Prestigious Fellowships › Interviewing

What should I wear?

Finalists should do the impossible--dress comfortably and nicely. Business dress is appropriate. Suits or slacks and a jacket work well for men. Suits (pants or dress) or a "business" dress works well for women. Wear shoes you are used to wearing. We have had students wear shoes with very high heels. Falling off your shoes is an awkward way to begin an interview. Do remember that the members of the interview panel are woefully mature.

How much weight is put on the interview?

Selection panels are instructed to consider your academic performance, writing samples, letters of recommendation, and the interviews equally.

How are the interviews structured?

Your interview will last 20 minutes. There will be 3-5 faculty members on your interview panel. The time passes quickly and quite painlessly.

How can I shine in an interview?

  • Be yourself.
  • Answer the questions directly and openly, briefly, spending about 20 seconds on short questions and a minute or so on more complex questions.
  • Answer the questions you are asked. Think before you answer.
  • Do not try to tell the panelists what you think they might want to hear.
  • Do not try to take over the interview.
  • Do not be afraid to say you do not know.
  • Do not mention scores and grades in the interview. Talk about your interests instead.
  • Enjoy yourself. The faculty members are delighted to have this chance to meet and get to know you. Everyone wants you to do well.

What is the selection process?

Each of the Sturgis, Bodenhamer, and Honors College Selection Committees will interview 15 students. Ten will be selected as Fellows. One or two will be selected as alternates. The alternates will then go into a pool of students from which any of the fellowships can draw. A student could interview for a Bodenhamer and then as an alternate become an Honors College Fellow or a student could interview for the Honors College Fellowship and as an alternate become a Bodenhamer Fellow, etc.

The Boyer panel will interview three students for its award. One will receive the scholarship and one or two will be selected as alternates.

Should my parents come?

Parents are welcome to visit the University during the interview weekend. You will be housed separately at the Cosmopolitan with other finalists. We will have an information session for parents on Monday, but whether parents visit the campus or not will have no effect on the interview process. Parents can neither help nor hinder you. But we do want to make sure they have a chance to visit campus if they would like and to have their questions answered if they have them.

What about the essay on Sunday? Can I prepare for it?

You will write for one hour on Sunday afternoon. This is not a test, and you do not need to do anything to prepare for it. You will be given a long list of items and you will be asked to write briefly about four. Do not worry about this in any way. No one has ever had a problem with this part of the process.

How can I best prepare for the interview?

Consider some of the sample questions below. These suggest the shape of typical interviews. One of these questions might well be asked at your interview. Review your application. Be sure to review your essay and the five works you listed that you enjoyed reading this year. Typically one or two questions at the interview will come directly from the material you sent us. Participate in one or two 20-minute practice interviews with your friends, parents, or teachers so that you will be comfortable with the interview setting. Ask them to help you keep your answers short and to the point. Ask them to watch for and help you correct any verbal ticks. Saying like repeatedly is fun when you are with friends but is not good in an interview.

Sample Questions:

Often the interview begins in a very general way. The chair of the committee may simply ask you to introduce yourself. If so, include more than your home town and school.

  • Tell us something about yourself that is not in your application.
  • Describe an activity that you have been involved in that best demonstrates your leadership or analytical skills.
  • What sorts of problems do you like to solve? Why?
  • What do you look for when you read fiction? What did you like about the book X that you listed in your application? What were the main themes of the work?
  • What does it mean to be an intellectual? A leader? An inventor?
  • What ethical issues confront students?
  • What would you change about your high school experience? About your resume? Your application?
  • What was your favorite class? Least favorite?
  • What historical figure appeals to you most?
  • Can you think of an example where a public figure deliberately chose not be a good citizen in order to be a good person?
  • What do you think is the biggest problem facing your home town? The United States? The global community?
  • Whom do you admire most in science? Art? Music? Politics? International Relations? Business? Engineering? Medicine? Veterinary Science? The interests listed on the application will help shape this question.
  • What was, for you, the most fascinating news story this week?
  • How do you envision your future in ten years?
  • What do you consider your strengths? Your weaknesses?
  • If you could change anything about your application, what would it be?
  • Why do you think this school will be a good fit for you?
  • What question would you most like to be asked?
  • Do you have anything to add? What single thing would you want us to remember most about you?
  • Do you have questions for this committee?