1.

GENERAL

There are three kinds of interviews: with an admission counselor, current students (usually
senior students) and alumni. Most of the time, the interviewers will reach out to you, so you
have ample time to do some background research on them.

The average length for an interview is about 30 minutes, the longest I have is an one-hour call
with IE University in Spain.

SCHEDULE INTERVIEW EARLY! Slots run out even before you know it, especially for large
NUs! Most schools have an interview request deadline.

2. TYPES OF QUESTIONS IN A INTERVIEW (and how I responded)

In descending order of frequency

A. Why this College question

Self-explanatory.

B. Academic

European Universities and more competitive US colleges such as Yale NUS in my case ask in-
depth academic questions. Some of the common questions were:

● Describe your school curriculum? How has Covid impacted your study?

I usually highlighted my public education background, which offer students no freedom in

choosing their classes at school and thus motivates me to take online Coursera classes such as
(insert names) instead.

● What is your favourite and least favourite class at school?

I am brutally honest for this question. For my least favourite class, I tried to be humorous and
made a pun: “I have no chemistry with Chemistry.” Luckily for my dream school, it worked,
whereas for my reach school, it was a complete flop :vvv

● Why do you want to major in (insert major)?

Lul just recite your why major essay

● Hypothetical scenarios

For IE University in Spain, the questions for aspiring Dual Degree in Law and Business
Administration bachelors were: “When is it justifiable to break the law”

The original questions were not as scary as the succeeding follow up questions. My interviewers
were extremely knowledgeable and knew all the poets, and technical terms I brought up. Well,
good luck!

C. Future plans:
 ● Where do you see yourself in 10 years? 20 years?
● What is your dream job and why?

D. Why you:

● What are your strengths and weaknesses?

● Why are you a good fit for the school?

I usually research the school mission statement and descriptions of their student body to
brainstorm my answers . For example, it is written on the Yale NUS website that they are
looking for an "adventurous and globally engaged student body." Babson College looks for
entrepreneurial spirit meanwhile Tufts University values creativity. For small LACs, community
matters.

E. Extracurricular activities

● What were your motivations for doing this activity?

● What is the biggest challenge that you faced and how did you solve it?
● How did the experience shape who you are today?

One tip only: brainstorm the Why EC essay for all the activities you listed on your CV/ Common
App activities list.

F. Awareness

● Which news source do you read? How do you separate fake news and reliable news?
● Choose a current news piece and analyse its relevance to you.

I devolved into how Covid canceled my EC plans and how watching the US election inspired me
to study in a politically engaged and safe environment.

G. Creative

Easily my favourite interview questions

● What is your ideal summer?

Being sponsored by the college to go to many debate tournaments!

● Concluding remark: If you could go back to the interview at any moment and change one
thing, what would you change?

I was quite stunned by this sudden question to be honest, but I ended up arguing something
along this line: "The more I tried to plan my answer, the less authentic they were, so unsatisfied
as I am, I do not wish to make any major changes."

3. HARD-EARNT TIPS

A. Be prepared to give an impromptu performance

During my Smith College's interview, I performed a short cardistry trick when asked about my
interest. Similarly, if you have a piano/ guitar in your room, be prepared to give a short
performance.

B. Wear pants (that you won't be embarrassed)!

Even though the camera only shows your upper body, you may have to leave your seat and
fetch something. A colorful pant will be extremely embarrassing unless you want to make an
unforgettable impression on your interviewer.

C. Take turn to ask the interviewers instead of waiting until the end

After answering my Why Major question, I took turns and asked the interviewer why she
decided to pursue her major at her college.

D. Write a follow up email after your interview

I usually procrastinate writing the follow up emails for the next day and ended up forgetting :))
Don't be like me :))

4. GOOD QUESTIONS TO ASK INTERVIEWERS

I was complimented for asking such insightful questions.

● What is the most underrated aspect of your college?

● For alumni and current students: How has your college experience shaped who you are
today/ prepared you for your career?
● What changes do you see on campus in the next 5 years?
5. HOW TO PREPARE FOR YOUR INTERVIEW
● Prepare a short elevator pitch aka Why you answer
● Prepare a Why EC answer for all of your extracurricular activities
● Prepare a Why College answer
● Read the news

With that! Best of lucks! Interviews should be fun!

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