The University Open Day is crucial in determining whether the institute and the course are right for you. For students called to attend an interview on the same day, it’s also an opportunity for the university to determine whether you’re the right type of student for them. Not every student will be called for an interview, but some will – those applying to Oxford or Cambridge, mature students, international students for example. Here is how you stand out.
Show Enthusiasm
You may have applied for your full complement of five universities and your head is likely spinning with all the choices while you try to figure out an order of preference. University place interviews are slightly less formal than an employment interview, but it’s important that you show enthusiasm for every interview and open day as though each one is your first choice. Go in with indifference because this is your bottom choice and you may do yourself a disservice. Remain open-minded and be enthusiastic about the opportunity at all times.
Prepare a Concise Answer to “Why Do You Want to Study Here?”
This will probably be your most important interview before you head into full-time employment. The stakes are high and they need to filter students. The questions they ask will not be mere formalities. The most important issue they would want to find out is why you want to study there. It’s helpful to go in armed with some specific answers relating to modules that interest you. Although you shouldn’t just regurgitate the literature, have some key facts to support why you chose there. They are not just interviewing you as a student of the university, they are interviewing your worthiness to be offered a place on that course.
Ask Questions
It goes for any interview, but you should prepare for the Open Day and ensure you know your stuff. There may be gaps in the information provided. What do you want to know about the course, the university or the wider academic study there? You could focus on asking what’s unique about their course, new technologies etc. Of course, you’re at the start of your academic career so you’re not going to be too clued up about developments in the field, but the point here is to show willing and interest. It will also help you decide which offers to accept and which to reject.
Be Likeable
In business, your experience, qualifications, and whether you are a good fit for the existing team are the most important criteria. At a university interview, they are looking for slightly different things –passion for the subject, of course. But also what could separate you from a raft of other students is your persona. This type of interview is more of a conversational, more relaxed. What could lead to the offer of a place is that you were open and interesting.