“What are your tips for nailing college admissions interviews?”
Here is what 20 thought leaders had to say.
The idea of college admissions interviews used to make me nervous, and you would have expected that after hundreds of technical interviews and, more importantly, systems of preparing for interviews, I would have an idea of what really works.
First, research the interviewer beforehand. Check LinkedIn or the admissions staff page. Their background means that you can find common ground or experience. My interviewer had studied abroad in Romania, my family as well, so at Stanford I immediately connected with her.
Second, practice telling not only the answers. The majority of the students provide general responses regarding grades or activity. Rather, prepare 3-4 brief, powerful stories that demonstrate growth, resolving problems, or leadership. I will also never forget how I was debugging my first program 12 hours straight- it demonstrated persistence more than any GPA did.
Third, pose probing questions that demonstrate that you express interest in learning more about unique programs or the culture of the school. When students inquire about our platform, I am also impressed by the students who have read our tutorials and are able to name particular features.
Lastly, tape the interview of typical questions. The initial recording sounds clumsy, though you will notice filler words, eye contact, or stuttered words. Most of all, be genuinely passionate about what you are excited about both academically and personally.
Mircea Dima, CTO / Software Engineer, AlgoCademy
The best tip for a college interview is to stay relaxed.
I’d also suggest practicing for the standard questions and considering in advance which accomplishments and experiences you want to highlight. Also, strive to speak in a structured manner, and provide concrete examples from your experiences—classes, projects, or outside activities.
Last, but not least, be yourself and express true interest in the program you are applying to — interviewers appreciate authenticity and motivation as much as achievements.
Alexandr Caragheorghi, Business Analyst, 8Rental
One of the best ways to stand out in admissions interviews is to prepare stories that show your strengths. When I interview team members for my company, the answers that stick are the ones wrapped in real experiences. If you want to highlight leadership, share a story about leading a project or organizing an event. It brings your qualities to life in a way bullet points never can.
The most important takeaway is to go in with two or three personal examples ready. That preparation gives you confidence and helps the interviewer see you as more than a resume. Stories are what people remember and they make your strengths easier to believe.
James McNally, Managing Director, SDVH [Self Drive Vehicle Hire]
To nail my admission interview to the University of Cincinnati, I highlighted the unique experiences that shaped the way I think. During my undergraduate years, I started a small digital project that scaled into a revenue stream of over $5,000 in less than six months. My fellow applicants talked about grades and clubs, but I talked about how I validated an idea from the ground up, developed it into a sustainable business, and learned to manage time and people in the process.
That one story carried a lot of weight because it conveyed my entrepreneurial drive and creativity and it showed how I was applying entrepreneurship in practice. It allowed me to connect later answers back to initiative and persistence, which mattered more than simply listing achievements. The interview turned into less of a re-run of what I had on paper to more of an exercise in how experiences outside the classroom influenced how I took on opportunities.
Paul DeMott, Chief Technology Officer, Helium SEO
What I have done to ace my college admissions interviews is treat the whole thing like a natural chat and not some stiff back-and-forth. Meaning, I made sure I was prepared, but I did not sit there just waiting to answer questions. I instead listened, responded to what the interviewer said and spoke as if I was having a proper conversation with someone who wanted to get to know me. I gave answers that are clear, but I brought in real stories that helped them understand how I think, what I care about and how I work with people.
During my interview at John Paul College, I was questioned about how I handled pressure. But I did not give a textbook answer. Instead, I shared a time I was rewiring a home while the client was living in it and how I kept everything safe, quiet and running smoothly even with kids around. I kept calm, got the job done and explained my decisions as I went. That story gave them something honest and they remembered it. That’s what helped me get in.
Caspar Matthews, Director & Electrician, Electcomm Group Electrical & Data
Something that has assisted me throughout the admissions interview is making sure that I relate my personal interests to what the college is offering. In my interview at the University of Sydney, I was very clear on how my early job experience with plumbing systems influenced my interest in infrastructure and water management. I then talked about the experiences of having to repair drains that were blocked or install hot water systems, which taught me the value of having a reliable infrastructure in any household or business. It was there that I linked this interest to the engineering program at the university and underscoring my desire to learn more about sustainable water technology and how it will be able to address community problems that people are currently experiencing.
The interviewer received my responses very well since I demonstrated that I had put in a lot of thought on how my personal journey fit into what the school was providing. That connection to what I had already been doing and what the college offers produced a natural flow to the conversation and has allowed me to stand out among the other applicants who were merely talking about location or reputation.
Steven Bahbah, Managing Director, Service First Plumbing
Describe a mentor or role model who shaped your life choices and explain how their guidance influenced your decisions, values, or ambitions. Share specific lessons you learned from them, like resilience, curiosity, leadership, or empathy, and show how those lessons appear in your daily actions and goals, whether in school, extracurriculars, or community work.
