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What’s the Deal with Delayed Admissions?

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Recently, Georgia Institute of Technology began offering first-year applicants the opportunity to apply again as a transfer student to begin school in the fall of 2019. 

 

The offer is presented through Georgia Tech’s Arts and Sciences Pathway Program and may be given to applicants who were not admitted to the College of Design, the College of Liberal Arts, and the College of Sciences starting in fall of 2018.  Students who exercise this option must complete an online transfer application separate from their original application, and the offer is only valid for one year after beginning full-time college studies at another institution.

 

In other words, their offer cannot be extended and only applies for the fall semester one year after the student’s high school graduation year.  Students who exercise this option must complete a minimum of 30 transferable semester hours at a fully accredited college within the United States.  They are also expected to maintain at least a 3.3 cumulative GPA and a combined math and lab science GPA of 3.3 or higher as well.

 

The unusual approach by Georgia Tech is nonetheless part of an increasing trend among competitive universities in offering delayed admission to incoming freshman.  UC Berkeley, Cornell, BU, NYU, USC, Babson College, St. Louis University, Penn, Northeastern, University of Richmond, Harvard, & Yale have all, in one form or another, encouraged gap years, offered students the opportunity to reapply later, or deferred admission to the spring or the following fall.

 

Students take a gap year for a variety of reasons, including academic improvement, travel, volunteer opportunities, work, or in some cases simply to experience life, slow things down, and mature as individuals.  In the case of Georgia Tech, there are specific college requirements associated with their offer to be completed in the ensuing year by June 1st.

 

Is this offer or a similar offer right for you?  It could be, but maybe not. Every graduating senior eyes freshman year through a different lens and brings different concerns and experiences to the table. There are potential benefits and drawbacks to delaying the start of life on your preferred college campus. You can discuss this topic with your Insight counselor to determine if this approach is relatable to your goals and marks the best path to both short and long-term success. As always, we are here to help you! 

 

Continued success,

The Insight Team

Dealing with Rejection from your Top College Choice

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You’ve opened the letter, read the email, visited the portal. The response is not what you were hoping for. You’re disappointed, and this is a very fair reaction.

 

Applying for colleges is a long and hard process, one that takes up a lot of your time both physically and mentally. Unfortunately, a lot of students feel that not getting into the top college of their choice is embarrassing or a reflection on them as a person. We want to make sure you know right away:

 

That is not the case.

 

The number of students applying to colleges is skyrocketing. UCLA had a 5.7% increase in freshman fall 2018 applications this year, and those numbers are similar across many college admissions departments. Colleges have a very tough job selecting students to join to their campus, and the hard truth is that they will have to send rejection letters to thousands of very deserving students. 

 

Do you know what the great news is?

 

You will get into plenty of other schools. You probably already have! You will get to open acceptance letters to some other truly great colleges and decide which of those is the best fit for you. It is important to remember that you still have some big decisions to make, and that come time to start at your new college, you will still feel just as excited stepping foot on to the campus you get to call home for the next little while.

 

For now, take some time to feel disappointed. Dealing with rejection is an important part of life as we grow up, and it is natural to feel sad when things don’t go the way you wanted. Give yourself a few days to feel those emotions, but make sure to talk it out with someone you trust (parents, siblings, friends or your guidance counselor are all great options). Practice some self-compassion. 

 

Most importantly, don’t dwell.

 

After a few days, it is important that you get back on track. You will be getting acceptance news, and when you do you will need to decide how you want to make your acceptance decisions. This will be a wonderful time and one that you have earned with all your hard work, so enjoy it and treasure the moment!

 

Waiting For Acceptance Letters Can Be An Emotional Roller Coaster

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Parents, this one is for you.

