Here comes the part that everyone dreads: the university admission interview. It can either make or break your entire application process. It’s not there yet, but your mind is already busy with what-ifs.
The best way to shake the tension away is to know the common university admission interview questions you’ll hear. Together with every question, there will also be some examples of the best answers to tell your interviewer.
the following questions to expect:
Tell me something about yourself?
This question often starts the interview to give you the chance to introduce yourself to the university interviewer. When you introduce yourself, say something that’s not already indicated in your application.
No, this is not about how you are as a friend or how you like watching movies. Describe your interests and a few personality traits that connect to the university and the subject you’re taking.
Why do you want to attend this university?
Interviewers will check how interested you are in the university you’re applying to guarantee that you’ll accept the slot given to you. They’ll also want to know if you know some of the most important details about the university.
You can share how the university has the best people, approach, and facilities for the course you’ll take. It shouldn’t be because it’s popular, cheaper than others, or the university your parents graduated in.
Why do you want to take this course?
You’ll want to study something you’re interested in. Let the interviewer know how you’re excited to take the course. You can say how essential it is to your dream career or say how it’s the subject you enjoy studying.
What are you reading at the moment?
This question also shows if you’re into the course you’re taking. Fiction or nonfiction, it doesn’t matter as long as you’ve really read the book related to what you want to study. You might be also asked about your favourites.
What can you bring to the university?
A university won’t accept you if you’ve got nothing to contribute to it. This is the time to highlight the traits that make you a student worth having.
Are you a good speaker? Creative in making presentations? Have good leadership skills? Show them what you’ve got for them without sounding exaggerated.
What are your strengths and weaknesses?
This question – although one of the most common – can get you thinking for more than a minute. Better know your strengths and weaknesses through your life experiences.
What did you (or your colleagues) think about yourself during a project? How do you study? How do you take criticisms inside the classroom? List down all your positive and negative traits that you can think of and know the examples related to each.
For weaknesses, better share the traits you think are negative but don’t seem to be that bad. This could include you being an overachiever or a glutton for ideas related to the course you want to take.
What achievement are you most proud of?
Talk about your most recent school achievement. You can also talk about that unforgettable moment you’ve reached a non-academic goal. Share how these achievements affected you.
Don’t get stressed if you don’t have gold medals or trophies. Achievements can be big or small and it depends on what made you feel great about your own efforts.
Prepare as early as you can for the interview. Of course, always expect the unexpected questions to come in. These common university admission questions are good enough to get you started and think of the best answers in advance.
The whole point of the admission interview is to get to know you and your genuine interest in this new chapter you want to get into. Do a mock interview with a friend or even by yourself to help you gain more confidence in your upcoming interview.
Good luck!
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Editor’s note: This article was first published on the 1st of May 2018. We’ve updated it for current readers.
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