Gauri Chhabra
Who said getting into a college was easy? You need to be armed with good score, a good resume and an encyclopedic mind that knows all that has happened on this earth, be able to discuss it in a group and also ace the Personal Interview. Is the personal Interview all that personal? I mean, they can ask you anything under the sun and expect you to blurt it out with all facts and figures as if they have googled the information. This is what all youngsters go through while seeking admissions to a college or a University.
It’s no wonder it appears so daunting: it determines not just the course of the next few years, but possibly your entire career. But there is no reason to fear because there are steps you can take to ace the university interview.
While the format of interviews varies widely – from the audition-led to a focus on in-depth subject knowledge – these steps hold good for pretty much all of them.
Here are some of these:
It all starts with filling the application form:
This often is the first step in the admission process. An application form is not just a way of getting an interview in the first place, but often forms the basis of the interview itself.The first thing to remember is that it’s important not to lie, because chances are you will be found out. Fill in your marks accurately, do not try to window dress or inflate anything. Even if you’re just exaggerating, keep it plausible and don’t stray too far from the truth.
Be natural. Do not pose something that you are not. There is not sanity in flaunting about your hobby as reading when you have not gone beyond your school curriculum. Believe me, if you are not a book lover, you will be found out in no time. Instead, make sure you feel confident talking about anything on your form. It might look good on paper, but if it’s going to give you sleepless nights before the interview it’s just not worth it.
Know where you want to go:
Interviewers will tend to take your subject knowledge for granted, but what they’re looking for is why you chose a particular field of study. For instance, if you take up B. Com Professional, why so? What would you do after graduating from college? Have you carved a road map for yourself? In case you are able to answer these questions confidently, you would stand out from the crowd. So as well as being on top of your course, read around the subject you’re interested in. What are the latest developments? How has it changed? What is likely to happen next? Where would you like to see it go?
That doesn’t mean you should know everything – because then there would be no point in going to university – but it shows you take an interest in where the subject is going.
Cruise through the course content:
You should have done this already when deciding where to apply, but interview preparation is a good time to revisit.Make sure you are familiar with both the content and the structure of the course: what will you study? What options are there? How will you be assessed?Not only will this mean you will be able to talk with confidence about what you’ll be doing, but it could also provide a good launch-pad for questions.
Find out about the admission procedure:
The university should make it clear when inviting you for an interview exactly what form it will take, but if they don’t you need to find out.Some universities ask students to prepare a short presentation or take part in a group exercise. If this information isn’t online then contact them and ask. Make sure you know exactly what’s in store. There’s nothing worse than arriving at an interview to find it’s going in an unexpected direction.
Stress yourself:
You heard me right-one of the worst things you can do in this situation is to try and force yourself to calm down. Instead tell yourself-” I am excited”. How is it that a simple sentence could have such a pronounced effect? The feeling of anxiety is closely related to the feeling of excitement. They are both agitated states-meaning our bodies and minds are pumped up-but with different emotional perspectives. Anxiety is agitation that is draining, negative, and pessimistic, whereas excitement is agitation that is energizing, positive, and optimistic. Calmness, on the other hand, is on the opposite end of the spectrum from these two emotions-so shifting from an agitated state to a serene state is about as realistic as folding yourself in half.But, by reframing your nervous energy as excited energy, you can still feel amped up-just in a way that helps you perform better instead of a way that hinders you. Fooling yourself into believing this can be as simple as reminding yourself to get excited.
Find a topic you can talk about
It’s not only the interviewees who can find them a trial: interviewers may not relish them either. You can make it easier for everyone if you prepare something – maybe even rehearse a conversation – so you can talk about a topic that interests you.And once you get onto that topic, don’t be afraid to keep talking about it. Tutors like students who are able to speak with enthusiasm, whatever the subject. And don’t worry about going on too long: they will make it clear when it’s time to move along.
Prepare for open ended questions:
Remember that sometimes there are no right answers.Some universities, particularly the more exclusive ones, want to see that students will be able to cope with the demands of an intensive degree programs. To that end, candidates can expect to be asked some difficult questions.
Often, however, the interviewer is not so much interested in whether you get the right answer, but in how you approach the question. What they are looking for is to see how you cope with the situation.
So take your time and try to work out what they’re driving at. It doesn’t matter if you get it ‘wrong’ as long as your answer shows you have thought about it. Remember that while the questions might be tricky, they’re not trying to trick you.
Ask questions:
One of the hardest parts of any interview – and this includes job interviewees – is when you’re asked if you have any questions. Make sure you have some prepared as well as asking any that crop up during the interview.This is your chance to find out if the college is really for you, so take the opportunity to resolve any lingering doubts or concerns.Fruitful areas for questions include the destinations of previous students, the amount of contact time with tutors and opportunities for project work. Don’t be afraid to ask about the non-academic side: the tutors know you’re not just interested in the lecture hall.A word of warning though: don’t ask a question if you could have found out the answer with a quick trisp to their website. That won’t impress anyone.
Do a dry run:
Ok, so it’s impossible to fully recreate the whole interview experience, but you can get close. Many schools will hold mock interviews, ideally with staff that aren’t known to you. Some have links with other schools or universities so you can be interviewed by somebody you’ve never even seen before. Take these seriously and prepare as you would for the real thing, otherwise there’s little point in doing them. Be in touch with past students who have gone on to university. Even if their experience turns out to be wildly different, seeing that regular human beings can come through this ordeal unscathed will itself be reassuring.
Put most of these into practice and you’ll be well on the way to winning that place. Do them all and there’s no reason why you shouldn’t ace that interview. It might seem daunting, but when you’re waiting outside that door, ready to go, you’ll be glad you put the work in now. And remember, it’s very difficult to over-prepare.
Remember, it’s never been easy and never would be. So, gear yourself up and brace for the challenge called personal interview.
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