While it's been years since I graduated high school back in 2007, my first-hand

experience with the college application process remains vivid in my mind. Between the
AP courses/tests, taking the SAT/ACT and the pressures to maintain a competitive GPA,
the life of an ambitious high schooler is no doubt, stressful. In the years since I was
accepted into College, acceptance rates (on average) have continued to decline. In
2012, my alma mater had an admission rate of only 12.4%. If you're preparing to
apply to college or in the midst of the application process, this article should serve you
well.
Background on Senior Interviewer Program
Claremont McKenna is a small, Liberal Arts college with approximately 1,200 students.
Because the institution is highly selective, the admissions department allocates much of
its time to ensure the incoming class is well-rounded and a good overall fit. To aid in
this process, a handful of college seniors are selected to participate in the admissions
process annually. The philosophy behind the program is simply that current students
(who have been immersed in the college) have the best perspective in regards to what
type of student will both enjoy and excel at Claremont McKenna College (CMC). Over
the course of my senior year, I interviewed a large number of prospective students and
had the opportunity to converse with many of their parents as well. Unlike many of the
larger institutions across the nation, candidates applying to CMC are considered to be
much more than just a number or statistic.
Should You Participate in an on Campus Interview?
At CMC, prospective student interviews are optional, however, choosing to partake in a
campus interview may or may not be your best bet; let me explain. Because all
institutions are different, each college/university seeks out a particular type of student.
If you believe you fit the institutions criteria, interviewing will most likely work to your
advantage. In the event you're not as strong on paper, but have a fabulously bubbly
and vibrant personality, I would strongly encourage you to interview. If you're unsure if
you fit the mold of an ideal candidate, think twice before interviewing. With that said,
your ultimate goal should be to attend an institution that suites your needs and fits you
well; rejection hurts, but sometimes it's for the best. Despite the fact that college
rankings are of the utmost importance to many students, it's also important to keep in
mind that in order to be productive and successful in college, you must be surrounded
by likeminded people and immersed in an environment you feel comfortable in. Looking
back on my college experience, happy students are often successful students.

What Do I Look For?

As a Junior in high school, you're probably only 16 or 17 years old. No, I don't expect
you to be a professional interviewee at that stage in your life; as a matter of fact, I
expect you to walk in sweating, nervous and feeling like there's a slight change you
may need to excuse yourself to throw up. Interviews are stressful and no matter how
much you prepare, nothing compares to the real thing. Embrace your human qualities,
you're not only allowed to be nervous, you're supposed to be that way. Here is a list of
things I tend to look for:

1. You carry yourself well, act mature, professional, make eye contact and can produce a
firm handshake.
2. Don't come off arrogant, narcissistic or self-centered. While you may indeed be an
accomplished high school student, you're one of many and there is always someone
just as accomplished, if not more so.
3. Enthusiasm and excitement are good things; try and embrace your interview
experience. Remember, the person interviewing you wants to get to know the real you.
We can tell if you're being genuine or not, so refrain from putting on an "act" because
we see right through it.
4. Continuous engagement. If you're not interested in your interview, neither am I.
5. Preparedness. If you're going to interview, be sure to do your due diligence beforehand.
If I ask you to tell me a little about the school and why you're applying, please please
please have an answer. The more you know about the school, the better. If you're
considering doing an overnight stay or spending the day on campus, I highly encourage
you to do so prior to your interview. Doing so will increase your credibility and give you
the opportunity to more easily speak about the school.
6. I want to see that you're ambitious and driven to succeed.
7. Have a personal story in mind that will leave a lasting impression. Following each
interview, it was my responsibility to immediately write up a summary and my analysis
of how the interview went. Leave me something to remember you by.
8. The majority of colleges/universities that conduct on-campus interviews rely on a wide
range of commonly asked interview questions. Despite the fact you will be unable to
know the exact questions beforehand, there are plenty of resources online to help you
prepare adequately.
All in all, millions of students apply to college/university each and every year. You're
going to be competing with thousands of them and it's important to differentiate
yourself whenever and wherever possible; a prospective student interview can be the
means of doing just that. On paper, y'all are more or less the same, so these
differentiating factors I speak of are extremely important