 

Right now, your high school senior is on pins and needles waiting to hear back from colleges. They may have heard back from some already or are yet to receive a single decision. They may not express this to you, but their self-confidence is shaky. Emotionally, they are wrapping up their self-worth in these decisions that are trickling out. Their past 3½ half years, no, their whole life (in their opinion), is up for critical review and judgment by a set of strangers who will decide if they are good enough.

 

While rational adults know that college decisions are not at all indicative of worth, we have to recognize what your teen specifically might be feeling. So with that being said:

It is vital that you celebrate every, and I mean every single, acceptance that they receive. You might have a list of what you consider to be “suitable” colleges. They may early on get into what is considered their ‘safety schools’, the ones you let them apply to because the college counselors recommended it.

 

Even if you do not think you would ever send them to a given school, do not deride it in front of your teen. Every acceptance is a win. It is an indication that their hard work and effort are paying off. So bite your tongue if you must. Look for the good in the school. At the very least, congratulate your teen, give them a big hug, and tell them how proud you are of them. Anything short of that is a failure in their eyes. They are looking to you for support and acceptance as well. They want to know that their achievements are worthy.

 

By saying nothing or by minimizing any acceptance, your child’s anxiety will continue. More than just supporting them emotionally, the future is still a blank page. You don’t know where else they will get accepted. If it turns out that their options are limited to a few of their safety schools, you want them to still be excited about college. By degrading those choices now, choosing a college over the next few months is going to be exceptionally difficult — for everyone involved.

 

And if denials happen, you have to be equally, if not more, supportive. Explain to them that this denial is not a reflection of their hard work, but rather a reflection of the competitive admissions process. Talk to them about denials that you might have faced in your life and how you dealt with them. Explain that where they choose to go to college will not determine their life’s outcome.

 

Rationally, your teen will hear you and understand. Emotionally, they will still be hard on themselves. They will be sad, disappointed, angry, or withdrawn — perhaps some combination of these. They will think the world, at the very least colleges, are unfair. They will undoubtedly know someone that got into a particular school with a “lesser” application.

 

This is a huge parent opportunity for you. This is a time for you teach them to rise above the fray, to be happy for their friends, to be accepting of the decisions they have received. Never ever disparage a school or another student. Doing so does not actually make anything better. Rather it teaches your teen to be resentful. Let them know that it is OK to be upset. Let them know that you are there to support them no matter what. Let them know that in just a few short weeks, this decision will be a thing of the distant past. Focus on the positive — the acceptances they have received.

 

Undoubtedly this is a difficult time for you as well. You are preparing to send your baby off into the world. But you have been thinking about this moment, probably, for your child’s whole life. This, for them, is a new world that they have to learn to navigate and they need your love, support, and guidance along the way.

 

We wish you all the very best,

Team Insight 

College Town USA

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When people think of the Boston area, the volume of outstanding universities is among the first topics to arise in conversation (trailing only perhaps politics and sports). It’s not hard to see why.  Across varied majors, school sizes, and locations both urban and suburban, going to school in or around Boston has something for everybody. 

 

You want to shoot for some of the most elite programs in the country?  Focus on Cambridge Massachusetts – not only is it home to historic Harvard Square, kayakers rowing down the Charles River, and the world’s only Curious George Store, but you will also find Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology within shouting distance of one another. 

 

But don’t be thrown by low admissions numbers. Harvard students study and find fun things to do in equal measure.  The MIT application meanwhile encourages some of the most creative essay topics of any university.

 

If you want to achieve your undergraduate education within a bustling city, head a few miles inward north and you will discover Boston University and Northeastern.  BU, located on Commonwealth Avenue, draws many of the nation’s hungriest applicants in Biology (explore the Combined Med Program), Communications, and Law while offering thrilling hockey games at Agganis Arena. 

 

Northeastern has become a focal point for many students interested in Business, Marketing, Engineering, and more. It’s minutes from some of the country’s best restaurants and bars and a healthy walk to Fenway Park, home of Red Sox (BU is even closer to Fenway on the other side).

