At various times, many students find themselves in their high school careers needing guidance on how to prepare for an interview to successfully attain a scholarship to a particular institution or for a particular activity.

Some colleges will require this interview if it is a full-tuition scholarship or departmental scholarship (physics scholarship, music scholarship, etc.) for which the student is competing.  It may be in-person, where a student might have to travel a long distance, or it may be conducted over Zoom.

Step One: Research

Do some reconnaissance with various Internet search engines.  There are many resources available online that can help to describe various questions an interviewer might ask, what kind of clothing should be worn to an interview, various body language positions that are most conducive to a successful interview, etc.  The student is vying for a ‘job’, so to speak, from the college or university, so it is important to understand how job applications/interviews work.  This may also include reaching out to the particular department of the college that manages the interview process.  The student might ask this person what kinds of questions are asked and how the interview is conducted, which can vary depending on the type of scholarship.

Step Two: Self-Reflection

Help remind the student of the reasons why he or she is choosing to apply for that scholarship or to apply to that particular college.  

• What is it about that college that aligns with the student’s goals?  
• What was it about the school that drew the student to it?  
• What talents, gifts, and abilities does the student possess that work in combination with the goals of the college or university?  

A student who is looking to help benefit the college’s community with the strengths God has given to him or her has a better chance of winning the scholarship than the student who uses many “I did this in high school” statements.  A student should weave into his or her answers how he or she best fits into that school’s environment and how the student can further the school’s mission.

Step Three: Practice

Hone your interview skills, speed up your response time, and improve your confidence by practicing interview-style questions with a friend, sibling, or parent, especially if they have first-hand experience with job or scholarship interviews.

Step Four: Pray

Always remember the power of prayer.  A quick Adoration visit to the Blessed Sacrament can soothe a student full of jittery anticipation regarding the interview.  God already knows how awesome the student is, and He’s ready to help dissuade the anxiety!

If more help is needed with regard to anything related to college planning, please reach out to your academic advisor for any questions or concerns.