Best Questions to Ask at a College Interview

Participating in a college admissions interview can be one of the most nerve-racking parts of the college admissions process. You know the interviewer is going to ask you a lot of questions.

What will you say when you reach the end of the interview, and the college admissions counselor asks if you have any questions for them?

You don’t want to be scrambling to think of a question, any question, to ask while the interviewer just stares at you politely!

When preparing for an interview with college admissions staff, students often focus on how they will answer questions about themselves. However, it’s equally important to consider the questions they should ask the admissions staff.

Asking thoughtful and insightful questions can demonstrate a student’s genuine interest in the college and provide valuable information to help make an informed decision about their educational future.

Planning ahead for your college interview and thinking about what questions to ask the admissions counselor at your college interview will make sure you’re ready when they ask what questions you have.

Being prepared with college interview questions will help you get the most out of your meeting with the college representative.

By thinking about questions for the interviewer in advance, you’ll be able to learn more about what really matters to you about each college.

This post will help prospective college students decide which key questions they should ask during their admissions interviews, to ensure they make a positive impression and gain a deeper understanding of what the college has to offer.

These interview tips will help you ask awesome questions at your college interview!

What is a college interview? 

The college interview is an essential part of the college application process for many applicants.

Some colleges prefer that applicants participate in a college interview with an admissions counselor or other college representative on campus.

Some universities offer interviews with college admissions counselors, college alumni, or current college students. 

Many schools offer interviews around the country and even internationally, in areas where they recruit.

The questions your admissions representative asks will vary depending on their role in the admissions process, their relationship with the college, and their perspective on the admissions process. 

Best questions to ask a college interviewer

If you need good questions to ask during a college interview, these lists of interview questions give you lots of choices.

The questions you ask a college interviewer might vary depending on whether you have an interview with a college admissions officer, a graduate of the college, or a current student.

These suggestions of specific questions to ask at a college interview will help you learn more about the university and see if it would be a good fit for you.

Best Questions to ask a college admissions officer

Most interviews will be with college admissions officers who may or may not have attended that college.

College admissions counselors will be reading all the applications, college essays, transcripts, and recommendations for each applicant. Along with the rest of the admissions committee, the college admissions counselor will be making decisions about who gets admitted.

These professionals have a wealth of knowledge about the school, so don’t be afraid to ask hard questions.

Great questions to ask a college admissions officer:

1. What are the specific requirements of my intended major?
2. Are there many opportunities to do research?
3. How do study abroad programs work at this college?
4. Will study abroad be possible with my major?
5. Can you tell me more about clubs/sports/ volunteer opportunities?
6. I am passionate about ____. How would I be able to pursue that passion here?
7. What’s the average class size for my major?
8. I am deeply interested in ____. How would I be able to pursue those academic interests here?
9. How’s the food? What accommodations are there for people with allergies?
10. How does your career services office help students find internships and jobs?
11. Can you tell me more about financial aid offers here?
12. Are there other things you think I should know about the college?
13. Is there anything else I could do to improve my chances of being admitted?

These questions allow a prospective student to learn more about the academic structure and rigor of their intended major, as well as practical opportunities like research and study abroad programs.

An interviewer’s answer can reveal how well the college can accommodate and nurture individual passions and interests, both academically and through extracurricular activities.

By asking about class sizes, food options, and specific student support services, students get a sense of the day-to-day life on campus and the quality of student life and support.

Questions related to career services, internship opportunities, and financial aid help students understand the long-term value and costs of attending the college.

Ultimately, these questions collectively provide a holistic view of what the student can expect, both in and outside the classroom, enabling them to assess whether the college aligns with their academic goals, personal interests, and overall well-being.

Related: How to Answer College Scholarship Interview Questions and Win Money

Best Questions to ask a college interviewer who is an alum

Some colleges offer interviews with alumni to prospective students. Often, it’s the more selective colleges that do this.

These interviews are usually optional. If offered an optional interview with an alum, you should take it because it’s a great way to demonstrate that you’re interested in that college. Turning down such an offer indicates little interest in that college. 

Interviews with a college alum can vary greatly, depending on whether the alum is a recent college graduate (or not!), their occupation, and how they relate with your personal interests.

Alumni interviews can vary in their formality. Interviewers will write up some notes about your interview and send it to the admissions office. 

