Ask Away at Your Admissions Interview!

asking the right questions

Ask questions that show you’re attempting to connect the features of the program and your individual goals, needs and interests.

An interview works in two directions: The interviewer asks you questions to see if you’d be a good fit for the school in question, and you ask the interviewer questions to help you determine if this program is right for you.

In order to think up some good questions, you’ll want to make sure that you:

1. Review the program’s website thoroughly. Asking questions is a good thing. Asking questions that are answered on the homepage of the school’s site? Not so good.

2. Review the details of your application to help you come up with questions that relate specifically to your interests, experience, and goals.

As you review the school’s literature and your application, jot down whatever questions come to mind. The best questions are those that show you attempting to connect the dots between the features of the program and your individual goals, needs and interests. Because these questions are so highly individualized, it’s hard to give specific examples, but below you’ll find a few general questions that will trigger your more personal queries:

• How difficult is it to claim a seat in popular classes like International Business Relations (or Medical Ethics or Psych 101…(or any other class that specifically interests you and is popular)?

• Does the program have any clubs or extracurricular activities for Spanish-speaking entrepreneurs (or juggling acrobats, or whatever particular interests you have)? What steps are involved in starting a group on campus? Before asking this question, see if you can find the group on the school’s website and check if it is active.

• What are the criteria for competing in a business plan competition? (Again, fill in the blank to cater this question towards your personal goals, and check online to see if the question isn’t answered there.)

• What role does the career services department play in helping students network and secure interviews?

If your admissions interview is with a recent alum or a current student, then you can ask about his/her experience at Program X. This is a good way to make conversation and show your interest in the interviewer and the program. It may also serve as a jumping off point for coming up with more personalized questions. Some basic ones to start with may be:

• What are/were your favorite classes? Professors?

• Are there any activities, clubs, or competitions that simply should not be missed?

• Do you wish you had done anything differently before attending or while at School X?

You can do it! Ace those interviews now!