6 Tips Guaranteed To Nail A University Interview
The Interview is stage two of getting into university. Not every course has one but if yours does, make sure you’re prepared to ace it with these great tips.
- Body language
You only ever have one chance to make a good first impression and how you present yourself says a lot about your commitment to the university. Dress appropriately, make sure your chair posture isn’t lacking and be enthusiastic; hopefully can get the interviewer to smile or even laugh, nothing wrong with showing positivity or having a sense of humour.
2. Do your research
The worst taboo you can commit is turning up to an interview having no prior knowledge of what you’re walking into. The basic research you should really get to grips with is the basics of your course and why it interests you, and the university.
3. Prepare questions
No one is expecting you to bring a clipboard and usurp the interviewer but prepare a couple mental questions that demonstrate an interest in the university and the course itself. You are spending your time and money there for the foreseeable future, you must have some burning questions you want to know.
4. Punctuality
Turning up at the right time not only shows that you are keen but also that you are reliable. Ideally 10–15 minutes before your interview is a good time to arrive. Turning up dead on time is both stressful and risky, and similarly turning up far too early may inconvenience the interviewer and show you may not have the best time management. If you get a chance, take a practice run of your route. Failing that street view on google maps is a handy trick if you don’t get time.
5. Know your personal statement
Your personal statement will likely be a key part on what the interview will be based on so it would be a good idea to familiarise yourself with what you wrote and be prepared to elaborate on your experiences in more detail.
6. Be prepared for unusual questions
Occasionally some interviewers may ask questions that may seem a little fun and irrelevant, but the real motive is purely to see how you would react under pressure e.g. if you could be any fruit what would you be? (Random I know). The content of the answer isn’t really something to become stressed over but try to have fun with it, that’s the real key to passing this question.
7. Be Yourself
It may seem cheesy but the steps above are designed to help you relax. If you are well prepared in advance you should be well equipped to tackle the interview. The rest is simply to show your personality, and only you really know how to do that.
