Best Types of Questions to Ask Your Alumni Interviewer
Best Types of Questions to Ask Your Alumni Interviewer
Interviewing is an important step in your admissions process after you’ve submitted your application. It is one last chance to make a face-to-face impression with someone who can influence your decision. More often than not, those interviews are run by trained alumni, representatives of the school who have already graduated but remain deeply connected to what’s going on with their alma mater.
The questions you ask your interviewer will help set you apart from the crowd. And while many students will be prepared to answer whatever is asked of them, they often overlook the importance of having strong questions for their interviewer. Do not take this for granted!
Asking questions that you can easily Google or that poorly reflect appreciation for your interviewer’s time can leave a tepid impression of you in their mind (and in their notes). However, asking meaningful questions that spark interest and vibrant conversation will demonstrate how adeptly you engage.
As you’re formulating your questions, be sure they fall into one of the three categories we describe below.
Questions That Get Them Talking About Their College Experience
Ask your alumni interviewer what they loved about attending that particular school. Were they members of clubs that sound interesting to you? Did they make a name for themselves in some way? What keeps them drawn to their college community? Get them talking about their experiences in as much detail as they will share.
Even though several years, OK decades, may have passed there is still much that you can learn about the ethos of an institution from its alumni. You can get a sense of what traditions have endured and how the university is progressing. You can also ascertain how they treat their alumni.
Remember, you aren’t just picking a school to attend for four years; you’re joining a community with its own values, traditions, and goals. Take advantage of this opportunity to find continuity between your interviewer’s experiences and your own hope for your future.
Questions That Help You Envision Your Own Path
Your alumni interview should help you get a better sense of what you could expect doing your own years at that particular school, both in terms of specific opportunities and the general mindset that undergirds them. Ask questions that make this easier for you.
For example, you might ask about the sense of competitiveness versus cooperativeness between students. How supportive are your peers of each other’s success? Or you might try to get a better understanding of what the pace of learning is like or how easy it is to dive deeply into subjects outside of your intended major.
Ultimately your interview should be a helpful tool for you. Assuming that you are admitted to that university as well as several others, you will have a choice to make at the end of your process. What you learn from your alumni interviewer could help you make a more informed decision about your future.
Questions that Show You’ve Been Listening
As your interviewer is sharing their story with you or giving pertinent info about their alma mater, practice active listening skills. You can demonstrate your interest in a particular line of questioning or topic discussed when it's your turn to ask questions.
Perhaps your interviewer shared something about their career or what they did after college that resonates with you because you have similar ambitions. You might want to dive further into those kinds of questions. Or perhaps they mentioned something about the values of the student body that stood out to you. Don't be afraid to ask relevant follow up questions. It may lead to fruitful conversation and raise your interviewer’s opinion of your intellectual curiosity.
Remember, your interviewer will pass their feedback on to the admissions office shortly after your time with him or her ends. For many schools, this demonstrated interest factors into their admissions decisions. Engaging earnestly and actively will have a positive affect on your process. More importantly, it will help you cultivate strong relationships as you continue developing this skill in the future.
Wise students will prep for interviews before they attend them. Working with a trained admissions expert can be incredibly valuable for mastering this process and maximizing its impact on your application. Give yourself the best chance to ace your interviews and ask memorable questions by practicing in advance and being open to constructive feedback.
The expert admissions consultants at Wise World Prep have helped hundreds of students maximize their potential of being admitted to their top choice colleges and universities. Over 20 years, we have successfully guided students through each stage of the application process – from choosing competitive high school courses to building an appropriate college list to drafting winning essays to writing persuasive update and appeals letters. We would be happy to answer your questions and partner with you to create a successful admissions roadmap.
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