Nervous About Your College Interview? This Guide Covers Everything You Need to Know.
College interviews can feel like the most intimidating part of the admissions process, but they don’t have to be.
Whether you’re interviewing with an alum, admissions officer, or current student, you need to be prepared. That’s where my College Interview Guide comes in — a direct, 26-page resource filled with college interview tips, sample answers, and prep strategies that actually work.
I’ve done 14 college interviews myself and spent 6 years coaching students who were later accepted into top-tier schools like Harvard, Yale, Stanford, Columbia, and Penn. As a Yale alum and college consultant, this guide contains everything I’ve learned — my honest advice to help you stand out.
What’s Inside the College Interview Guide?
The most common college admissions interview questions — and how to answer them with confidence
Real examples of successful interview answers that impressed elite schools
The unspoken rules of college interview etiquette — from what to wear to how to follow up
A college interview prep timeline so you know what to focus on, and when
What to do when you don’t know what to say
A bank of 100+ practice interview questions from real students and admissions teams
Why Does Interview Prep Matter?
Even if the interview is “optional,” it can make a difference. A strong interview reinforces your application; a weak one can raise doubts.
Most students make one of these mistakes:
They memorize generic answers that sound robotic
They don’t know how to talk about themselves without rambling
They ask forgettable questions at the end of the interview
They rely on last-minute prep instead of real practice
This guide helps you avoid all of that. It teaches you how to show up as the best version of yourself — prepared and authentically you.
Who Is This Guide For?
High school juniors and seniors preparing for college interviews
Students applying to Ivy+ and top liberal arts colleges
Parents and counselors who want to help students prepare effectively
Anyone who feels nervous or unsure about what to say in an interview
Student-Tested. Ivy-Approved.
This guide is based on real experience. I’ve used these strategies with students who’ve gone on to interview (and get accepted) at: Harvard, Stanford, Yale, Brown, Columbia, the University of Chicago, Tufts, Williams and more.