For high school seniors planning on going to college, these 10 simple steps can help you make the most of your college interviews (and beyond).

1. Making the Most of
College Interviews in 10
Easy Steps
From a parent of 2 college grads and a survivor of
26 years of college interviewing

2. My Background
Dave Tuchler
 Interviewing high school seniors
for 26 years
 Students from all North Shore
Chicago high schools
 200+ interviews since 1988
 Successfully got 2 daughters into
-- and through -- college
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3. Why Should You Care?
 Interviews are usually not the most critical admissions factor
 BUT – they are a great opportunity to set yourself apart in very
competitive environment
College Maybe Not a
Great Idea
Genius Candidates
Many Great Candidates
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4. The Interview - Purpose
 Gives the school insight into candidates
 An opportunity to show who you are!
 Gives you some insight into the school
 Lets alumni promote their school
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 Important: Interviewers don’t have your application
 So assume they know nothing about you
 But not necessary to talk about grades, scores, etc.
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5. 5
The most important thing:
Relax!
Be You!
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6. Tip #1 – Plan Ahead
 Manage your identity!
 Avoid inappropriate e-mail address or ringtone
 Clean up FB/Twitter/other online identities
 Respond quickly to request for interview
 Do NOT have your parents make arrangements (or wait around during
the interview)
 Exchange contact info: cell phone # and e-mail (in case something
comes up)
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7. Tip #2 – Be On Time
 Target getting there 5-10 minutes early
 Check a map or test run ahead of time
 Allow 15-30 minutes extra for the unexpected
 If more than 1 minute late, briefly apologize
 If running late, call interviewer from car (pull over!) to let them
know
 If you need to end the interview by a certain time, let the
interviewer know ahead of time
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8. Tip #3 – Treat The Interviewer with Respect
 ALWAYS USE ‘Mr. This’ or ‘Ms. That’
 Or ‘Dr.’ or ‘Colonel’ or whatever if appropriate
 NOT ‘Hi Jim’ or ‘What’s up’, ‘Thanks Dave’, etc.
 Let interviewer say it’s ok to call them something else
 Better too formal than too informal
 Applies to in-person, emails, everywhere
 No backslapping, hugs, fist bumps, etc.
 Only appropriate point of contact: hands
 Cell phone off (or silent) and DON’T check it during
interview
 Do NOT ‘friend’ your interviewer (FB)
 Even if you have a lot in common
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Do NOT hug your
interviewer!
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9. Tip #4 – Dress for Success
 Be you - - a clean, respectful you
 You are NOT in your friend’s basement
 Example: khakis/clean jeans; clean/neat hair
 NO:
 Jeans hanging / boxers exposed
 Hats/caps
 Gum
 Ratty sneakers/jeans/t-shirts
 Revealing clothes or heavy makeup
 Too much Axe or Justin Bieber Girlfriend
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NO!
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10. Tip #5 – Make a Great First Impression
 Stand up to greet the interviewer
 Make eye contact, SMILE!
 Show confidence
 Firm handshake
 Clearly say ‘nice to meet you’
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 In interview, sit up straight, lean slightly
forward, maintain eye contact
 It’s not an interrogation - Have a conversation!
 Bring something to write on/with
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11. Handshake – mini workshop
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  
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12. Tip #6 – Know Why You’re There
(And Why They’re There)
 Remember – they’re doing this because they LOVE their school
(So be enthusiastic - - and don’t call their baby ugly)
 Why are you interested in College X?
 How did you decide where to apply overall?
(Balance of factors: academic, student life, climate, campus)
 What does this have to do with your life interests?
 (of course, how much can you really know when you’re 18?)
 Do your research!!
 Know something about the school - - its strengths, uniqueness,
curriculum, size, etc.
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13. Tip #7 – Show Your Uniqueness
 Who are you? What are you passionate about?
How are you different?
 What do you do/read/explore in your free time?
 What extracurricular activities might you want to
try in college?
 Are you aware of current events? Do you have an
opinion about things?
 What makes you a great candidate for this school?
 Be enthusiastic about what you do!
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14. A Few Possible Questions
 Tell me about some of your extracurricular activities.
 What are some of your favorite classes? Why?
 What did you do last summer?
 If I made you principal of your school, what changes would you make?
 As you think about all of your accomplishments, what are you most proud of?
 If you had an entire day free - no responsibilities, etc. - how would you spend the day?
 If I gave you a three-hour free shopping spree at a bookstore, what kind of books / reading
material would you get? What books would you leave on the shelves?
 If you could take a friend to any place in the world, who would you take and where would
you go? Why?
 If I were a prospective student to your high school, what would you like me to know about
it? What courses, activities, or characteristics would you describe?
 What criteria are you using to choose a college? What is on your "wish list" for the perfect
college? How do you judge the academic strength of a school?
 What event at your school would you say received the most attention /interest?
 Given one hour to talk to the President, what issue/issues would you discuss?
 If you could have a conversation with any three people from the present or from history
who would you choose and why?
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15. Tip #8 – Prepare A Few Good Questions
 Your turn to lead the conversation
 Most questions should be specific to the school
 Avoid superficial stuff (how’s the food)
 Don’t ask about info available online
 Imagine you’ve just been accepted by every
school you applied to
 What would you need to know to make your
college decision?
 Just need a few questions
 But OK to have them written down
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16. Tip #9 – Leave a Good Impression
 Let the interviewer end the interview
 Express your thanks and continued
enthusiasm about the school
 Another firm handshake with eye
contact and a smile
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17. Tip #10 – SEND A THANK YOU PROMPTLY!!
 Join the few, the proud, the candidates who
say thank you!
 Do it immediately after the interview
 Same day if possible
 Preferred: written card/note or e-mail
 Can also call
 Better than nothing: text
 Don’t be afraid to re-contact the interviewer
afterward if you have questions
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18. BONUS TIP - Find other ways to make yourself stand out
 Make contact with someone at/connected with the school
 Example: Contact a sports coach if you have even slight interest
– they might need you!
 Contact leaders of other clubs/activities if you have interest
(newspaper, band, orchestra, chess, debate, poms, etc)
 Speak with a family friend who went to that school
 You never know who someone is connected with!
 Consider using LinkedIn to find connections
 Visit! In person, online, at open houses
 Always register! (so they know you were there)
 Let them know you’re interested!
 But don’t harass or stalk!
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19. 10 College Interviewing Tips - Review
1. Plan Ahead/ Manage your identity
2. Be On Time
3. Treat Interviewer with Respect
4. Dress for Success
5. Make a good first impression (firm handshake!)
6. Know why you’re there
7. Show your uniqueness
8. Prepare a few good questions
9. Leave a good final impression
10. Send a prompt Thank You afterward
BONUS: Find creative ways to connect and demonstrate your interest
You have a lot to offer - - make sure the interviewer knows it!
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20. GOOD LUCK - - YOU’LL DO GREAT!
info@peregrineadvisorsltd.com
773.220.5996
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773.220.5996
info@peregrineadvisorsltd.com
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