University Interview Secrets: How Interviewers from Top Schools are Asked to Report on Interviewees

Do you have a university interview coming up? If so, you might be wondering what interviewers are looking for and what they report to the universities.

Here』s what top schools Dartmouth, Penn, Yale, and Carnegie Mellon report (and I would say this is very similar for ALL universities):

Dartmouth

Here is Dartmouth』s list of Do』s and Don』ts for interviewers.

And here』s is what interviewers are expected to include in their reports.

Dartmouth alumni interviewers are instructed to report back on:

1. Intellectual Engagement and Curiosity
2. Commitment and Personal Motivation in Activities
3. Character
4. A summary of the interview.
5. An overall rating:

• Outstanding: A rare individual; superior; truly distinctive within a strong applicant pool.
• Highly Desirable: A very appealing candidate with notable academic and personal strengths. One who possesses special talent in one or more areas and who will contribute significantly to the College.
• Desirable: A generally strong candidate who likely would be a positive addition to the student body and who should contribute to the life of the College.
• Acceptable: Shows promise of academic success and personal development with no significant weaknesses. Like many others.
• Acceptable with reservations: Shows some strengths and potential as a Dartmouth candidate but with reservations noted above.
• Not Recommended: Does not present the overall academic promise or personal strengths expected of a Dartmouth student for the reasons expressed above.

Penn

This is what Penn interviewers are instructed to do:

Always endeavor to answer the following three questions:

• What is the student like?
• What does the student like?
• What would the student be like at Penn?

Penn interviewers follow this guide when reporting on interviewees:

What qualities or characteristics of this applicant would help them to be successful at Penn? (3-5 sentences in the box below, for example…)

• Do you think the student would be engaged in the classroom and involved in the community?
• Did they share a compelling personal story or exhibit interesting ways of thinking?
• How might they have an impact on campus as a classmate, roommate, teammate, leader, peer, etc.?

Which academic and extracurricular topics were of greatest interest to the student? (3-5 sentences in the box below, for example…)

• Did they describe any of their favorite classes, projects, or activities?
• What were some of their most formative academic or extracurricular activities?
• Did the student express any long-term academic, professional, or personal goals?

In what ways do the student』s interests, talents, and goals align with opportunities available at Penn? (3-5 sentences in the box below, for example…)

• Why did this student choose to apply to Penn, and to their intended school, program, or major?
• Did they speak to any specific features of Penn』s community or programs?
• Did they speak to any unique qualities of the university that they found compelling?

What is your overall or 「bottom line」 assessment of this candidate』s potential impact at Penn? Please be candid, sharing any relevant examples to support your assessment.

If this student applied to a coordinated dual degree or specialized program, please describe their fit for this specific program, in addition to their potential academic fit with Penn in general. No response is required for single-degree applicants (College, Engineering, Nursing, Wharton).

Yale

Yale provides examples of actual interview reports, which will help you see how candidates are assessed.

Carnegie Mellon

Finally, here is what Carnegie Mellon interviewers are asked to report on:

• Why is the student considering Carnegie Mellon University and what academic program(s) is he/she interested in studying? Why? Include specific colleges and/or majors.
• How will this student contribute to the Carnegie Mellon community?
• Rate the student on a scale of 1-4 (4 being highest).
• Enthusiasm
• Rate the student on a scale of 1-4 (4 being highest).
• Self Confidence
• Rate the student on a scale of 1-4 (4 being highest).
• Ability to Communicate

***Looking for a list of reported interview questions? Email me for the PDF!***

Good luck, interviewees! Please contact me if I can help you through the application process at kvanderweert@gmail.com OR through WeChat under username kvanderweert.