Preparing For Frequently Asked Questions in an Alumni Interview
The idea of an alumni interview might be very intimidating when you first hear about it. Chances are, this is your first big interview. So naturally, there’s a lot of pressure. How are you supposed to come up with the right answers and articulate your passions with an alum from your top-choice college looking at you? The best way to prepare is to practice answering common alumni interview questions.
An excellent alumni interview can help show schools that you’re a capable and committed candidate, as well as a strong fit for the college. You might be wondering what questions could be thrown at you during the interview. To help guide you through what to expect, we have prepared a list of frequently asked questions in an alumni interview. Practicing these common questions can help calm your nerves!
Questions About Your College Experience
- Why are you considering this college?
- (If the institution has multiple colleges) Why have you applied to the particular school?
- What makes you think that this college would be a good match?
- How can this college help you achieve your academic and career goals?
- Where else are you applying and why?
- Is there a subject you haven’t studied before that you’re excited to try in college?
- What is the most important factor for you when selecting a college?
- What do you hope to major in?
- What do you hope to gain out of your college experience?
- What could you contribute to our college community?
- Is there something you’d like the admissions office to know that can’t be guessed from your application?
- If you were given unlimited funds to plan an event at our school, what would it be and why?
Questions About Your Personality And Background
- Tell us a little about yourself.
- How would you describe yourself to someone who did not know you?
- Tell us about your family.
- What are your strengths? Weaknesses?
- Talk about a significant challenge you have overcome.
- Whom do you admire the most?
- If you could talk with anyone (living or deceased), whom would it be and why?
- What events have been crucial in your life?
- What makes you unique?
- What is one thing about you that people wouldn’t normally guess?
- What is your greatest passion?
- How would your friends describe you?
- What is your favorite place and why?
- What is something you’ve recently tried for the first time?
- Tell us about a time when you failed.
- What is your main motivation?
Questions About Your High School Experience
- What have you liked or disliked about your high school?
- What is the most important thing you’ve learned in high school?
- What have you most enjoyed studying and why?
- How do you learn best?
- Who is your favorite teacher and why?
- What mark do you feel you’ve left on your school?
- Talk about a time you led a team or a project.
- What has been your proudest achievement so far?
- Is there anything you’d like to tell us about your transcript?
- If you had high school to do over again, what might you do differently?
- What are your goals for your senior year?
Questions About Your Future Plans
- What do you hope to be doing ten years from now?
- How can this school help prepare you for your future career?
- How do you define “success?”
- What is your ideal career?
- Who is a role model in your field?
- What would you do if you didn’t attend college this year?
- How would you like to be remembered?
Questions About Extracurriculars
- How do you spend a typical afternoon after school? Evening? Weekend?
- What extracurricular activities have you found most satisfying?
- What extracurricular activities do you hope to get involved in at our school?
- Do you have any memorable experiences from working on a team?
- What did you do this past summer?
- Which of your activities has had the deepest impact on you?
- How have you left a mark on your community?
Questions About Your Interests
- What newspapers and magazines do you read?
- What books (not required for school) have you read recently?
- What television shows do you watch?
- Who is your favorite fictional character?
- Who would you want to play in the movie of your life?
- What is your favorite food and why?
- What is your favorite holiday and why?
- What current event are you most passionate about?
- Do you have a personal hero?
- What is a topic you can give a five-minute presentation on right this second?
Before your alumni interview, make sure you’ve researched the school, prepared questions to ask the interviewer, and practiced these with a friend or family member. Alumni interviews act as an added layer to your application, providing more character and context. If your conversation with the alum is a memorable one, it can give you the edge you need. Don’t underestimate this application component and if you do get a chance to interview, don’t go unprepared. Don’t memorize answers, let them come naturally. Think about what your motivations are in college, and how your background has prepared you for the next four years. Good luck!