Interviews

Need a refresher on some tips and tricks about conducting an interview? We got you! Here are some of the tips and tricks that we use in our admissions office.

• Students may provide you with a resume/transcript for the interview.  Review them briefly, feel free to ask questions about them.  After the interview, give those materials to the operations staff.
• Feel free to provide the contact information of an additional college resource (for example: athletics brochure if student wants to contact the coach, business card of the students regional counselor, tour guide card of a member of the equestrian team, etc).
• Note-taking: highly recommended.  Not feel you need to write everything down word for word, as that can be intimidating to a student.  Just be sure to write enough so that you remember the conversation and observations. 
• DO NOT stress over TIME.  Generally, interviews last about 30 minutes.  It is ok to go longer or shorter.
• Do not ask any question which you would not want to be asked.
• Please don’t make negative comparisons to other colleges. Instead, emphasize Dickinson’s strengths and what was special for you in your Dickinson experience.
• Present information about Dickinson accurately and in a positive manner. This does not mean you should avoid information that is not positive. Students appreciate honest answers to difficult questions.
• Do not ask what other colleges a student is considering or whether Dickinson is his/her first choice. It’s fine if that information comes out naturally, but it is not important for the admissions committee to know this information.
• Leave time for the students’ questions. Some students will come with a list. Others will not have any, in which case you should be ready to keep the conversation going or wrap it up.
• At the end of the interview, be sure to ask the student if there is any important information about her/himself that they have not had a chance to talk about, but would like to.