Alumni interviewers do not have access to your college essay, grades, test scores, or other application materials.

Just remember this is another opportunity for the college to learn something about the college and to let the college learn more about you.

Great Questions to ask an alumni interviewer:

14. What are your favorite campus traditions?
15. How would you describe the campus culture?
16. What was your experience like?
17. What do you wish you’d known when you were a freshman?
18. What changes have you seen at the college since you graduated?
19. What do you love most about this college?
20. What about your alma mater makes you the most proud?
21. How did going to this school help you on your career path?

These questions for alums delve into the heart of the college’s community and traditions, offering a glimpse into the campus culture and the aspects that make it unique and memorable.

Inquiring about the alum’s personal experience and what they wish they had known as a freshman provides valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities a new student might face.

Furthermore, asking about the changes witnessed since graduation can highlight the college’s growth and evolution, indicating its adaptability and progressiveness.

Questions about what the alumni love most about the college and what makes them proud to be an alum reveal the lasting impact and emotional connection one might expect from their college experience.

Overall, these questions help prospective students gain a deeper, more personal understanding of the college, aiding them in making an informed decision about whether the institution aligns with their academic and personal aspirations.

Best Questions to ask a college interviewer who is a student

Often prospective students will have an interview with a current student who works in the admissions office.

While these students may not ultimately make the decisions about who gets admitted, they will be writing a note to put in your file to share their impressions of you with your admissions counselor. Their opinion does matter. 

Also, they can share specific examples of what it’s like to be part of the campus community, current academic programs, what the dining hall food is really like!

Great questions to ask a student interviewer:

22. How would you describe your overall college experience?
23. What are your favorite things to do on campus? Off campus?
24. What extracurricular activities do you participate in?
25. Is on-campus housing guaranteed for all four years? 
26. Is it difficult or expensive to find off-campus housing? 
27. How does Greek life fit into the overall social life at the college?
28. When can students participate in research opportunities?
29. What is diversity actually like on campus?
30. How does the student body here relate to current events?
31. What do you love most about attending this college?
32. What would you have done differently?
33. What does the school do really well (and not so well)?
34. What type of students do well here?

By asking a student interviewer these questions, a prospective student can learn about the real, everyday experiences of current students.

Asking about extracurriculars, academics, and housing logistics provides practical information about the university’s commitment to the well-being of students.

Questions about campus diversity and how the student body relates to current events showcase the college’s cultural environment and its relevance to wider societal issues.

Inquiries about what the student loves most and what they might have done differently can reveal both the positives and potential regrets or gaps in the college experience.

Understanding the school’s strengths and weaknesses, directly from a student’s perspective, can paint a realistic picture of what to expect.

Finally, asking about the types of students who thrive there helps in assessing personal fit and whether the college’s environment aligns with the prospective student’s goals and personality.

Questions Not to Ask at a college interview

Prospective students should avoid these questions at a college interview!

1. Questions with Obvious Answers

Avoid asking questions that can easily be answered with a quick look at the college’s website or brochure. This might give the impression that you haven’t done your homework or aren’t genuinely interested in the college.

2. Questions about Admission Chances

Asking directly about your chances of getting admitted can put the interviewer in an awkward position, as they may not be able to provide a definitive answer and it can come off as presumptuous.

3. Negative Questions

Avoid asking negative questions about the college, such as criticizing its programs, faculty, or campus. It’s important to keep the tone positive and respectful.

4. Too Many Questions

While it’s good to be curious, asking too many questions can overwhelm the interviewer and take up too much time.

5. Overly Personal or Inappropriate Questions

Steer clear of questions that are too personal or delve into inappropriate topics. The interview should remain professional and focused on education and college life.

6. Questions That Show a Lack of Commitment

Questions that suggest you’re not seriously considering the college, such as asking about transfer options immediately, might indicate a lack of commitment or interest in the institution.

Top 5 tips for how to prepare for a college interview

These college interview tips will help you prepare for your interview!

1. Be thoughtful and prepared

Be ready to answer common questions that you would expect in a college admission interview.

Ask questions that demonstrate you’ve done your research on the college. Do plenty of research before your interview, so you are prepared to ask thoughtful questions about the college. 