Bonus points if you can sneak in a story where their advice saved you from a totally avoidable disaster, such as missed deadlines or questionable fashion choices. Explain how you hope to inspire or support others in similar ways, creating a ripple effect of positive impact.
Leigh McKenzie, Community Advocate, Traffic Think Tank
Many people who wish to perform well in an admissions interview tend to prepare to have the perfect answer to all questions, but I believe honesty is much stronger. During my own specialty and medical school interviews, I was asked a question about a niche surgical method in which I had not researched extensively. But I did not pretend to know it and faked my answer. I instead paused and admitted that I did not know the entire detail and that I was willing to know more and had already decided to research it further during my rotation.
Remember that it is not a form of weakness to say “I do not know” as long as you follow it up with a sincere curiosity. It shows that you are teachable and comfortable in admitting limits while still showing an eagerness to grow. In medicine, this is super important since a physician does not always have all the answers. Take that attitude to your admissions interview. Breathe, say when you do not know something and then demonstrate your willingness to widen your knowledge. You are much more likely to get admitted when you show that you are honest rather than bragging about something that you do not have expertise in.
Dr. Maria Knöbel, Medical Director and Co-founder, Medical Cert UK
My advice is to treat the admissions interview like a two-way street — almost like networking. Instead of just waiting to be evaluated, position yourself as someone who’s also deciding if this place is right for you (even if you are practically dreaming of getting a spot there). That mindset shifts your confidence — you stop sounding like you’re begging to be considered and start sounding like someone who actually belongs there. One more tip: weave in one surprising personal detail that can spark conversation — whether it’s a unique hobby or an unusual perspective you bring — interviewers remember moments of connection far more than rehearsed answers.
Andrew Byzov, CMO & HOS, AcademyOcean
One thing students often overlook is how much energy and presence matter in an admissions interview. Most people prepare content, but few think about delivery. If you walk into the conversation with genuine enthusiasm — not forced, but showing you’re actually excited to be there — you instantly make yourself stand out. I’d also suggest embracing imperfection: if you stumble, recover with humor or self-awareness — we all make mistakes, so embrace them instead of thinking they ruined everything. That kind of authenticity leaves a stronger impression than a “perfect” but robotic answer ever could.
Evgen Tymoshenko, Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) at Skylum, Skylum
If you’ve blended interests like arts and science, explain how this combination has shaped your thinking, problem-solving, and approach to challenges in ways a single discipline might not.
Share detailed examples, such as a project where scientific analysis informed a creative piece or a design that required both technical skills and artistic vision. Discuss the lessons you learned, including balancing different methodologies, seeing patterns in unexpected places, or developing innovative solutions.
Showing how your passions intersect demonstrates curiosity, adaptability, and readiness for interdisciplinary learning while giving interviewers a vivid sense of the unique perspective and contributions you can bring to classroom discussions, group projects, and campus life.
Josh Howarth, Co-Founder & CTO, Exploding Topics
Beyond academics, show how you plan to bring your passions, skills, and personality into campus life. Mention specific clubs, organizations, or volunteer opportunities where you can make a meaningful contribution and explain what draws you to them. Give examples from your experiences that demonstrate leadership, teamwork, or initiative so your engagement with the community is clear. Express genuine enthusiasm for making an impact, and you will stand out as someone ready to enrich campus life in ways that go beyond grades and test scores.
Anna Zhang, Head of Marketing, U7BUY
For college admissions interviews, the most important thing is to be authentic and intentional without sounding scripted. Start by knowing your story—why you want to attend that specific school and how your experiences have prepared you for it. Think of a few personal examples that show qualities like curiosity, persistence, or leadership. When you can tie those stories to what the college values, your answers feel more genuine and memorable.
Do your research ahead of time. Learn about programs, professors, or campus traditions that truly interest you. Mentioning specifics shows you’re serious about the school and not just repeating the same answers everywhere. Interviewers notice when your enthusiasm is real.
Practice helps, but avoid memorizing word-for-word responses. Run through questions with a teacher, friend, or even record yourself to check tone and pacing. The goal is to sound confident and conversational, not robotic. Pay attention to body language too—eye contact, posture, and a calm presence matter as much as what you say.
Finally, prepare a few thoughtful questions for your interviewer. Asking about academic opportunities, mentorship, or student life shows you’re engaged and looking for a good fit. Treat it less like a test and more like a two-way conversation. That shift in mindset reduces nerves and helps you connect, which often leaves the strongest impression.
