Applying to university can be a long process. Deciding where you want to go, waiting to get your results and filling out each application all take time. So, when you finally hear back from a university asking you to attend an admissions interview, there can be a mix of emotions.
Firstly, you will probably feel relieved that this is the final hurdle to get past but may also find the concept daunting, as the last step is the biggest. Admissions interviews are more common in some universities than others, especially if they receive a lot of student applications and cannot accept a high number of them.
While calling them an interview may spark images of something more formal like a job interview, the process can be quite different, depending on where you are applying. Some universities have a very official interview style, while others prefer a more informal chat with students to understand why they want to study at that university and what their goals are.
Where an admissions interview and a job interview overlap are in the preparation that is needed. It’s important that you don’t go into the meeting without getting yourself ready for it first, doing so can be the difference between getting in and not.
Here are the top three things you can do to prepare for an admissions interview:
1.Question yourself
There will likely be a lot of questions you'll have to answer in these interviews. None of these questions should be completely unfamiliar, as they will focus on your studies and goals post-university. However, it’s important to ask yourself these questions before the interview because you may find that your answer is much deeper than you initially thought.
For example, you may want to study engineering at a specific university as it specialises in that subject, but why that university in particular? There may be several universities that are well known for your chosen degree. Therefore, asking yourself why you prefer one university in that area or country above the rest will allow you to develop a much more impactful answer when you're asked in the interview.
Get some additional top tips on writing a personal statement.
2. Research the university
If you’ve just received an invite to an admissions interview from one of your chosen universities, it’s clear that you’ve done some research into the course and institution first. However, you'll need to do some very thorough research on the university for your interview.
Doing more research is always helpful when going into an admissions interview. There will be a lot of time to talk about the course and why you want to study that topic. However, the university you’re applying to knows that your degree can be obtained elsewhere and will often want to know what they offer that appeals to you. Think about the culture of the university and why the student lifestyle there may suit you.
Look deeper into the university before attending your interview and find out more about what you like about it. Doing so means you can answer any related questions and ask insightful questions that you may have about the university.
It’s important to remember that the interview is just as much of a chance for you to get to know a university as it is for the university to know more about you.
Read up on how to compare universities to help your research.
3. Ask about the interview process
As daunting as the interview may feel, they aren’t trying to make it intentionally intimidating. Universities are just trying to find out if you are the right fit for the university and if the university is right for you. It’s not common for a university to be secretive about its interview process. That means students can often contact the university and ask about what they are to expect.
Whether it’s communicating over the phone or emailing back and forth with one of their student advisors, you should be able to get a better idea about what's in store for you. This can be a great way to alleviate some of the stress leading up to the meeting, as you will have a clearer picture of how it will go.
Being invited to an admissions interview can cause a variety of emotions but it’s a great sign that they're considering your application seriously. It's one of the final steps before finding out whether you’ll be attending your chosen university.
By doing your research and preparing your answers, you can make the whole process much smoother and increase your chance of success. Once it’s over, you will likely feel a lot less worried than you did before and will be looking forward to hearing back from them.
Find out more about what to do after you’ve been accepted or, if you still haven’t applied, find a course with our site search tool.
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