When it comes to college admissions, every interaction matters—including the interview. While very few colleges now offer them, interviews present a powerful opportunity for students to shine beyond the application, essays, and transcripts. They also offer a great tool for demonstrating interest in a particular college. But with so much confusion surrounding their role, it’s no surprise that students and families often feel uncertain about how (and whether) to prepare.

Here’s what you need to know about admission interviews—and why students should take advantage of them early.

Check your Emails and Book Early: Calendars Fill Up Fast

While there are a few colleges that offer summer interviews to rising high school seniors, most colleges that offer interviews will send the student an email a few days to a few weeks after they submit their application with instructions on the next steps. This email will not go to a parent or guardian, just the student. So, as always, be sure to check your email frequently—especially in the weeks and months after submitting each of your applications.

If a college gives you the option to schedule an interview, don’t wait. Register as soon as you’re able. Interview slots fill up fast, and a delay on your part could mean losing your chance altogether.

Clearing Up the Myths

There’s a fair amount of misinformation out there about admissions interviews.

Let’s tackle a few common myths:

  • MYTH: “If I don’t get offered an interview, I’m out of the running.”
  • TRUTH: Many colleges that offer interviews don’t offer them to all applicants. It’s not a sign of your admissibility—it’s often about geography, staffing, or policy.
  • MYTH: “The interview will make or break my application.”
  • TRUTH: Interviews rarely make or break a decision. However, particularly in the rare cases when they are being held by a member of the admissions staff, they can tip the scales, especially in competitive pools where many students have similar academic credentials.
  • MYTH: “Only Ivy League schools offer interviews.
  • TRUTH: A wide range of schools and programs offer interviews, from small liberal arts colleges to scholarships and public school honors programs
  • MYTH: “All interviews are equal.”
  • TRUTH: Especially in cases of alumni interviews, they often don’t count for much. For example, at the University of Pennsylvania, they are held with alumni and considered informational and non-evaluative. But at ICC, we still encourage a student to put their best foot forward, as these alumni are still submitting reviews to the admissions offices.

What’s the Point of the Interview, Anyway?

Admissions interviews serve multiple purposes:

  • For the college: It’s a way to humanize the application, assess fit, and gauge interest.
  • For the student: It’s a chance to share your story, ask thoughtful questions, and make a memorable impression.

Even if an interview is optional, taking the time to do it shows initiative and seriousness about the school. It can demonstrate maturity, communication skills, and intellectual curiosity—qualities that are harder to capture in other parts of the application.

Which Schools Offer Interviews?

While policies vary, here’s a rough breakdown. An ICC advisor can provide more detail on which schools offer on-campus, regional, and virtual interviews.

  • Highly selective schools like MIT, Yale, and Dartmouth offer alumni interviews (when available) to most applicants.
  • Liberal arts colleges such as Bowdoin, Bates, and Grinnell often offer interviews through admissions officers or regional reps.
  • Most large public universities, like the University of Michigan or UNC-Chapel Hill, typically do not offer interviews due to the size of their applicant pool.
  • Art and design schools may offer interviews or portfolio reviews, especially for competitive programs.

Check the admissions website for a college’s specific interview policy—and reach out your ICC counselor if it’s unclear.

INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE COUNSELORS

No matter where your family is in the college admissions process, International College Counselors can help you with every aspect, including building and honing the college list, fine-tuning college applications, and writing admission essays. The expert team at International College Counselors includes former college admission officers, high school directors and counselors, and writing professionals with a combined 250+ years of experience, helping students and families successfully navigate the college application journey. For personalized guidance, contact International College Counselors at 954-414-9986 or email Marlene at marlene@internationalcollegecounselors.com.

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