The College Interview: Your Chance to Tell the Stories Your Application Doesn’t

Your college application tells admissions officers what you’ve accomplished. Your interview gives you a chance to show them who you are.

You’ve spent months putting together your application, choosing which activities to highlight, writing essays, and trying to fit years of experiences into strict word limits. But there’s only so much you can share in a 650-word personal essay or a 150-character activity description.

Maybe there’s a story behind an extracurricular activity that didn’t fit. Maybe you have an unusual hobby, an unexpected academic interest, or a question you’ve been thinking about for months.

These are the kinds of things that can turn an ordinary college interview into a memorable conversation.

So how do you make the most of that opportunity?

Good college interview preparation isn’t about memorizing perfect answers. It’s about knowing which stories to share and how to turn them into a genuine conversation.

1. Go Beyond Your College Application

Your interviewer may have access to some of your application materials, or they may know very little about you. Either way, your interview is an opportunity to add depth to your experiences rather than simply list your accomplishments.

Imagine you’re asked, “Tell me about an activity that’s important to you.”

Answer A: “I’m president of student government, captain of the tennis team, and a member of National Honor Society. I’ve developed strong leadership and time-management skills.”

Answer B: “When I first joined student government, our meetings weren’t very interesting. Everyone just waited for the president to tell us what to do. When I became president, I wanted to change that. I started asking everyone to bring one idea to each meeting. Some were terrible, but a few turned into our best events.”

Both students have leadership experience. But the second answer reveals personality, initiative, and a sense of humor. It also gives the interviewer something to ask about.

ICC Tip: Before your interview, think of three experiences that have shaped you. They don’t have to be your biggest accomplishments. Often, smaller stories reveal more about your personality and character.

2. Talk About What You Love, Even if It’s Not Academic

Colleges want to get to know the whole person, not just the student they see on paper.

Maybe you love cooking elaborate breakfasts on weekends. Maybe you’re obsessed with Formula 1, collect vintage cameras, or taught yourself to play guitar. These interests may not have made it into your Common App, but they can make for interesting conversations.

Notice how different these two answers sound when an interviewer asks, “What do you enjoy doing outside of school?”

Answer A: “I enjoy spending time with friends, reading, and volunteering.”

Answer B: “Every Sunday, I try to make something I’ve never cooked before. Last weekend, I attempted homemade pasta. It took three hours, and the kitchen was a disaster, but my family loved it.”

The second answer gives the interviewer a glimpse of what makes you, well, you.

ICC Tip: Ask yourself, “What could I talk about for 20 minutes without getting bored?” That might be a great interview topic.

3. Show How You Think, Not Just What You Know

Interviewers aren’t necessarily looking for students who have all the answers. They may be just as interested in how you approach questions, explore ideas, and respond when something challenges your thinking.

For example, if you’re interested in economics, you could say:

“I’m passionate about economics and interested in how markets work.”

Or you could say:

“I started wondering why concert tickets get so expensive, even when the original prices seem reasonable. That got me interested in how supply, demand, and resale markets work.”

The second answer shows genuine curiosity. It also creates an opening for a conversation.

You can talk about a book that changed your perspective, a class discussion that left you with questions, or something you’ve recently tried to understand. And if an interviewer asks something unexpected, it’s fine to pause and think. You don’t need a perfectly polished response to every question.

ICC Tip: Think of something you’ve learned recently that surprised you. Be ready to explain why it caught your attention and what you did to learn more.

4. Share a Story About Something That Didn’t Go as Planned

Not every story needs a happy ending or an impressive accomplishment.

Maybe you organized a fundraiser that attracted fewer people than expected. Perhaps you tried out for a team and didn’t make it. Or maybe you took on a responsibility and realized you weren’t as prepared as you thought.

These experiences can tell an interviewer something important about you. What did you do next? Did you ask for help? Change your approach? Learn something about yourself?

You don’t need to turn every setback into a dramatic life lesson. Sometimes, a simple, honest reflection is enough.

ICC Tip: Prepare one story about a challenge, mistake, or unexpected experience. Focus less on what went wrong and more on how you responded.

5. Make Your College Interview a Conversation, Not a Performance

Many students prepare for college interviews by practicing answers to common questions. That’s smart, but there’s a difference between being prepared and sounding rehearsed.

If you memorize an answer to “Why do you want to attend our college?” you may deliver a polished response. But what happens when the interviewer asks a follow-up question you weren’t expecting?

The best interviews often feel more like conversations than formal question-and-answer sessions. Listen carefully. Respond to what the interviewer says. Ask follow-up questions when something interests you.

For example, if your interviewer mentions having studied abroad, you might ask what surprised them most about the experience. If they talk about a favorite professor, ask what made that class memorable. You may discover something about the college that you couldn’t learn from its website.

ICC Tip: Practice speaking naturally about your experiences instead of memorizing scripts. Ask a parent, counselor, or friend to conduct a mock interview and include some unexpected questions.

6. Ask Thoughtful College Interview Questions

The interview isn’t just an opportunity for a college to learn about you. It’s also a chance for you to learn about the college. Most interviewers will give you time to ask questions. Take advantage of it.

If the interviewer is a graduate of the college, rather than asking questions you could easily find the answers to online, consider asking:

• What surprised you most about the college once you arrived?
• Was there a class or professor who changed how you thought about something?
• What was your favorite campus tradition?
• What kind of student do you think thrives at the school?
• If you could go back and start college again, what would you do differently?

These questions can lead to interesting conversations and give you a better sense of whether the school is a good fit.

Remember, you’re making an important decision, too.

7. Keep the Interview in Perspective

Not every college offers interviews, and the role they play in admissions varies by school.

Some interviews are conducted by admissions officers, while others are led by alumni or current students. Some are evaluative, meaning the conversation may contribute to the admissions decision. Others are primarily informational.

At many colleges, interviews are offered based on interviewer availability. Not receiving an invitation doesn’t necessarily mean anything about your chances of admission. If you do receive an invitation, take it seriously, prepare thoughtfully, and enjoy the opportunity.

And if you stumble over an answer or leave thinking of something you wish you’d said, don’t panic. Interviewers know they’re speaking with high school students, not professional public speakers.

A great conversation doesn’t require perfection.

The Best College Interview Sounds Like You

Think about the people you’ve enjoyed talking with most. Chances are, they weren’t the ones who recited a list of accomplishments or had a polished response to every question.

They told interesting stories. They asked thoughtful questions. They listened. They let their personalities come through. That’s what you should aim for in your college interview.

Your application may tell a college that you’re an excellent student, a dedicated athlete, a talented musician, or an involved community member.

Your interview is your chance to show the person behind those accomplishments.

For more information about the interview process, including the types of interviews colleges offer and what to expect, read our earlier article, College Admissions Interviews: What They Are and Why They Matter.

Practice Makes for a More Confident Conversation

At International College Counselors, we offer mock college interviews with an experienced interview specialist who helps students prepare for the real thing.

Students practice answering common and unexpected questions, learn how to tell compelling stories without sounding rehearsed, and get personalized feedback on their responses, body language, and communication skills. They’ll also learn how to handle difficult questions, ask thoughtful questions of their own, and keep the conversation flowing naturally.

Have a college interview coming up? Contact International College Counselors to schedule a mock interview. Get personalized feedback, practice answering tough questions, and build the confidence to make a great impression.