Because of the increasing number of applicants, more and more colleges are starting to tap their network of alumni to conduct prospective student interviews in place of on-campus interviews. As an alumni interviewer for my undergraduate alma mater — Dartmouth College — for many years now, I want to provide you with a first-hand peek into the process. This post gives you a full list of alumni interview questions. 

I’ll start by saying that every college prepares its interviewers slightly differently. Some give loose guidelines about how to approach the discussion with the student while others provide far greater specificity in what the interviewer is supposed to do and ask. 

Further, depending on the location in which you are interviewed, the volunteer alumni interviewers may have more or less training in how to successfully interview candidate for admission. 

In all cases, however, the goal of the interview is to humanize the application process. Understanding what makes a student unique can be very difficult to glean from the black and white pages of an application. The interview can shed light on how a student thinks and interacts thereby presenting the real, whole person, not just words on a page. 

Need more info on how to prepare for the alumni interview? Click here. 

How does the interviewer get to understand the whole person during the interview? By asking lots of questions, of course! Interviewers may try to explore many different aspects of the student’s world from academics to extracurriculars to personal life to future plans to level of interest in the college. 

So, what kind of alumni interview questions can students expect when they sit across the table from me? Here are some examples: 

Alumni Interview Questions About Academics/High School Experience 

• Tell me what courses you’ve taken and if you have a favorite or least favorite one. If you do, why is it your favorite/least favorite subject? 

• What do you think are the strengths/weaknesses of your high school? 

• If you had to go back and do your high school experience all over again, what would you change and why? 

• Do you have a favorite teacher? If so, why is he/she your favorite?  What makes the teacher good? 

• Have you encountered a particular academic challenge during your years in high school? If so, what was it and how did you handle it? 

• Is there something that you will always remember from your high school experience? 

• If you could create your own course in high school, what would it be and why is it of interest to you? 

• Tell me about a particularly “hot” issue that has arisen in your high school and your thoughts on it. 

• If your teachers were to describe you to me, what words would they use? 

• Can you discuss a project or paper that you were particularly proud of during your high school career? 

• What are you doing to challenge yourself either in school or out of school? 

• Name a book you’ve read recently outside of school. Did you like it/dislike it? (Note: this is one of the most common alumni interview questions). 

Extracurriculars and Interests 

• What are your most notable interests and hobbies, and how are you pursuing them? 

• What activities are you involved in at school? Which are the most important to you? 

• What have you personally gotten out of your involvement in your activities? 

• Do you have what you would consider to be any particularly unique interests? 

• Are there any accomplishments that you are particularly proud of with respect to your activities? 

• How have you spent your summers while in high school? 

Alumni Interview Questions About Personal Life 

• How would you describe your hometown? 

• Tell me about your family. 

• What words would your friends use to describe you? 

• What is your most embarrassing moment? 

• Tell me what 3 books I’d have to read to get a better sense of who you are. 

• Talk about an ethical dilemma that you’ve faced and how you’ve handled it. (Note: This is one of those alumni interview questions that also can appear as an essay question on the application). 

• If you had one year and unlimited funds, what would you do? 

• How do you want people to remember you? 

• If you had a weekend with absolutely nothing scheduled, how would you spend your time? 

• What’s your opinion on (a current event)? 

• What would you change about yourself? 

• Do you have a “bucket list”? What are some things about it? 

• Do you have a hero/heroine? If so, who and why do you hold him/her in such high esteem? 

College/Future Plans 

• How would you contribute to life on a college campus? 

• What are you looking forward to most about college? 

• Do you have an idea about what you would like to major in? 

• What would you like to do after college? 

Alumni Interview Questions About School Interest 

• If you were standing in front of the admissions committee, what would you tell them to convince them to admit you? What makes you unique? 

• Describe the kind of college environment you are looking for. 

• Why are you interested in my school? 

• Why do you think that my school is a good fit for you? 

• What have I not told you that you want to know about the school? (a.k.a. What questions do you have for me?) 

While you can’t anticipate every question that an interviewer might ask, the questions above give you a good sampling of areas that your interviewer might explore. Spending some time pondering these alumni interview questions can go a long way to preparing yourself before you have your interview. 

Andrea Aronson 

College Admissions Advisor, Westfield NJ 

Ready to get started with the college admissions process?

