Student Interview
The better I know you, the more I am able to help you.
Think of an application package like a peacock. It is most attractive when all of its beautifully colorful feathers are showing. Similarly, an applicant is more compelling to an admissions committee if all of the wonderful and unique facets about them are shared in the admissions process. Applicants can do this through the application itself, their resume, essays, interviews, letters of recommendation and more.
To best serve my students, I conduct a thorough interview of about three hours to get to know every facet of my student's life. This allows me to more effectively help my students in building college lists, enhancing resumes, brainstorming and developing compelling essay topics, preparing for interviews, and more. A copy of the notes from these sessions can be reviewed by the student and then shared with your school to be used when writing counselor or teacher recommendations.
This interview is held between the student and counselor only and everything discussed will remain confidential, unless otherwise specified.
Sample Interview Questions:
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Academics
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What are your favorite/strongest subjects? What do you specifically like about these subjects?
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How do you study?
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What challenges have you overcome academically, if any?
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What is your proudest academic accomplishment?
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What academic or learning opportunities have you pursued outside of school?
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Extracurricular Activities
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Describe your extracurricular activities (clubs, sports, volunteering, jobs, camp, youth groups) outside of the classroom, including any leadership positions or accomplishments.
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Describe any hobbies that you may have that are not a formal activity and explain their importance to you.
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Life Obstacles/Challenges
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Have you had any major life obstacles or challenges (medical, personal, family) that have set you back or that you have had to overcome?
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Analysis and discussion of various personality/strengths assessment results
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Multiple Intelligences
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Strengths Assessment
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Personality Assessment
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Love Languages
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Values
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What are your strongest values? What do they mean to you? Why are they important? How do you demonstrate these values in your daily life.
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Other topics include: Family, Background (hometown, previous homes), School Community, Social Life, Media Consumption, Current Events/Issues, Religion, and more!
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why do you conduct a 3-hour student interview for college counseling?
Like a peacock showing its colorful feathers, a standout application highlights every facet of a student. Our 3-hour deep dive uncovers personal achievements, values, learning styles, and challenges to craft compelling essays, resumes, and interview strategies.
2. Is the information shared during the student interview kept confidential?
Yes. The interview is strictly confidential between student and counselor, with agreed-upon information shared with parents in family planning meetings. However, students receive a copy of the notes and can choose to share them with their school counselors to assist in writing detailed recommendation letters.
3. What personality and strengths assessments do you use during the process?
To understand what drives each student, we analyze Multiple Intelligences, Strengths Assessments, Personality Assessments, Love Languages, and Core Values. These tools help us map out an authentic foundation for their entire college search.