 

Seeking more of a suburban campus with easy train access into the city?  Check out Tufts University and Boston College. Tufts, located in Medford, draws students from all over the nation and has tremendous offerings in the Social Sciences, the Biomedical Sciences, Computer Science, and Engineering. It also has one of the highest student retention rates anywhere.

 

Boston College, located in Chestnut Hill, is a leader in liberal arts education, and also draws applicants far and wide. Some of the strongest academic programs include Economics, Finance, Psychology, and Bio. BC is also close to Cleveland Circle, the Alston/Brighton area, and Newton Centre, the latter home to our local Insight Education office.

 

Want to experience something you haven’t heard of?  Head over to visit Brandeis, located in nearby Waltham Ma, a tremendous private research university with a significant liberal arts focus, and fewer than 4000 undergraduate students.

 

Want to explore the Arts with a depth and focus nearly unmatched anywhere?  Take a tour of Emerson College, which will set you on an amazing track.  Notable alumni include Paul Thomas Anderson, Jay Leno, Denis Leary, Norman Lear, and Henry Winkler (that’s right – the Fonz).

 

This is only the beginning – I’ve also worked with students who’ve had their sights set on Suffolk University, Bentley University, and of course UMass, the state’s public research university system, with campuses in Amherst, Lowell, Dartmouth, Boston, & Worcester.

 

It’s a great college town, and I can’t wait to continue the conversation with you!

 

Zach Pava is our local Newton high school and college admissions counselor! Learn more about Zach in his Insight Interview!

 

2018-2019 Common Application Essay Prompts

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The Common Application has announced that the 2018-2019 personal essay writing prompts will be the same as the seven 2017-2018 prompts. This is great news, as it allows Juniors to now start thinking about their responses to the prompts ahead of the college application writing season coming up this year. 

 

Meredith Lombardi, Associate Director, Outreach, and Education for The Common Application states: “Through the Common App essay prompts, we want to give all applicants the opportunity to share their voice with colleges. Every applicant has a unique story. The essay helps bring that story to life”. 

 

Here are the 2018-2019 Common Application Personal Essay Writing Prompts: 

 

1. Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story. 

2. The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience? 

3. Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome? 

4. Describe a problem you’ve solved or a problem you’d like to solve. It can be an intellectual challenge, a research query, an ethical dilemma – anything that is of personal importance, no matter the scale. Explain its significance to you and what steps you took or could be taken to identify a solution. 

5. Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others. 

6. Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more? 

7. Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you’ve already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design. 

 

All the best, 

Team Insight 

Make Sure “Senioritis” Doesn’t Spoil Your College Dreams

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After submitting their college applications, I’ll bet what high school seniors want most to do is just relax — something they have not gotten to do in a long while! And while I do believe they deserve to savor these unscheduled and unhurried moments, I would caution them that the effort they just put in can unravel if they let “senioritis” seep in.

 

Their friends may tell them second semester grades do not matter. If that was the case, do you think second semester would exist at all? Of course they still matter. Colleges reserve the right to rescind any offers of admission if academic standards drop. Simply getting one more B than normal is not going to throw an admissions officer into a tizzy, but a startling number of lower grades or a failing grade (and a D counts as a failing grade) can mean lax seniors will have nowhere to attend in the fall.

 

And grades are not the only things that still matter. Admissions officers want to know whether these seniors have kept up with extracurricular activities and other commitments. And, admissions offices regularly check up on those commitments listed on applications.

 

So seniors certainly should not want to quit that club they claimed was their passion as soon as their applications are in. If they plan to exchange some activities for new ones just to explore their interests, that is of course OK, but it should be in line with what was written on the applications. If they know there are going to be major changes in how time is allotted, it would be good to draft up a quick update and send it to the colleges. But before doing that they should think about the impact.