The team at Great College Advice has deep experience in guiding students along the road from high school college. We provide individually tailored, one-on-one advising to help students achieve their college dreams. If you’d like more information about our services, contact us for a free consultation. Or just pick up the phone and call us at 720.279.7577.  We’d be happy to chat with you.

Since 2007, the expert team of college admissions consultants at Great College Advice has provided comprehensive guidance to thousands of students from across the United States and over 45 countries across the world. Great College Advice has offices in Colorado, New Jersey, Chicago, North Carolina and Massachusetts.   

In addition to our one-on-one counseling, Great College Advice extends its support through one of the most active and resource-rich Facebook Groups for college-bound students and their families: College Admissions Experts. With nearly 100,000 members—students, parents, and experienced counselors—this vibrant forum offers peer support and expert advice like no other. 

The post What to Expect in Your College Alumni Interview first appeared on College Admission Counseling.

Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about how to get into college.  

1. What is the best summer program that will make my application stand out?

This is actually not the right question to ask. The right question is ‘what is the best way to achieve something great?’ Choose programs that you would enjoy putting energy into and try to make a real difference. This will give you a better chance at getting into the college you want.

2. Which is better? Top grades or rigorous coursework?

The reality is both. Top grades in rigorous coursework are the best way to demonstrate to a college that you are prepared for the further rigors of academic life on a college campus.

3. Which club(s) should I join?

Join a club, team or society whose mission aligns with your interests and goals. Again, try to make a difference. Don’t just participate, lead and stand out. This will help you stand out on your college application.

4. What is a good SAT / ACT score?

You want to earn the highest score you possibly can. This means you must prepare ahead of time. Take the preparatory classes, take the practice exams. Learn as much as you can about how to earn a high score and do your best.

5. How much community service must I do?

You do not necessarily have to participate in community service at all in order to get into college. What you need to do is stand out in your extracurricular activities. So, choose activities you enjoy, so you will be more likely to invest your time and talent in them. Be sure to check out must I do community service to get into a good college for more information.

6. What’s the most important academic activity?

Read books. Read for class, and outside of class. One of the most common traits of academically successful students is that they read for enjoyment outside of their regular academic coursework. Of course, do your homework, and complete it on time. Give yourself ample time to study for exams in order to get the best grades that you can. But reading is the best way to expand your mind.

7. Is getting good recommendation letters one of the best ways to get into college?

It is advisable to get three letters of recommendation although colleges do have different requirements. Typically, a college wants to see two recommendations from teachers and one from your school counselor. The best way to receive a good recommendation is to put forth effort in those classes, participate, collaborate, and to get to know your teachers outside of the classroom. Talk to them before and after class, about anything. Let them know about your interests. Show them you are motivated to succeed in life and they will be more than happy to share that information in the form of a recommendation letter.

8. What’s the best way to prepare for the English portions of the ACT or SAT?

Read books. This is the answer to two of these questions for a reason. It is that important. It’s a great indicator of academic success and it’s a great way to learn outside the classroom. Yes, it expands your mind, but in answer to this specific question, it expands your vocabulary. This is of crucial importance for the English portion of the ACT or SAT.

9. What’s the best extracurricular activity to pursue?

Pursue activities you enjoy. It is in those areas where you are most likely to put in real effort, and where you are most likely to truly excel. This is what college admission officers want to see. Mere participation in extracurricular activities pales in comparison to demonstrations of leadership in those activities. Go where you want to make a difference and then make that difference.

10. Should I apply Early Decision?

Applying early decision (ED) is an option but only if you are truly competitive for acceptance into that school. It is not a random lottery. Schools are looking to lock in top performers and get an idea of the remaining spots they have open for the regular admissions process. It’s also a great way for you to put the stress of the college application process behind you sooner than later. But again, if you wonder about your ability to get accepted into a school or program, or feel like it is a stretch for you, do not apply early decision. 

Have more questions about the best ways to get into college?

Do you have questions about how to get into college? Let the experts at Great College Advice help you navigate the complicated and sometimes confusing world of college applications. We have several tiers of services we can provide that can fit any budget. With our years of experience in the world of college applications, we’ve helped thousands of students get into the college of their dreams. We can help you, too!

Contact us today for a complimentary consultation.

Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in June 2023 and has been updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

The post 10 Questions About The Best Ways To Get into College first appeared on College Admission Counseling.