Joe Benson, Cofounder, Eversite
Face the admission team as people separate from their role, doing some research on who they are, where they went to school, and what values they hold. Respond in a non-pretentious manner, adding anecdotes and elaborating on the lessons that you learned, even if your journey included failure. Leave your ego at the door, and do not make yourself the center of attention, but show how you used your skillset to improve the lives of people around you. In other words, highlight your achievements while emphasizing group accomplishments. Ask sincere questions, not just phony engagement. Practice roleplaying beforehand, and ask your partner to throw some curveballs so you are as ready as possible.
When I was a few years younger and applied to colleges, the most useful work I did to prepare for my admissions interview had nothing to do with rehearsing my milestones — it was to practice telling stories. Admissions officers listen to GPAs all day long, but what they want to hear about is how you have faced adversity and cultivated your passions. I mentioned how I found my passion for clean energy after I built a DIY electric bike in high school (forced smiles aside, that was about as close to an original answer you could get).
One other very important thing I would encourage you to do is to thoroughly research the program, so your responses tie back to what’s important for them. I mentioned a specific prof’s work in renewables because it related to my career plans. It also proved that I wasn’t blanket-applying just anywhere — I wanted that school for a reason.
Finally, mock interviews can be invaluable. I took three with a mate, and it made the real thing feel very relaxed and not scary. Approach it like a conversation, not an interrogation, and show you are really curious about the school.
Rob Dillan, Founder, EVhype.com
If you want to impress the interviewer with the admission process, show that you understand different people and cultures. Yes, it is expected to talk about your grades and the activities you have done, but what makes an impression is what you have learned from serving others. This was the exact thing I did while I was in my dental school at the University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry and volunteered at a community clinic. Many of the patients were from families that had been without dental care for years, and I can remember sitting with them and hearing how they managed life every day, living with pain or dental problems that anyone else would have had fixed or at least treated right away. I learned more from those conversations than from any textbook.
Later, when I talked about those experiences in interviews, I framed the way I intended to practice dentistry and care for patients. I understood that delivering care was more than about fixing teeth; it was about recognizing each person’s story and learning from their past, and literally, respecting their background. When I shared what I learned through them, it demonstrated that not only was I in the process of getting a degree, but that I was equipping myself to serve with awareness and compassion. That is the type of story that makes an interviewer remember you.
Dr. Carolyn Kittell, Cosmetic and General Dentist | Business Owner, Smile Essentials Cosmetic Dentistry
Be real when telling your story. Admissions officers are looking to see how your experience has shaped you, not just a list of accomplishments. Prepare 2 or 3 examples that demonstrate resilience, curiosity, or leadership, and be ready to share them naturally.
Make the interview more of a conversation, rather than an interrogation. Prepare some good questions regarding the program to demonstrate your interest. Adopt positive body language, such as maintaining eye contact, good posture, and a slow speech rate, to appear confident even when you are feeling nervous inside.
Ben Waismann, CEO, ANR Clinic
Incorporating current events into your interview responses gives your answers depth and shows that you are actively engaged with the world around you. Do not simply drop headlines, though: tell a specific issue why it is related to your field of interest or personal experiences.
For example, if you’re interested in environmental science, you might discuss current climate policy decisions and what they mean for your goals or research proposals. Demonstrating critical thinking, awareness, and an ability for information integration is extremely compelling for directors of admissions.
Telling something about yourself, like how the issue caused you to act or make a judgment, makes your answers memorable and relatable. Add a sprinkle of humor whenever you are able, since it shows you are self-reflective but approachable, making you a whole candidate rather than a human news report.
Eric Do Couto, Chief Marketing Officer, Visualping
Be ready to discuss a problem you resolved creatively or critically in real life, tracing step by step how you identified the issue, hypothesized solutions, and acted. It could be a leadership project within a club, a service project in a community, a challenging school project, or even a consumer issue you resolved in a creative or critical method. Discuss why you made specific decisions, any obstacles you had to overcome, and what you learned throughout the experience.
Demonstrating analytical thinking and creative problem-solving beyond the classroom reveals maturity, initiative, and flexibility, providing interviewers a strong indication of how you respond to obstacles as well as how you’ll participate in college life.
Adrian Iorga, Founder, 617 Boston Movers
Complete your interview with your philosophy about lifelong learning, illustrating that learning makes you enthusiastic beyond grades and degrees. Include examples when curiosity made you step into a new subject, learn a talent outside the classroom, or learn a lesson in adversity.
Explain how this mindset creates daily routines for you, such as reading widely, talking about subjects, or attempting projects. Talk about how you are going to do this in college and life afterwards, describing how learning is a lifelong process.
Representing yourself as enthusiastic, adaptable, and committed to continual improvement leaves a strong impression and demonstrates that you will make full use of everything campus life is about.
Ian Gardner, Director of Sales and Business Development, Sigma Tax Pro
