Sample Interview Questions

Often the interview begins with the chair of the committee asking you to introduce yourself. You should 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 to 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?