What do you say at an ivy league university interview?

Question

What kind of questions do they ask, and what is appropriate to wear to a college interview?

Answer 1

Wear something nice -- but not flashy. Dress like you are going to a job interview or church. or out to a nice restaurant Don't chew gum or smoke. Don't wear too much jewelry, makeup or bright nail polish.

Be prepared to talk about your background. They will probably ask you why you want to go to their school. It is OK to say what it will do for you (e.g., you want a first class education) -- but also tell them what you will do for them.

It is an interview -- so you should ask them questions, too. Don't ask questions about what the dorms are like or what people do for fun -- but rather ask about things that show your interest in learning while you are there.

Above all -- don't lie about anything. You don't have to tell them everything -- but whatever you do tell them, make sure it is the truth. It is OK (even good) to express your opinions. It is OK to be funny (but not flippant). Let them see who you are.

Good luck.

Answer 2

In general these interviews are more for you than for them. Your admission is probably not going to be decided by the interview - especially if it just an alumni interview and not someone from the actual admissions dept. After the interview the alumni person is going to write a brief note to the college telling them basically what he thought.
You don't want that note to say that you were sloppy, dirty, rude, late, ignorant about their school, a wise guy... You do want the note to say that you are a bright kid who obviously has done some research on the school and has a good idea why that school in particular would be a good place for him/her. Don't say, I like Columbia because it's in New York, or I like Harvard because they are the most famous. You need to say, I like Columbia because of the core curriculum that will give me a great grounding as an educated person, or I like Brown because the open choice curriculum will give me the freedom to choose the areas that I want to explore.... Say something particular about why that school is best for you. And, how you think you will fit in - what activities you've read about that would work well for you.

The person interviewing you is not your enemy - think of them as an interested friend and try to show your best side. They are going to try to imagine you at their school. Give them some good positive things to use in imagining.