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General Interview Tips
The following is some advice that does not apply to a particular
school, but the interview process in general. First, make sure that
your clothing is professional, yet comfortable as well. You will
hopefully be spending a large amount of time in your suit, so be sure
that you are comfortable in it. Make sure that your shoes are
comfortable and if possible a half size too big, since your feet will
swell with the large amount of walking you will do at most interviews.
As soon as the semester begins, write each of your test dates and the
dates that major papers are due in your planner, so that you can try to
avoid scheduling interviews on those dates. When you receive a letter
offering you an interview, respond immediately, especially if you need
to change the interview day. Some schools might not be willing to
change the date, while others are more than accommodating. Don't be
afraid to ask if you have a test and would like to change the date, but
be sure that the date to which you change the interview will not
conflict with anything else. You do not want to change your interview
date more than once. Some schools actually allow you to pick the date
that you will come for your interview. Have your planner handy, so that
you know what would be a good time for you. Once you schedule these
interviews, you usually cannot change the date.
If you are planning on driving to the school the night befor
e the interview, check to see if the school offers a student host
program or if any hotels offer a discount to interviewing students. If
a school offers a student host program take advantage of it. It is
usually free and gives you a chance to see where you can live if you
attend that school. It also gives you a chance to get to know students
who are usually not involved with the interview process. They are a
great source of information about the school.
Also, if a parent, sibling, or friend offers to attend an interview
with you, take advantage of this opportunity.
While you are interviewing, your parent(s)/sibling/friend will be able
to see what is in the area around the school at which you are
interviewing. They will be able to give you information you might not
otherwise receive during your interview day. Also, these individuals
know you very well, and they might be able to give you some advice when
it comes time to make a final decision.
On the actual interview day, plan to arrive early at the interview
site. That way, if you are stuck in traffic,
you should still arrive on time. Arriving early also gives you a chance
to take a look at the facilities the school has to offer and to meet
the other students with whom you will be spending your interview day
before the pressures of the interview day hit home. This will also give
you some time to relax and get settled. If the school has asked you to
bring anything that day (a picture, your transcript, etc.) be sure that
you remember this information.
Make sure that you bring a portfolio with you, so that you'll have a
place to store information that might be given to you by the school and
also a place to take notes. If you have the opportunity to attend
multiple interviews, the schools will blend together in your mind. The
more information you have recorded, the better you will be able to make
decisions in the future. You can also slide a small book in the front
pocket of the portfolio, which is useful if a shuttle ride is part of
your day or if you have a long wait between interviews and
you do not have the opportunity to speak with other interviewees.
During the actual interview, be prepared if the interviewer has not
reviewed your application. Many interviewers chose not to read your
application until after they have actually interviewed you. They want
to hear about what you feel are the important parts of your
application, so please do not be shy. This is when you have to brag the
most about yourself. Kno
w that while the school is interviewing you to see if you match well
with their school, you should also be interviewing the school, because
you might need to decide if that school is the right place for you, as
well.
If you did receive disciplinary action for any reason while you were at
Scranton, be prepared that almost every interviewer will want to talk
to you about it. Be honest and sincere. Do not make excuses for
anything. Just tell the truth.
Try to get the contact information of your interviewers, both students
and faculty members. You should send a thank you note to each
interviewer within two weeks after your interview. For any school that
requires a student interview, ask your student interviewers for their
email addresses. Not only will you be able to thank them this way, but
also they can serve as a source of information if you have any
questions in the future about the school.
If you get accepted to the school you might want to ask about a Second
Look Day. Many schools offer a day where you can receive more
information about the school and get another chance to get your
questions answered. They are usually in March or April, so that you
have time to decide before the deadline.
Thanks
to April Puscavage, Class of 2002.
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Also
see School-Specific
Interview Tips.
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