 

And I cannot stress this enough because I have seen it happen to the best of kids — do not get into trouble at school or with the law. Do not cheat on the chemistry test because you were too tired to study. Do not drive with others in your car if your license prohibits it. Yes, these pieces of advice seem almost silly to write, but bad behavior in these last few months can outweigh 17 years of perfection.

 

The lesson is just not to get reckless and believe that you are invincible.

 

But seniors should have fun this semester. The next several weeks are going to be filled with senior activities. This will be their last time with this group of people. Upon graduation, people go their own ways. Seniors should get to know their teachers, and maybe even find out they are really interesting people!

 

“Senioritis” is commonly believed to be a lack of interest in school. But rather, “senioritis” should mean fully immersing yourself in your senior year and all that is has to offer.

 

Class of 2018, we wish you a fun and fruitful rest of your senior year! 

Don’t Seek Summer Internships Just To Impress Admissions Officers

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The rush to get summer internships can feel as intense as the pressure to get into college. There is a misconception that specific internships will get kids into their dream colleges or that certain “unique” experiences will help to set students apart in the admissions process. So students trudge through applications. Teachers are forced to write more letters of recommendation. And school registrars barely take a breather before sending out another set of transcripts. And as with college applications, students tend to apply to too many programs just in the hopes of getting in. In the meantime, parents ready their pocketbooks for another expensive educational investment.

 

But the question has to be asked: are these expensive programs really worth it in the long term?

 

Unfortunately, like with most questions that relate to college admissions, the answer is “it depends.” I always tell my students that the program means nothing if they get nothing from it. In the same vein, students can capture meaning and learning from a variety of summer experiences. I often steer students away from the really pricey and easy-to-get-into programs. Simply doing a program for the sake of doing a program is a waste of time and money. The student could rather have used that time to really pursue his own interests, perhaps found in the smaller or less expensive internship and work opportunities. 

 

Sure, it is cool to say that you worked at this up-and-coming tech company, but if all you did was run errands and answer the phone, the experience is actually not that interesting. Perhaps working a lab will give you a taste of medicine, but don’t expect that you will be discovering a cure for diabetes in just six weeks — science does not work like that. Perhaps you want to be a future CEO, so something business-related appeals to you, but really everything is a business, even the local ice cream shop!

 

Summer used to be a time when kids got to actually relax a bit, ride around on their bikes and explore their surroundings. Students got jobs not because it would look “good” on their college applications, but because they wanted or needed to earn money. Kids would help out their parents with chores around the house or even at their offices. Teens would spend time playing instruments they loved, swim because the weather allowed it, and actually gain a sense of independence — the best preparation for life.

 

While I don’t expect that summers will swing back to those more relaxed times, I do believe there is value in exploring one’s personal and professional interests during those 10 weeks of sunshine. You can combo having some time to participate in your hobbies alongside your summer job or internship. 

 

If you are a teen, think about what would make you the happiest this summer. This does not mean you should while away the summer at the mall or playing video games. But what are the things you simply do not have time to explore during the school year? What experiences have you been craving?

 

Perhaps you are excited about practicing your Spanish and learning about medicine. Maybe you can find an opportunity to volunteer alongside a medical translator. Maybe you want to earn some money and explore business. That local ice cream shop I mentioned is a great way to get experience learning about customer behaviors and how real businesses make money. Maybe surfing has been on your bucket list for a few years now. Wake up early to catch the waves, assuming you live close enough, and then spend your day doing something else.

 

The craze around summer programs directly relates to college experiences. The reality is that admissions officers appreciate these real-life, everyday experiences as much as they do the more structured programs. And the truth is that the real experiences tend to actually be the unique ones because each experience is new rather than scheduled and planned.

 

So while I have no issue with students applying to and going to programs, I do have concerns when that is for the sole purpose of college admissions. Rather, summer is an opportunity for students to demonstrate to colleges their unique interests, experiences, and perceptions. Ultimately, the more meaningful and fulfilling summers tend to be the most interesting to one’s life and, and in turn, on a college application.

