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?