Don’t ask questions that you could have easily answered yourself by reading the college’s website or doing a quick web search.

2. Be likable

Be personable, polite, and a good listener. Ask your interviewer about themselves and their experiences at that college.

If you build rapport with your interviewer, they will remember you positively after the interview. 

3. Emphasize the academics

While you may have a lot of question about campus life and the culture of the college, be sure to start out with questions about academics.

Each college is evaluating you to see if you would be a good student at their college.

Ask questions that demonstrate you will be a serious student, committed to studying and learning. 

4. Ask questions that reveal interesting things about you

If you’ve participated in an activity that’s particularly interesting, quirky, or unusual, ask if that’s something you would have an opportunity to continue doing at that college.

This allows you to tell the admissions officer things about yourself that won’t necessarily be part of your application packet. 

5. Be true to your interests

Ask questions that you particularly want to know about the college.

Remember, while the admissions counselor is deciding if you would be a good fit at that college, you are deciding if that college would be a good fit for you. 

6. Practice

The best way to prepare for an interview with a college representative is to do mock interviews. Recruit a friend or family member to ask you college admissions interview questions.

Pretend that it’s the real university interview. Make eye contact, sit up straight, and make a good first impression.

Practice answering common college interview questions until you feel completely comfortable with your answers to all kinds of questions.

What are the two types of college interviews?

Evaluative Interviews

Evaluative interviews allow colleges to assess how you would fit the culture of the college. In these interviews, college admissions representatives try to get a sense for your personality, communication skills, interests, and character.

Evaluative interviews are a key component of your application. 

Informational Interviews

Informational interviews are an opportunity for you to learn more about the college, ask questions of the admissions officer or someone else representing the college, and demonstrate your interest.

Often these interviews have less impact on your admission decision. However, do your best to make a good impression.

Why have an interview with college admissions representatives?

College interviews are almost always optional. If the colleges you’re applying to offer them, you should participate.

If you are offered an interview at your dream school, you should participate in the interview process because doing so shows that you really are interested in the school.

While not participating in an optional interview won’t hurt your chances of admission at most schools, many colleges strongly recommend that applicants have an interview with a college admissions representative to improve their chances of admission. 

A college admissions interview is just one more step in completing college applications.

Having an interview with a college admissions counselor or representatives indicates that you are interested in that college. And the interview lets the college learn more about you. 

What to expect during a college admissions interview? 

A college admissions interview can be in person or virtual, on campus, at your high school, or even at a coffee shop in your hometown. It will probably last 20 to 60 minutes. 

A college interview will be a free-flowing conversation. The college admissions representative will ask you questions about yourself, your interests, your high school experience, and your future plans and career goals.

The interviewer will also tell you more about their college and what it offers. 

It is almost guaranteed that the college admissions counselor or representative will ask if you have any questions for them.

By asking questions of the admissions counselor in an interview, you demonstrate engagement, interest, and sincerity in your application.

Will parents be part of a college interview?

Parents might be invited into the interview for a few minutes. If a parent is invited into the interview, they should let the student do the talking.  

It is best if the interview includes only the college admissions representative and the prospective student. Students should come to the interview prepared, confident, and ready to ask their own questions.

Colleges want to know that you’re ready for college and can handle things with your parents’ help—and an interview is your first chance to show them that you are!

Final thoughts on what questions to ask at a college interview

Navigating a college admissions interview can be a daunting experience, but it becomes significantly less intimidating when you go in prepared with a set of meaningful questions.

Remember, the interview is not just an opportunity for the college to learn about you, but also for you to learn about the college. The questions you ask can provide crucial insights into the academic environment, social atmosphere, and overall vibe of the institution.

By asking thoughtful questions, you’ll show the admissions staff your proactive approach and demonstrate genuine interest. You’ll also arm yourself with the information necessary to make the best decision for your educational journey.

Prepare for your college interview by choosing great questions to ask an admissions counselor, current student, or a college alum.

Be curious and confident. Use the questions you ask in the college admissions interview to share more about yourself, your interests, and your values.

Having a list of questions ready for your college interview will help you learn more about the college and make a good impression on the admissions representative. (Remember to thank the interviewer for their time!)

Ultimately, asking the right questions can pave the way to finding the college that’s the perfect fit for you.

Good luck with your interview!