Application Process

Interviews
Alumni Interviews
A number of schools send alumni representatives to Blair during the late fall/early winter to interview students who have made application to their alma maters. The College Office often helps schedule times and locations for these interviews, though occasionally the students need to take the lead in making such arrangements.

School Interviews
A small number of schools arrange to come to Blair each year to interview students, especially those who, because of distance or inconvenience, have not had the chance to interview on campus. Of course, we heartily encourage our students to take full advantage of this opportunity and are happy to make the necessary arrangements.

Interview Tips
The requirements for interviews at colleges and universities vary. Some schools, especially small liberal arts colleges, encourage you to interview on campus with an admissions officer or, if you live a long distance from the school, with an appointed alumni interviewer. Bigger schools, like the Ivies, Duke, or state schools tend not to require on-campus interviews, but will arrange an alumni interview, which often occurs at Blair; each offers group information sessions and campus tours. Some schools, like Stanford, do not offer nor require any sort of interview. A good time for interviews is during the summer or during the long weekend in the fall. It is your job to determine what each of your schools requires or recommends, and make plans accordingly.

1. Make definite arrangements for the appointment by phone or letter. Phone numbers and addresses are available in any of the college information books listed on the enclosed booklist; the College Counseling Office has a copy of many.
2. Arrive with a list of questions. Read the college catalogue carefully. Don’t ask questions it answers; rather, ask for information beyond that offered in the catalogue.
3. Be familiar with what you have written on your application and be prepared to expand on any of the points you’ve made in it.
4. Dress neatly; sit-down dinner attire is most appropriate. Arrive 15 minutes early.
5. Be prepared to answer any of the following questions:
   a) Why do you want to go to college?
   b) What intrigues you about this college?
   c) What courses have you enjoyed most?
   d) What was the last book you read? (Be prepared to talk about it.)
   e) Have you ever had a job?
   f) What did you do last summer?
   g) What would you like to study in college?
   h) Why should we accept you? (This will not be asked bluntly; be on your guard.)
6. Relax and don’t try to tell them what you think they want to hear. Be yourself.

As you may have surmised, these questions strike at the heart of your relationship to the college selection process. They warrant careful thought.

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