 

Q&A with your Counselor – Jenny Bloom

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We continue our Q&A series with Jenny Bloom, Insight counselor for 5 years and all-round awesome human! 

 

Where did you go to college?

I went to The University of Texas at Austin for my undergraduate degree in Human Development and Family Sciences (go Longhorns!). Post college, I moved to Los Angeles to work with students at UCLA.  After doing that for three years I decided to pursue my Master’s degree at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles in Early Childhood Education

 

What is your favorite memory of your college days?

There are so many memories that stand out to me from college it’s hard to choose just one.  I really love football so some of my favorite memories are from going to football games at UT.  I was at UT when we won the National Championship with Vince Young.  The games were exciting and the campus itself was so electrified and unified during that winning season.

Some of my best memories from undergrad are just the times I spent hanging out with my friends, making dinner, going to movies, playing intermural sports.  I made so many lifelong friendships during my four years of college and these memories of spending time with them are the foundation of our friendships.

 

What inspired you to become a college admissions counselor?

College admissions counseling really pulls together all of my strengths and life experiences.  I worked with students at UCLA post-college, and I have also been a community college instructor.  Now working with high school students and helping them figure out their goals and find their unique voice is something that really inspires me. Being able to be part of this specific portion a student’s journey is really joy-giving.

 

What is the best thing about being a college admissions counselor?

The best thing is working with young people as they are discovering what they are going to be excited about in life.  I really enjoy the times where I see a student’s face light up talking about something they are interested in—whether it’s an extracurricular activity, an academic subject, or even a really good book they are reading.

 

What is the most challenging thing about being a college admissions counselor?

One of the most challenging things is when one of my students faces a disappointment or setback.  It’s definitely a hard thing to experience as a teenager, but I also think that those are the growing moments. 

 

How long have you been with Insight? What is your favorite memory from this time?

I’ve been working at Insight Education since 2012 and one of my favorite moments is still from the first year I worked here.  A student didn’t know how to read her admissions decision and asked me to help her with the online portal.  We found out together with her mom she was accepted into her top choice school! She was jumping up and down and screaming, there were hugs all around; it was such a great moment!

 

Looking to the next 5 years at Insight, what are you most looking forward to?

In the next five years at Insight, I am most looking forward to meeting the new Freshmen that will develop into young adults and Seniors applying to college!

 

Tell us about your favorite restaurant close to home?

My favorite restaurant in the Bay Area is Doppio Zero in Mountain View.  I love their pizzas, and it’s a fun place to go and get a great meal with friends.

 

Who is your favorite sports team?

My favorite sports team is the Texas Longhorns.  I love watching sports in general and my time at UT really solidified my love of all things burnt orange. Hook ‘em! \m/

 

What do you like to do in your spare time?

In my spare time when I’m not taking care of my kiddos, I love to read and run.

 

If you could pick any 3 people in the world to invite to a dinner party, who would they be and why? 

I would invite Jane Austen because I love her books and I also know she was a bit tongue-in-cheek when she wrote about women and her leading heroines.  It would be interesting to meet the author behind the work.  I would also invite Rosa Parks and Indira Gandhi. Both of those women were important leaders in very pivotal times in history, so it would be nice to hear their experiences.

 

If you had to pick a motto to live by, what would it be?

Be kind and true to yourself.

 

What is your favorite weather season and why?

Fall, because my birthday is in the fall!  And also growing up in Texas, that is when the weather started cooling down, the leaves started changing color and it is so peaceful to me.

 

What is your favorite holiday or event to celebrate and why?

I love to celebrate summer… is that an event?  I really love being able to relax and enjoy time off doing whatever it is I want to do with no restrictions or guidelines.

 

If you weren’t a college admissions counselor, what would your dream job be?

My dream job would be teaching in some capacity.  Either as a professor or as an early childhood educator.

