Mastering University Admission Interviews: A Guide for Students

student celebrating passing the university admission interview

Imagine that you are preparing for an important interview for university admission.

Admission Interview

University entrance interviews allow the university to choose suitable candidates and remove unsuitable candidates. Suitable student are

  • motivated
  • interested in the subject / university
  • ‘fit in’ with others

And, unsuitable students are

  • unmotivated – doesn’t know why they are applying
  • incapable (educationally, language, socially)

Admission Interview Process

There is normally a panel of interviewers such as three people including a person from the admissions process and two academics.

For (English as a Second Language) ESL students and International students, the ability to understand the English questions is very important.

In a simple way there are 3 parts:

  1. introduction – explains the purpose of the interview
  2. questions about the department and university, reasons for choosing the establishment
  3. personal interests, expectations, and future goals.

So, you need to understand the department (college), the university, and the course that you are applying.

Admission Interview Tips

  • Be Concise
  • Show Enthusiasm
  • Relevant
  • Try to connect your answers back to the position or program you’re applying for.
    • Example: If asked about strengths, relate them to skills essential for success in the chosen field of study.
  • Promote yourself
    • State specific achievements or instances where you’ve demonstrated skills relevant to the question.
    • Example: “In my internship, I successfully led a team through a challenging project, showcasing my leadership and problem-solving skills.“
  • When asked about overcoming challenges, describe the Situation, Task, Action, and Result of a specific instance.

Preparation about you

  • think of interesting facts about you
  • what is your greatest achievement?
  • what are you most proud about yourself?
  • have you even done something ‘good’ in your life?
    • winning
    • helping others
  • What is the one thing that you are most interested in, such as a hobby or goal for the future?

Preparation Exercise

In groups of 4

  • discuss what questions you think might be in the interview
  • highlight any questions you are not sure how to answer

class will gather these questions together

  • discuss answers to these questions for you
  • discuss answers to these questions for other group members

class will discuss these together

Admission Interview Questions

  • Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
  • What motivated you to choose our university and department?
  • How did you learn about our program?
  • What aspects of our department’s curriculum interest you the most?
  • How do you see yourself contributing to the university community?
  • Can you discuss a challenging academic situation you faced and how you overcame it?
  • What extracurricular activities or hobbies do you enjoy outside of academics?
  • How do you envision utilizing your degree after graduation?
  • Describe a situation where you worked effectively as part of a team.
  • What unique qualities or experiences do you bring to our university?
  • How do you plan to adapt to a new cultural and academic environment different from your home country?
  • Can you share an example of a time when you demonstrated leadership skills?
  • What specific resources or facilities at our university attracted you?
  • How do you manage your time and prioritize tasks to meet deadlines?
  • What are your short-term and long-term academic and career goals?
  • Discuss a book, research paper, or project that has influenced your academic interests.
  • How do you handle stress and pressure in academic settings?
  • What do you think sets you apart from other applicants?
  • Can you describe a situation where you had to overcome a language barrier, and what did you learn from it?
  • How do you plan to contribute to the diversity and exclusivity of our university community?

Admission Interview Answers

Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

1.”I’m an good learner with a passion for environmental science. I grew up in a multicultural environment, which sparked my interest in global issues. In high school, I actively participated in science clubs and community service projects.”

2.”I’m a dedicated student pursuing a degree in computer science. My fascination with coding began in high school when I developed a mobile app for a local charity. In my free time, I enjoy exploring new programming languages and contributing to open-source projects.”

3.”I come from a small town where I was exposed to various art forms. I’m a literature enthusiast, and my dream is to merge technology with creativity. During my gap year, I worked on a blog that combined storytelling with interactive media.”

What motivated you to choose our university and department?

1.”Your university’s strong emphasis on research aligns perfectly with my academic goals. The innovative projects carried out by the faculty in the computer science department, especially in artificial intelligence, have inspired me to be a part of this dynamic academic community.”

2.”I was drawn to your business program because of its strong connections with industry leaders. The internship opportunities and guest lectures offered by your department will provide me with practical insights and networking opportunities that are crucial for my future career in marketing.”

3.”Your university’s commitment to fostering a global perspective deeply resonated with me. The diversity on campus and the international exchange programs will not only enrich my academic experience but also contribute to my personal growth.”

How did you learn about our program?

1.”I first learned about your program through extensive research online. Your university’s website provided comprehensive information about the curriculum, faculty, and student achievements. I was particularly impressed by the success stories of graduates in the field I aspire to enter.”

2.”I attended a college fair where your university had a booth. The representative I spoke to highlighted the unique aspects of your program, and the informative brochure further convinced me that this is the ideal place to pursue my academic and career goals.”

3.”A family friend who graduated from your university recommended the program to me. Their positive experience, coupled with my own investigation into the program’s offerings and achievements, solidified my decision to apply.”

Interview Preparation Lesson

student A ask questions, student B answers the questions, 1 minute
SWAP
student B ask questions, student A answers the questions, 1 minute

  1. Move all the chairs / & tables to the side of the room
  2. Put a row of 6 chairs facing 6 chairs in the middle of the room
  3. Now put another rows of 6 pairs of chairs facing each other (now have 12*2 chairs)

  4. Student swap seats ever 2 minutes

For examples:

  • 4 groups of 6 students
  • group 1,2,3 & 4
  • pairs of groups interviewing each other
    • 1 to 2, 3 to 4
    • 1 to 3, 2 to 4
    • 1 to 4, 2 to 3

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