Last Updated on October 1, 2026
Quick answer: To prepare for a virtual college interview, test your technology in advance, choose a quiet, well-lit space with a neutral background, dress as you would in person, and look at the camera. Practice common questions, keep answers specific, silence notifications, and send a thank-you note within a day.
Dos and Don’ts of Virtual College Interviews
Video interviews became widespread when the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted campus visits and even SAT administrations. [1] Today, a virtual college interview remains a common way for students to connect with colleges they cannot easily visit. Many schools also offer virtual tours and information sessions alongside in-person options. At some colleges, such as Yale, alumni interview applicants in person where possible, while current students conduct virtual interviews. [2]
Although many students, especially students who don’t live near colleges of their choice, interview with alumni by video once they’ve applied to a school, virtual college interviews with admissions office representatives are less common since they usually take place on campus. If you’ve got an interview coming up, you may be wondering how to prepare. To help you prepare and make sure you nail your virtual college interviews, we’ve provided you with a list of dos and don’ts as you prepare to talk to admissions officers online.
The Dos of a Virtual College Interview
DO Still Dress Appropriately
Even though these interviews usually take place before you’ve submitted your application, admissions officers will still take notes to add to your file. You must make a solid first impression, which means you must dress appropriately, as you would for any other interview. Even though you will probably be in the comfort of your own home, it’s still an interview, and you must look the part. While you don’t have to put on a suit and tie necessarily, it’s important that you look somewhat professional, wearing a nice sweater, button-down shirt, or blouse on top (admissions officers will only be able to see your top half through the screen!) Do not wear overly casual clothes such as band T-shirts or pajamas.
DO Keep in Mind Things You Wouldn’t in an In-Person Interview
Virtual college interviews can be tricky, as there are new factors to consider. These are changes that you wouldn’t necessarily consider when interviewing on campus. As you prepare for your online interview, remember to do the following:
Check that your Zoom username isn’t anything inappropriate, make sure it displays your full name onlyCheck and recheck whether your internet connection is stable, and that you don’t anticipate any technical difficultiesUse a computer that isn’t too slow, and one that you’re familiar withKeep your cell phone on silent mode, but close by, in case something does go wrong with your Internet connectionMake sure you’re in a spot with good lighting, minimal distractions, and no external noises (more on that later in the blog!)
If this was an in-person interview, you would be sitting in the admissions office without needing to worry about Wi-Fi. Online, those details are your responsibility, so plan ahead and make the most of the format.
DO Maintain Eye Contact With the Camera
Speaking of minimizing distractions, when you’re doing your virtual college interviews, it’s crucial that you maintain eye contact so that your interviewer feels that you are engaged and interested. This means looking directly at the camera. Even though it can be hard figuring out exactly where to look during a call, and be tempted to look on the screen where they are seated or on the side where you might have notes written down; you must not give them the idea that you’re focused elsewhere. Try to keep your eyes on the camera as much as possible, and practice in advance.
DO Prepare Questions for the Interviewer
In the midst of preparing to understand the nuances of virtual college interviews and trying to stay on top of technological errors, remember that at the end of the day, this is still a conversation that can boost your application. So, don’t forget to take it seriously, and ask questions that demonstrate your genuine interest the school. Browse the college website and research beforehand so that you can ask questions about facilities or courses that genuinely pique your curiosity. The admissions officer will not be sold on your interest in the college if it appears that you don’t even know what the campus specializes in or where the university is located.
The Don’ts of a Virtual College Interview
DON’T Forget to Practice
Going off of the last point, the most important preparation tip for any interview, including virtual college interviews, is to practice in advance. For an interview that takes place online, why not practice online as well? Before getting on a video call with your interviewer, you can ask a friend or family member to interview you using the same software. Give your practice interviewer a list of common interview questions so that they know what to ask. This way, you’ll not only have practice answering different questions about your interest in the school and prospective major, but you’ll also have a sense of any technological difficulties that you might encounter during the actual call.
DON’T Focus Too Much on Your Notes
A significant advantage of virtual college interviews is that you can write down pointers on (an actual or virtual) sticky note on your screen to refer to during your call. While it’s certainly helpful, and can steady you if you get stuck at any point, make sure that you continue looking at the camera and not towards your notes consistently. Plus, don’t try to memorize any answers, even to tough questions, remember the key parts of your profile and why the school matters to you, and go from there. The conversation should feel natural. You want the interviewer to get a good sense of your personality.
DON’T Keep Any Distractions in the Background
Although some things (such as the predictability of your Internet connection) aren’t in your control, make sure that your environment is as distraction-free as possible before sitting down for your virtual college interviews. This includes:
Making sure you’re sitting in a quiet spot with minimal background noiseInforming your family members that you’ll be on a callHaving a neutral background that doesn’t distract the interviewerChecking that the lighting is good and you can be properly seen
The purpose of these interviews is for the admissions office to get to know you. If there are alarm clocks ringing or distracting posters behind you, they might miss out on learning about important parts of your profile.
DON’T Panic if Something Unexpected Happens
Finally, remember that at the end of the day, things can always go wrong. Don’t stress out in anticipation that anything less than ideal may happen, but at the same time, prepare yourself. In an interview over video call, your Internet connection might falter, or you might encounter an unexpected incident that disrupts the interview. No matter what, don’t panic. Calmly explain to the interviewer the situation that you’ve encountered. For example, if your computer abruptly disconnects from the Internet, email them from your phone and let them know immediately. Or, if the call gets stuck and you have to log out and log back in, let them know what happened once you’re back in the call. They will understand.
Video conferencing makes it possible for students to ask questions about colleges and give interviewers a chance to get to know them, wherever they live. If you get a chance, take advantage of virtual college interviews to learn more about majors, course offerings, and resources, and to demonstrate your solid interest in the school. Keep these do’s and don’ts in mind and you should be all set for a great interview. Good luck.
Common Virtual College Interview Questions
Most college interviews, online or in person, cover similar ground. Your interviewer wants to understand who you are, what you care about, and why the school appeals to you. Prepare thoughtful, specific answers to questions like these:
- Tell me about yourself.
- Why are you interested in this college?
- What do you hope to study, and why?
- What activity outside the classroom matters most to you?
- Describe a challenge you faced and what you learned from it.
- What questions do you have for me?
Rather than memorizing scripts, jot down two or three examples from your life that you can adapt to different questions. For more practice, review our list of tough college interview questions and our complete guide to college interviews.
What to Do After Your Virtual College Interview
Within a day of your interview, send a short thank-you email to your interviewer. Mention one specific moment from your conversation, such as advice they shared or a program they described, and restate your interest in the school. Keep the note brief and proofread it carefully.
Afterward, take a few minutes to write down what went well and what you would change. If you have more interviews coming up, these notes will help you refine your answers. Many selective schools use alumni volunteers as interviewers, so our tips for an alumni interview can help you prepare for those conversations, too. Finally, remember that interviews are usually one piece of a holistic review. At many schools, including Yale, not receiving an interview invitation is not a sign that your application is less competitive. [2]
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