5 Tips for Accomplishing the University Interview Successfully

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Universities and Interviews

It is a typical process of interviewing the shortlisted candidates for the final assessment prior to admission which is followed by every academic institute and just the universities. However, universities have the tendency to become more formal when it comes to interviews and admissions. 

Why interviews are conducted in universities?

Admission interviews in universities are generally conducted either for evaluation of the candidate or to provide them with the information they might need before the formal admission and start of the program. 

Types of Interviews

As mentioned above that there are mainly two types of interviews, one for evaluation which is known as Evaluative Interviews, and the other for information which is called the Informative interview. 

Evaluative Interview 

Evaluative interviews are mostly expected in high-end prestigious universities such as Imperial College, Oxford University, and the like. 

In this interview, the candidate’s performance and his behavior in the interview will be assessed and taken into consideration when the university admissions officers decide whether or not to offer the candidate a place. 

Informative Interview

In an informative interview, the candidate has the opportunity to find out more about the university they are interested to get admission to. This is done simultaneously while the university also finds out more about the candidate. 

In this type of interview, the university admissions officers are trying to impress the candidates as much as the candidates want to impress them with their aptitude so that they choose their institution. (Collier, 2021)

Very seldom does it happen that only one type of interview takes place at a time. Usually, the university interview includes both evaluative and informative elements so that both the candidate and the university can take advantage of them.

How to ace the university interview

A university interview is a chance for the applicant to meet a college representative who would provide all the details about the college and would answer all the queries that they might have. 

Along with getting to know about the university, the interviews are a great way for the candidates to show their interest in the college and why you are the right fit for the university along with starting a relationship with people there and demonstrating your skills. 

Here are some types of questions you may encounter and tips a few tips about how to answer them. (BigFuture, n.d.)

Questions that the interviewer asks

Questions about your fit with a college

The university admission officers might ask questions like these:

  1. Why do you want to attend our college?
  2. What can you contribute to our college campus?

Answer

The candidate should talk about what they have learned about the college and why they consider it the right place. Another point to discuss is their extracurricular activities and achievements that show their character and caliber. Applicants can also demonstrate how they can be a university assignment writing services provider.

Questions about your personality

The university admission officers might ask questions like these:

  1. What three adjectives best describe you?
  2. What are your strengths and weaknesses?

Answer 

Here the applicants are supposed to give examples of how they’re chosen filed describe them and their personality or character. They should talk about how they have used their strengths to accomplish the previous achievements

Another aspect the applicants can talk about is they overcome their weaknesses and learn from their mistakes. 

Questions about activities, interests and goals

The university admission officers might ask questions like these 

  1. What activities do you find most rewarding?
  2. What is your favourite book?
  3. What do you want to do after graduating from college?

Answer

Here the applicants are supposed to think about all the whys: Why are some of the activities they have done are the most rewarding? Why a certain book is their favorite? If they have a major in mind, why is that they are interested in that subject and why do they think they can flourish in that course. 

Applicants should discuss all those points along with talking about why they think the college can help them meet their goals. Answering these questions can later help them compose a personal statement as well or let alone can be a personal HND assignment help.

Nonverbal communication

Nonverbal communication and gestures play a major role in all kinds of interviews and not just university interviews. Applicants should pay attention to their gestures like 

  • Do not look at their feet too often
  • Do not keep your arms crossed for long
  • Do not lean on the back of your chair

All these body signs show inward-looking attitudes to the interviewer and they might not get the positive outcome from the applicant to get to know them better. 

The applicants should keep this in their minds. Not only the gestures but the employers would be looking at their appearance as well that how they are dressed and present themselves that is why the applicants are advised to dress well; sober and clean. (YWCA, n.d.)

Practice the listening skills 

Practice and prepare before the interview with a native speaker to get familiar with their accent. During the interview, the candidate must make sure that they have turned off any distractions, make continuous eye contact with their interviewer and wait for them until they have finished asking the question before the applicant starts replying.

Try to listen carefully and intently to what the interviewer has to say and do not be afraid to ask them to repeat the question if there is a need

Summary

Above are some of the greatest pieces of advice of all time that would help the interviewee to ace their in-person interviews and secure a seat for them in their dream university.

All the applicants have to do is try not to worry too much, relax, and most importantly not brag or lie about their achievements in the interview because the interviewers are skilled and can catch the lies quickly.

This would not only make you look unprofessional but also would reduce your chances of getting the seat a big time. That is why applicants should consider these tips and try to follow them seriously.

References

BigFuture. (n.d.). College Interviews: Practice Questions and Strategies. Retrieved from https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/plan-for-college/your-college-application/prepare-for-interviews/college-interviews-practice-questions-and-strategies

Collier, S. (2021, April 21). How to Prepare For a University Admission Interview. Retrieved from topuniversities.com: https://www.topuniversities.com/student-info/admissions-advice/how-prepare-university-admission-interview

YWCA. (n.d.). 5 TIPS FOR A SUCCESSFUL JOB INTERVIEW. Retrieved from ydesfemmesmtl.org: https://www.ydesfemmesmtl.org/en/5-tips-for-a-successful-job-interview/