What Should I Ask My College Interviewer?

“Do you have any questions for me?”

This might feel like a polite wrap-up to your college interview — but it’s actually one of the most valuable parts. Not just for them. For you.

Asking thoughtful questions helps you:

• Learn things you genuinely want to know

• Show that you’ve done your research

• Stand out as someone who’s seriously interested

Interviewers can tell the difference between a student who’s asking something they think they’re supposed to ask and someone who’s actually curious.

Tip: Tailor your questions to your interviewer

Not all interviewers are the same. If your interviewer is:

• An alum → Ask about their student experience

• An admissions officer or current student → Ask about the school more broadly

• A faculty member → Ask about academics, programs, or research

Questions I Actually Asked in My Own Interviews

I had 14 college interviews — and every time, I prepared 2–3 personalized questions. Here are a few I asked that sparked great conversations:

• “In high school I studied Latin, so I didn’t get a chance to learn any modern languages. In college, I’d love to — ideally by studying abroad. Did you study abroad while you were at Vanderbilt? Is that common there?”

• “Coming from NYC, I’m not super familiar with Greek life, but I’m tentatively interested. Were you involved? What was the culture like at your school?”

• “I heard there’s a tradition at Northwestern of painting a big rock on campus. Did you ever participate? What other traditions did you love?”

• “I’m interested in taking a gap year. Do you know anyone who did that before coming to Northwestern? Was the school supportive?”

• “I’m curious about the Directed Studies program at Yale — did you or any of your friends do it?”

• “How did you like the Open Curriculum at Brown?”

Final Thoughts: Ask with Authenticity

Ask something that you actually want to know. If you’re excited about a program, tradition, or opportunity — bring it up.It shows that you’ve done your homework and that you care.

Want more interview prep?
In my 26-page College Interview Guide, I give you:

• The exact questions that come up most often (and how to prep)

• Tips for answering without sounding rehearsed

• 100+ practice questions — including curveballs and creative prompts

• Advice drawn from coaching students for 4+ years and doing 14 interviews myself

Check out the guide here and walk into your interview ready to ask and answer with confidence.