2. FACTORS TO CONSIDER FACTORS TO AVOID
Size A significant other
Public/Private Following friends
Location Parental pressure
Price
Majors offered
3. Start with list of 15 and narrow down
3 Reach schools
Highly selective schools that will be your top
choice
3 Match schools
Schools at which your stats stack up favorably
2 Safety schools
Schools which you are very likely to get into
4. Your application and scores already show
how smart you are and how hard you work so
this is not the purpose of your essay
Essays need to reveal something about your
character
If there is no word limit, 500 is the rule of
thumb
Keep your focus narrow and personal
Stay in line with your topic
Be specific, use vivid details, and avoid clichés
5. Picking a topic is one of the hardest components
of writing a college essay
Easy ways to start:
Significant interest or experience
Where do you see yourself, career wise, 10 years from
now?
Describe your most rewarding experience
Evaluate a specific experience or risk you have taken
and its impact on you
Whatever the topic is write about something you can
write with passionate about
6. Many top tier schools include interviews in their
application (including both 1 on 1 & group
interviews)
If interview is optional, definitely request for one to
bolster your application
You will likely receive an interview request via
email from a school alumni
Have an appropriate email address (i.e.
firstlast@gmail.com)
Respond promptly to interview invitations and use
proper email etiquette
Appear as professional as possible
7. Do research about the school & your
interviewer (if possible)
Prepare specific questions for your
interviewer about classes/campus
clubs/intended field of study
Ask questions about your interviewer’s school
experience
Don’t hesitate to email interviewer questions
if anything is unclear about the time/location
8. Arrive 10 min. early
Introduce yourself with a firm handshake
Relax! The interview should be a conversation
Maintain eye contact
Don’t chew gum
Smile/ Show positive emotion throughout
Attire: Business Casual (Better to be
overdressed than underdressed)
9. Why do you want to attend XYZ university?
What are you passionate about?
What are some activities you do in your spare
time?
What separates you from other applicants?
How will you contribute to the diversity of the
student body of XYZ university if you’re
accepted?
10. Prepare a 30 sec. elevator pitch that would set you
apart from other potential candidates
This pitch should highlight your interests and
accomplishments as well as what you are looking for in the
school. Memorize the speech by heart and learn to deliver
it with confidence.
Don’t be overly aggressive in asking questions to the
interviewer, let other applicants have their time too
Establish rapport with your mentor by finding
commonalities
Stay after to thank your interviewer and ask any
additional questions if necessary
11. One day post-interview, follow up with a
thank you email & mention something you
learned /thought was interesting
Email your interviewer after college decisions
come out to let him/her know your final
choice