By Justin Neiman, Former Harvard Admissions Officer

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Perspective on Admissions Interviews

When I speak with students, there is often no part of the college admissions process that makes them more nervous than the alumni interview. I get it. It’s one thing to tell your story and be vulnerable in essays; it’s another to sit in front of a total stranger and answer questions about anything and everything.

As someone who has been involved in interviews in various capacities—as an Admissions Officer at Harvard, as an alumni interviewer at my alma mater Dartmouth College, and as an applicant myself—I’m here to share some perspective to hopefully calm your nerves and help you put your best foot forward!

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Key Tips to Help You Prepare

Research Your Interviewer

Do a quick Google search once you have the name of your interviewer. It’s helpful to understand their background:

• Are they a recent graduate or someone who attended long ago?
• What did they study?
• What industry do they work in now?

Knowing a little about your interviewer might help you find ways to connect during the conversation.

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Understand the Interviewer’s Role

Most top schools rely on a robust network of alumni to conduct interviews of prospective students. This is likely the case for you, but you’ll want to confirm whether you are meeting with an alumni interviewer or someone who works in an official capacity as an admissions officer.

• Alumni interviewers are not admissions officers and have a different role in the process. They do not have access to your application—only your name, contact information, and high school. This is intentional on the college’s part; they want you to walk in with a clean slate, ready to form a connection, ask questions, and highlight important aspects of your high school experience.
• Admissions staff interviewers, on the other hand, may have reviewed your application in advance, so it’s important to understand the distinction.

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Highlight Key Parts of Your Story

While you don’t have full control over the conversation, as the interviewer will be asking the questions, use their prompts as opportunities to share the most compelling parts of your story. Think about which aspects of your experiences you want to highlight, and look for ways to weave them into the interview.

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Be Yourself

While it’s easier said than done, the best thing you can do is be authentic. You’ve worked hard to get to this point—now is your chance to talk about yourself. Remember, your interviewer was once in your shoes—a high school student going through a similar application process—so they understand the stress that comes with it.

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Logistics

In-Person vs. Virtual Interviews

Does it matter if you do your interview in person or virtually? Short answer: no.

• Take direction from the interviewer and gauge their preference.
• If they leave it up to you, choose the environment where you feel you can perform your best and form the strongest connection. For most, an in-person setting might feel the most engaging.

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What to Wear

There is no need to dress in formal attire. Many colleges recommend you wear something you’d normally wear to school, but I suggest keeping your attire neutral and professional, as you don’t know your interviewer’s preferences.

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Send a Thank-You Email

It’s always a good idea to send a thank-you email after your interview. If there were specific topics that came up about the interviewer’s experience at the school or something memorable from your conversation, mention it. This can add a thoughtful touch.

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Need Help or Advice?

If you have questions about preparing for college interviews, don’t hesitate to reach out. We can help out with mock interviews, sample questions, and general coaching tips!

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‍About the Author

‍Justin Neiman served as an undergraduate admissions officer at Harvard University and as an Assistant Dean at Stanford University. With over a decade of experience working at two of the nation’s most competitive universities, Justin brings a unique understanding of the selective admissions process.

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