 

Where in the world would you love to travel?

I would love to travel to Italy and France.  Both places have so much history and great food to explore!

 

Any parting words of wisdom or advice to students?

High school is just one part of your life journey, so be present, be yourself, and be kind!

 

Learn more about Jenny in her Insight Interview! 

How to Answer College Interview Questions (In the Way Your Interviewer Wants!)

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So you’ve decided to do a college interview. Congrats! This is a great opportunity for you and your dream school to get better acquainted.

It’s normal to feel a bit nervous before an interview, but by preparing and preparing some more with our list of common college interview questions, and understanding how to give answers that show you truly understand your interviewer’s priorities, you’ll be able to give stronger interviews in no time!

 

Tell Me About Yourself

Nail Your College Admissions Interview

‘I go to high school, I’m a junior, I have a dog and I like soccer,’ is NOT how to answer this question. Rather than giving your interviewer a long rambling list, make this question work for you by highlighting just three things about you that you want your interviewer to know.

What kind of things should you talk about? What’s the most meaningful and unique to you, of course! It could be activities you’ve been involved with, a unique experience you had, your academic interests, values or goals, fun facts or even your family or cultural background. Here are a couple sample answers:

Well a little bit about me: I’ve been playing the flute since I was old enough to walk, and haven’t put it down ever since! I also spend far too much time on Reddit, generally reading about sci-fi or crazy scientific breakthroughs. I’m also the oldest of three kids, so have to watch way too much Disney channel.

I used to think medicine was kind of gross, but that all changed when I had to help my grandpa recover from his surgery and was able to see how healthcare totally transformed his life. I enjoy playing sports like lacrosse and soccer, and if I had a superpower it would be to speak every language in the world.

Note how each of these answers tells me much more about this student than I’d know from a resume, and also reveal a little bit of their interests, personality, and quirks. No need to try to come across as perfect- acting like you’re flawless typically comes around as anything but!

 

Why Do You Want to Study This Major?

How did you discover your passion for history? Or love of physics? Consider telling your interviewer about that moment (or series of moments) when you realized this interest was something you wanted to turn into a career, or how you’ve developed this interest. If you’re applying undeclared that’s totally fine too, but be prepared to talk about a couple of the majors you’re considering, and try to think through what your different major interests, like International Relations or Film and Media Studies, have in common.

I had been working as a camp counselor for a couple summers and loving it, when I thought to myself, ‘hey what if I actually became a teacher?’ I also love sports, and that’s why I’m planning on majoring in education and want to be a P.E. teacher one day.

It all started as series of columns I did in my journalism class on local school board elections. I loved talking with people and understanding the issues on all sides and what a huge difference people could make in education, which is why I’m studying political science and hope to work in local government.

Why Do You Want to Go To This College?

 

How to Answer the Top 5 College Admissions Interview Questions

This question shouldn’t come as a surprise, so come prepared! Have at least three academic reasons why “Dream University” can make your goals come true, and also have at least two non-academic reasons you love the school. That way you’ll be prepared to talk about “Dream University” no matter what topic comes up.

I’m drawn to your ecology studies program and love how you have a conservation focus. I was really interested to see that you recently had some top ecologists give a lecture at your school and even have opportunities for undergraduate students to do field research with actual fish and wildlife. However, I also love how you have an experimental college, where students are encouraged to teach each other fun subjects like slack-lining or Vietnamese cooking!

 

Do You Have Any Questions For Me?

Hint: ‘No’ is not an acceptable answer. If you’re applying to a college, you should be excited about it! Asking questions is a great way to demonstrate this curiosity and enthusiasm. Great questions include asking your interviewer about their own experience and asking specific questions. However, be aware your interviewer may not be equally familiar with all departments or special programs.

What do you wish you’d known as a freshman?

What’s something unexpected about Dream University?

How did going to Dream University prepare you for your job?

 

Tell Me About Your Activities (This One Is Deceptively Simple!)

