Best Questions to Ask in a College Admission Interview

The interview process has seeped over from the sphere of jobs, to even schools and colleges. It is quite common for interviews to take place when you are applying for a college. This gives not only the interviewer a chance to know more about the applicant, but it also allows the applicant himself to understand more about the college and its various processes. 

It is always a good idea to prepare a few questions that you might have in mind for your college interviewer, as it not only helps you clear out all your doubts, but it also shows to the interviewer that you are genuinely interested in the college, its application process and that you have come well prepared.

You will get a chance to ask your questions at the end of your interview, so it is recommended that you wait till the end to ask them to your interviewer. You should typically have at least two questions prepared, but of course, you can ask more if you wish to. 

To ask really intelligent questions to your interviewer, you should research about the college, its campus, curriculum, etc. beforehand, and have your questions prepared. The best kinds of questions to ask are always open-ended questions. 

Here are some of the best questions to ask in a college admission interview: 

1. I want to study journalism, and I am interested in finding out more about the internship programs that you offer for students.

Can you tell me about some specific journalism internship programs which previous students have done and how it has helped them in their career paths?

This is a good question that you can ask your interviewer at the end of your interview, as it shows that you have given proper thought to what you would like to do in your future, and how you would like to achieve it. Internship programs are usually quite good, and this question can help you know about specific cases from the college itself. 

2. If there was one piece of friendly advice you could give to freshmen, what would it be? 

Here is a more personal question that you can ask your college admission interviewer. Not only does it help the conversation to flow a little easier, but it can also help you get some actual advice that can help you with your college-going process. 

3. Is there any tradition or event which was a personal favourite for you in this college?

If your interviewer has also studied in the same college as you are applying for, then this can be a great question to ask them. The question can bring back fond memories for the interviewer, and it can also give you a sense of the kind of activities that you can expect at that college. 

4. Is there anything that you wish you could change about this college?

Now, this might be a tricky question to ask, and you will have to observe your interviewer before you ask this question carefully. While some might find this question offensive, it can be very helpful for you when you want to weigh the pros and cons of college.

5. What are the most common challenges that you notice students facing here in this college? What do you think is the best way to overcome them?

This can be a very strategic and helpful question to ask at the end of your interview. It reveals to the interviewer that you are not disillusioned about how difficult the college experience might get, but you are still willing to find out ways to work through the difficulties. 

6. Can you tell me a little bit more about the ABC or XYX program in this college? I am a bit confused about which program I should pursue.

A great question to ask your college interviewer, which will show that you have already thought intensely about what kind of college programs you are interested in. Moreover, asking about a specific college program also shows that you have researched well about the programs, and are on the verge of making a decision that will shape your future and your career path. 

7. If you were a student applying for colleges, what would make you choose this specific college?

This is also a good question to ask at the end of the interview, as it will give you an insight into what the interviewer thinks are the plus points of the college. There might be many nuances of the college that you cannot see from the outside, but the interviewer might already know about. The interviewer’s answer will help you understand the environment of the college just a little bit better. 

8. If there is a student or students who are struggling through their college experience, either due to personal reasons or academic reasons, how does the college deal with such incidents?

With mental health awareness rising everywhere, this can be one of the most important questions that you can ask your college interviewer. Every college has some students who might be suffering from anxiety, depression, or other common or even uncommon issues.

However, if the college authorities are proactive and have a good attitude about how they help these students, it will give you a good insight into the values of the college. In case you are someone who tends to get anxious or even depressed, this can help you gauge if you will gain any help from your teachers or counsellors.

After discussing all these important questions that you can ask your college interviewer, it is also essential to mention one question that you should NOT ask during an interview. No matter how friendly your interviewer might be with you, avoid asking the question of whether they think you will be accepted into the college or not. This is just one question you must avoid at all costs. 

College admission interviews can be nerve-wracking. However, the only way to make the process easier on yourself is to practise your interview questions and answers and relax during the interview process. It will go better than you expect.