Nieha: Show your interviewers what you can bring to the table.
SOME universities require students applying for their courses to attend admissions interviews. If you are eyeing a spot in one such university, here are some do’s and don’ts to help you prepare for the interview. I adhered to these and voila, I landed an offer from my desired university.
1. Do your research
What would make you stand out from other candidates is how knowledgeable you are. Show your interviewers what you can bring to the table.
Visit the university’s website and pay attention to its values and vision. Check out past or current research related to your desired course, and find out how people have established their careers after graduating from the course.
After you’ve done your research, structure your answers to potential questions and include all the relevant information.
2. Dress smart
Dress appropriately to your interview. First impressions count. For the guys, wear a neatly ironed shirt and pair it with slacks. You may also wear a tie and a blazer to complete the look. For the ladies, you may wear baju kurung or a blouse paired with slacks or a skirt. Do not style your hair too much. As long as you look neat, it should be fine.
3. Radiate positivity
Even if you are an introvert, turn that personality off and bring out the extrovert in you. If you are directed questions you aren’t expecting, don’t let it overwhelm you. Answer it as confidently as possible.
Most interviewers would look for teenagers who exude enthusiasm and confidence. If you are wearing a face mask, remove it so that your interviewers can hear you loud and clear. Lean forward in your chair to show how interested you are in the conversation and always flash your wide, genuine smile!
4. Don’t lie
Don’t falsify information. You’re wrong if you think your interviewers won’t find out. Most interviewers are experienced in dealing with students so there is a high chance they would be able to catch something amiss. It can completely affect your chances of passing the interview and even ruin your reputation.
5. Don’t take things personally
Your interviewers might say a thing or two that may upset you. Remember to not let it cause you to lose focus. Don’t hold a grudge against your interviewers and keep the session professional. Continue answering the questions calmly. Sometimes, they may be testing to see if you are able to accept criticism.
6. Don’t memorise your answers
It is vital to prepare your answers but don’t memorise them word for word. Remembering only the key points is the right way to tackle the interview questions.
A question may be asked in different ways. For example, “Why should we choose you to pursue your studies in this university?” could be worded as “What makes you stand out from other candidates?”.
Although they are worded differently, they can be answered in almost the same way. If you memorise your answers, however, you may experience a mental block, ultimately faltering in your interview.
Nieha, 19, a student in Melaka, is a participant of the BRATs Young Journalist Programme run by The Star’s Newspaper-in-Education (Star-NiE) team. For more information, go to facebook.com/niebrats.
Now that you have read the article, test your understanding by carrying out the following English language activities.
1 What other do’s and don’ts would you add to Nieha’s list? Discuss with your activity partner.
2 With your partner, role-play an interview between a university officer and a candidate seeking admissions. In the interview, the officer should ask at least three questions. Discuss with each other how you would carry out the role-play. When you are ready, record the interview while it is in session. Finally, review the video and discuss how both of you could have conducted yourselves better in the roles that you played. You may then swap roles for a second attempt at the activity.
The Star’s Newspaper-in-Education (Star-NiE) programme promotes the use of English language in primary and secondary schools nationwide. For Star-NiE enquiries, email starnie@thestar.com.my.
