The Interview Committee will be made up of faculty members who already know about your credentials from your resume, but want to identify candidates with maturity, empathy, and excellent interpersonal skills. They are going to assess the following:
- Knowledge about the school and program: Before the interview learn as much as you can about the school. Research the program to know ongoing initiatives.
- Professional Appearance: Be sure to wear a suit with neutral colors such as black, grey or navy.
- Men should have the suit pressed, avoid patterned ties, and be well groomed
- Women should avoid distracting accessories and wear neutral makeup
- Your verbal and nonverbal communication: Not only is it important to communicate and use proper grammar, but watching your body language is important as well.
- Firm handshake in the beginning
- Make eye contact
- Smile and remain enthusiastic
- If it is a group interview they will also assess you when fellow candidates are speaking
- Do not cross your arms or fidget
- Your ability to articulate your experiences: Know your personal statement and application and be able to speak about each item in detail.
- Schedule a mock interview with a Career Advisor to better prepare when answering questions
- Honesty in your answers: The committee members will be interviewing a bunch of candidates. They know when someone is not being sincere. If you do not have the answer to a question it is okay to answer honestly rather than making something up.
- Ask questions: Prepare a list of 3-5 questions for the interview. Not asking any questions will make them think you are disinterested.
- Avoid asking questions that can be answered by looking on the school Website.
- if you have a break or go on a tour, ask questions to the current students in the program.
- Follow up after the interview: Sending a thank you note to your interviewers is not only appropriate but also an opportunity to communicate with someone who may or may not choose to be your advocate on the admissions committee where you have applied.
- Thank the interviewers for his/her time
- Mention something unique about you or something that stood out in the conversation you had during your interview