email etiquette & tips for admissions interviews

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For example: My name is Ahmed Hussein and I am anEgyptian student in my junior year of high school here inCairo. I am excited to say I will be the first person from myvillage to study in the United States. After doing someresearch at the EducationUSA center in Cairo, I havediscovered that Minot State University is a great fit and Iintend to apply for Fall 2016 with a Music Business majorand a minor in Peace Studies.

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Assessing if the student is a good fit.

Admissions Officer makes official notes to add to your file.

Evaluative

To give the student more information.

Alumni or faculty might pass on their opinion of you.

Informational

Do not wait until the last minute to request an interview.

Mark the date and time on your calendar.

Research the college by checking out its website, brochure, press

releases, and course catalog. Get to know the faculty, talk to

alumni, research clubs and services, and get your name out there.

Make notes about why you want to attend this college/university.

Make notes about your academic background, scores, goals,

personal essay, activities and experiences.

Get directions to the interview or dial-in instructions.

Choose appropriate clothes to wear for the interview.

Get familiar with common interview questions and do some

practice interviews with a friend or family member.

Dress nicely – but not too nicely.

Try not to be too nervous – but they understand if you are.

Good morning: healthy breakfast, water, yoga/prayer/jog.

Arrive or log-on early.

Carry yourself in a professional manner.

Project confidence and enthusiasm. Be optimistic.

Show sincerity and commitment.

Maintain a strong posture – no slouching, nervous fidgeting.

Smile and be yourself, showing respect and courtesy to everyone.

Have a strong handshake (if it is in-person).

Breathe from your diaphragm.

Open your mouth and use clear pronunciation.

Read the following sentence out loud, but pronouncing only the vowels. Read it again, pronouncing only the consonants. Finally, read the sentence completely.

“The earth has music for those who listen.”

--Shakespeare

1. Introductions and Breaking the Ice

2. General Information Sharing

3. Further Probing of Key Characteristics

4. Solicit Questions

5. Closing

Have a conversation. There is no “right” answer.

Show them, don’t tell them.

Follow the interviewer’s lead in both your tone and in the timing of

introductions and conclusions. Never try to cut off the interview.

Listen to the entire question asked by the interviewer. Do not start

your response until the interviewer has finished speaking.

Replay: Once (s)he has finished asking a question, replay it in your

mind so you make certain you completely answer what was asked.

Decide: Think about your response prior to answering. This will only

take a second and will help you formulate an effective response.

Close each answer.

If you start to ramble and realize you are off on a tangent, that’s ok

– pause for a minute, smile, and start again.

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Take turns being the interviewee and the

interviewer.

Make notes about the interview.

File away any contact information that the

interviewer and other admission staff offered.

Send a thank-you note to the interviewer.

Thank the person for his or her time and refer

to something specific you discussed.

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