Wesleyan Home → Admission → Admission Volunteers → Interviewing

Admission Volunteers

Interviewing

What We Want to Know

For each candidate, please focus on the qualities in each student which are unusual, special, and/or interesting. Though each interview report may not reflect each of the characteristics listed below, you may wish to gain a sense of each of these characteristics as you interview the student so that your report is balanced, fair, and thorough.

Intellectual Motivation

Intellectual Potential

• Although it is difficult to estimate, do you think this person has potential for growth?
• Is this person likely to touch only the surface of ideas or is he/she likely to explore them in greater depth?

Imagination

• Would this person be a leader or a follower, a stimulating addition to a group or a loner?
• Is this person competitive or cooperative?
• Is this person creative in art, music, drama, writing, human relations, science?
• What has this applicant done thus far with the opportunities afforded him/her?

Caliber of Academic Work

• What kind of courses has this student chosen? Were the courses honors or AP courses and why?
• Does the student describe his/her coursework as easy, difficult, challenging?
• Has this applicant written a major research paper? Is writing expected regularly in current classes? What kinds of assignments does the applicant like best and do best at?
• How does this person describe classmates and friends? Do they share a seriousness about academics or is this student one of few who works hard at school?
• What can you learn about the depth and breadth of the academic program at this student’s school?

Interests Outside the Classroom

• Extracurricular activities may merely indicate broad interest, but they may also indicate an ability to lead or to create. Our concern is with the quality of extracurricular activities not quantity.
• Does the student pursue interest(s) with enthusiasm/energy/dedication? Is there a willingness to sacrifice other things in pursuit of special interest(s)? What is gained through his/her involvement(s)?

Personality

• What can be said about the candidate’s personality that will make him/her come alive for the Admission Committee?
• How did the applicant handle himself during the interview?
• Did the student demonstrate maturity, shyness, enthusiasm, arrogance, a quick wit, seriousness, etc?
• Is this person creative in art, music, drama, writing, human relations, science?
• What has this applicant done thus far with the opportunities afforded him/her?

Unusual Experiences

• Any experiences which may have been of significant value such as living abroad, association with a professional group (in science or the theatre, for example), or a challenging, difficult family situation.

Family Background

• Any pertinent information which would shed light on the candidates personality or character and round out the “total” picture.
• Have any others in this family attended and or graduated from college?

Qualifiers

• Was this student very nervous during the interview? Do you believe you have a fair basis for assessing the candidates potential.

 

Related Pages

• Volunteer Home
• Interviewing
  • A Good Interview
  • College Fairs
  • Evaluating the Candidate
  • Sample Evaluation Form
  • Sample Interview Questions
• Questions about the Waitlist

• Search
• Join Mailing List
• Get Admission Forms
• Ask a Question
• Admission Volunteers
• En Español