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Mawr Insight: Interviewing 101

by Ava Blumer '24, Tour Guide
"It can be hard to learn about student clubs and dorm life, but in an interview you can talk about these things in detail."

"It can be hard to learn about student clubs and dorm life, but in an interview you can talk about these things in detail."

While interviews provide an excellent opportunity for colleges to learn more about you and for you to learn about the college, they can also be a source of nervous anticipation. At 今日吃瓜, we aim to make our interviews feel like engaging conversations where we can get to know an applicant in more detail. Ava Blumer, a senior Tour Guide and interviewer from the Class of 2024, has conducted numerous interviews. Here, she shares her top tips and strategies for preparing for鈥攁nd enjoying鈥攜our college interview.


Before you tell us your tips, what was your experience with college interviews?   

I was a little nervous for my college interviews! I was a much more anxious person in high school, but I now know that I didn鈥檛 need to be that nervous, especially if I was chatting with a current student! Interviews are the best time to ask questions, (especially if it鈥檚 an interview with a current student). It can be hard to learn about student clubs and dorm life, but in any interview you can talk about these things in detail. 

What do you look for when you're interviewing an applicant?  

I am looking to get to know a student鈥檚 personality and interests, and to have a genuine conversation with them. I鈥檓 trying to learn more about their high school experiences and their academic interests, but I also just want to talk with them. My favorite interviews have been the ones where we got slightly off-topic because we were just enjoying the conversation. I love it when we find something in common or when I can tell that we鈥檙e both just enjoying the conversation!  

How can a student prepare for an interview?  

  • Do your research! Prepare a list of questions about the college 鈥 at least three. There is no such thing as 鈥渢oo many questions鈥 and there's also no such thing as a 鈥渄umb question.鈥  

  • Be yourself! I know sometimes you might be embarrassed to ask certain questions, or you think they鈥檙e not the important ones, but they are important because they鈥檙e yours.   

  • Remember: it鈥檚 okay to be nervous! It might help you to tell the interviewer: 鈥淚鈥檓 excited and a little nervous about this!鈥   

  • Think of it as a conversation with intention. It鈥檚 more structured than a conversation with your friends, but we want it to flow.  

Are there any 鈥渄on'ts鈥 for an interview?  

We are looking to get to know your authentic personality and interests but try to keep somewhat of a filter. Don鈥檛 talk about anything inappropriate, and don鈥檛 accidentally call us another college鈥檚 name (which has happened before). Don't come in with a script: think of talking points but try to remain flexible in the conversation! 

What do you enjoy about interviewing students?  

It鈥檚 so fun to meet new people!  Especially when we have an interest in common or if they have a cool hobby, I enjoy just learning about them. I remember once a student and I had a full-side conversation after the interview about something unrelated and it was so fun. I love hearing about the cool things people do! 

What advice would you give a student walking into their first college interview?  

It鈥檚 natural to be a little nervous, but everyone wants you to feel comfortable and we鈥檙e not scary or mean 鈥 we are looking for the best in you! Interviews are also meant for you to learn about us, not just us asking you everything. Be yourself and remember, you're very much allowed to be nervous, it shows you care! 

While we do not require interviews, we strongly encourage rising seniors to interview with us if you can.  to register for a virtual, on-campus, or off-campus interview. Reach out to our office if you have questions!

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