show signs of leadership, cooperation and community service.

1. What activities are you involved in outside of the classroom?
2. Are you involved in these activities equally, or is there one or two that you are most passionate about, and why?

The College Experience: These questions aim to get a sense of fit, while providing the interviewee the opportunity to provide insight into who they are as an individual and what they are interested in. Is the student genuinely interested in Carnegie Mellon, do they know who we are and are we a good fit for what they want out of post-secondary environment?

1. What are you looking forward to most about the transition from secondary school to a university?
2. What characteristics or qualities are you looking for in a college/university?
3. How do you see yourself getting involved in the campus community?

FOR THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO THE College INTERVIEW, CLICK HERE.

This guide includes a comprehensive, step-by-step process for preparing for the college interview, what to bring, what to wear, and even how to answer specific college interview questions.