Admission Interview

Why Universities Conduct Interviews
 

An interview helps the admissions committee get to know the applicant better and understand their motivation. A conversation reveals things that aren't always reflected in documents. How well a person understands the chosen program. Whether they can explain their choice. Whether they're ready to study in an international environment.

An interview isn't an exam where you need to give perfect answers to every question. What matters far more is speaking calmly. To the point. In your own words.

What Questions You Might Be Asked
 

Some questions are fairly easy to predict. For example, you might be asked:

• "Why did you choose our program?" — talk about what specifically interested you. A particular subject, project, research area, or features of the program.
• "What are your strengths and weaknesses?" — answer honestly. And show that you understand what you still need to work on. For example: "I find it hard to speak in front of a large audience, so I'm taking public speaking classes."
• "Why do you want to study in this country specifically?" — explain what attracts you to the education system, the program, or the environment.
• "Where do you see yourself in five years?" — you don't have to describe a perfect career plan. It's better to connect your goals to your chosen field and further development.
• "Tell us about your experience" — you can talk about an academic project, volunteering, an internship, sports, or another activity. One that shows your interests and qualities.

Speak in Your Own Words
 

One of the most common mistakes is trying to memorize answers word for word. This approach can make your speech sound unnatural. And an unexpected follow-up question will throw you off.

It's better to think through the main topics and a few examples from your own experience in advance. Then during the interview you'll be able to formulate your answer freely. Even if the question is phrased a little differently.

What Can Hurt You in an Interview
 

Even good preparation won't help if your answers don't match the real situation. It's worth avoiding:

• memorized and overly general phrases;
• attempts to present yourself as someone you're not;
• an aggressive or overly insecure manner of communication;
• panicking over an unfamiliar question;
• negative remarks about other universities or people;
• a deliberate show of disinterest in the chosen program.

If you don't know the answer — it's better to say so calmly. And try to reason it out. Than to make up an obviously unconvincing answer.

How to Prepare for an Interview
 

Before the interview, it's useful to review the university's website and the chosen program once more. Pay attention to the curriculum, features of the course, projects, and opportunities for students.

Also prepare a brief story about yourself. And think through answers to the main questions in advance. It's worth separately practicing speaking in the language the interview will be conducted in.

It's helpful to do a mock interview with someone who can ask follow-up questions and give feedback. This helps get rid of unnecessary nerves. And spot weak points in your answers.

Practice Interview with Edunation
 

At Edunation, you can take part in a mock interview in a format as close to a real interview as possible. After the conversation, the specialists review your answers. Point out mistakes. And help you understand what's worth improving.

This kind of practice lets you get used to the interview format in advance. And approach the real meeting more calmly and confidently.