Master The College Video Admissions Interview With These Tips
An increasing number of colleges and universities are turning to video communications services like Skype to conduct interviews with prospective students. Video interviews combine the convenience of a telephone conversation with the face-to-face experience of an in-person discussion. If you will be participating in a video interview this year, check out these ways to help you wow the admissions representative.
Before the Interview
First, ensure your username and profile picture for Skype -- or whatever program you are using -- are professional. Ideally, your username should be a variation of your first and last name, and your profile picture should be a simple headshot. If your current username and profile picture do not meet these criteria, consider creating a new account for your admissions interview.
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In addition, decide whether your home Internet connection can sustain the interview. If your connection frequently drops out, try to conduct your interview elsewhere. It is also wise to charge your laptop during the interview, as programs like Skype can drain your computer battery surprisingly quickly.
Dress as you would for a traditional in-person interview, and try to use an uncluttered, professional background during your conversation. If your bedroom wall has numerous posters, either temporarily relocate them or choose another location for your interview.
This location should be quiet. This might be your kitchen if your house is calm, or a library if it is not. Once you decide on your location and background, complete a practice run with a family member or friend to test the lighting. Aim for neither too much nor too little light. Your admissions representative should be able to clearly see your face.
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To prepare for your video interview, research the college or university just as you would for an in-person interview. It can be beneficial to write notes, but remember to avoid seeming stiff or over-rehearsed during your conversation with the admissions representative.
For many students, the unfamiliar setting lends itself to awkwardness more so than a traditional in-person interview might. Monitor your body language, relax and just be yourself.
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During the Interview
Sign on to Skype at least 10 minutes before your scheduled interview time. Technical issues often crop up at inopportune moments and it is better to address them before your admissions interview rather than during it.
You can also use this time to complete any final adjustments to your lighting and background. Finally, turn off or silence your phone. A ringing phone can be a significant distraction during your interview, and it is an all-too-simple mistake to make.
Look into your webcam -- not your monitor -- as this will simulate the direct eye contact that you would employ during an in-person interview. Skype gives you the advantage of being able to see what your interviewer sees in the bottom corner of your screen, so use this feature to occasionally check your posture and presentation within the frame. An excellent rule of thumb is to include your head and the upper portion of your shoulders within the video window.
After the Interview
Even though your interview is not in person, you should still thank your admissions interviewer. Make sure to write either a physical thank-you note or email soon after you finish your discussion, and keep it specific to the admissions representative and school at hand.
The most important thing to remember about a video interview is that it differs from an in-person admissions interview only in where it takes place. Everything else about it -- the questions you will be expected to answer, the dress code and how you should present yourself -- is no different.
Moreover, video interviews give you much more control over the setting and atmosphere than in-person admissions interviews do. You can use this to your advantage to ensure you have the best admissions interview possible.
Bradford Holmes is a professional SAT and Latin tutor with Varsity Tutors. He earned his B.A. from Harvard University and his master's degree from the University of Southern California.