So you think you’re going to talk about how you made varsity tennis, or maybe about your love of hip-hop dance, but the truth is your interviewer is also trying to assess your level of commitment and your values.

Talking about how your dance partner made you look bad is not a good idea, nor is pretending that you are the world’s best debater when you’re really not. Be prepared to talk about your accomplishments, how long you’ve been involved with your activity, and what aspects of your activity keep you coming back for more. It can also show maturity and humility to mention the parts of your activity that don’t come as easily to you that you are still working on.

 

Done Preparing These Questions? Good Work!

All and all, if you prepare for your college interview ahead of time, keep in mind the lessons of theater and improv, and show up with a positive attitude, you’ll be able to not only learn more about your Dream University but also truly shine as a prospective student.

 

 

All the best for your college interviews, 

Team Insight 

The Lessons I Learned As a Drama Geek Prepared Me For College Interviews

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And Can Prepare You Too!

I’ll admit it: I was a bit of a theater geek in high school. I built sets, sang, dance, but most importantly I learned to smile through my fears and say ‘yes, and?’ to whatever life and my interviews threw at me.

Using The Core Principles of Improv

If I could give you any advice on how to prepare for your college interview, it would be these four words: Be. Prepared. For. Anything.

Have you heard about the interviews with only one question? Or maybe you had a friend whose interviewer arrived late and spent most of the interview talking about Stranger Things? That’s why you, savvy student, need to know which questions might be asked and how to adapt, and adapt professionally, to any scenario.

Say ‘Yes, And?’

Founder of Improv on the Job, Taren Sterry, once said that, “‘Yes, and’ is about accepting and building on what is offered. It’s about listening fully, then responding. It’s about investing in what’s happening in the now.”

Often we can be so focused on planning our next witty joke or impressive anecdote that we forget to truly be in the moment, connect with our interviewer, and notice important subtleties like their tone or the direction of their questions.

“Yes and’ also means that you take full responsibility for keeping the conversation going, and make statements that guide the interview to cover the topics that are most essential to you. By listening completely and giving ‘yes, and’ answers that move your conversation beyond the superficial, you can truly shine during your interviews.

Practice, And Know There Are No Mistakes.

During one memorable interview of mine, I was fiddling with my pen when I accidentally flung it high in the air, only to have it crash down on the floor next to me. I could have frozen or panicked about my now totally awkward interview, but my years in theater had taught me to roll with the punches, no matter how weird things got. I laughed, said ‘guess I was a bit nervous!’ and my interviewer and I ended up cracking up at the whole incident.

Not only should you be willing to laugh at yourself and any mishaps, you should also learn as much as you can about your interview and interviewer in advance. Is it a group or individual interview? Have any students or interviewers blogged online about their experience? Are you expected to dress up or bring a resume? The more you know going into your interview, the more confident you’ll be, even if your pen decides to go for a quick flight during your interview.

It’s All About Teamwork

You can’t choose your interviewer, but you can choose how you react to your interviewer. Your goal as an interviewee is to not just be able to highlight your experiences, goals and how Dream University is the best school for you: it’s also about connecting with your interviewer on a personal level and making them want to advocate for you. This means lots of active listening, demonstrating a genuine interest in what they say and preparing for common interview questions in advance.

You need to prepare for and be able to respond to your interviewer’s questions, no matter how simple (Do you enjoy basketball?), strange (How many rubber bands would you need to build a tower to space?) or profound (What is your purpose?). 

Unsure how to do this?

Stay tuned for part two of this article next week for our list of common college interview questions, and more importantly how to give answers that show you truly understand your interviewer’s priorities and what they’re looking for.

Questions will include:

– Tell me about yourself

– Why this major

– Why this college

– Do you have any questions for me

– Tell me about your activities (this one is deceptively simple!)

See you next week! 

 

Insight College Admissions Counselor 

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