Page 10 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • March 26, 2014 Dos and don’ts for college admissions interviews When college application time arrives, most teens have taken the SAT or ACT, kept up their grades, written an essay, and completed all the forms. There is one more piece to the college admissions puzzle that could potentially gain your teen the acceptance he or she seeks: the college admis- sions interview. “Not all colleges require a college admissions interview, but many of the competitive institutions do, as do some colleges’ departments or schools that require secondary admission,” said Eileen Huntington of Huntington Learn- ing Center. “The admissions interview intimidates many prospective students, but we encourage them to approach this as an opportunity to put a face to a name, make a good impression and articulate face-to-face why they would be a great student at the college.” Huntington offers a few tips to students as they prepare for the college admissions interview: Do spend time reflecting on yourself as a candidate for admission. The interviewer might want to learn more about your reasons for wanting to attend the college and the com- ponents of your background that would make you an ideal fit. There are no wrong answers in an admissions interview, since the interviewer simply wants to get to know you better. However, the more you prepare, the more polished you will come across. Don’t present yourself as someone different than the real you. While you might feel tempted to embellish your résumé or act in a way you think might impress the interviewer, it is better to be honest about who you are and what you have to offer. That may even mean discussing lessons you have learned from challenges or failures. Do act professionally. Treat the admissions interview as a chance to share your goals, educational journey, future plans, and excitement about the college. Although the inter- viewer wants you to feel comfortable, treat this interview as you would a job interview. Come ready to answer a variety of questions about yourself in a direct and clear way. Don’t be aloof or too casual. Avoid cracking jokes, using inappropriate language, or sharing too much personal infor- mation. Relax and be yourself, but remember that this is still an interview for college admission. Do be prepared to ask questions. There is a good chance you will be asked if you have any questions. Do your research about the college and the program or programs in which you are interested and develop a list of questions before your interview. Have them ready just in case. Don’t waste valuable interview time asking about things you could learn elsewhere. While there may be time allot- ted for questions, choose those questions wisely. You could easily find out about the admissions process and extracur- ricular activities on the college’s website. “The admissions interview is a great opportunity and should not be a source of anxiety,” Huntington reminds students. “Look on the college’s website for any interview guidelines or tips, spend time preparing for the interview, and most important, put your very best foot forward.” For more tips about effective interviewing, admissions success, and more, contact Huntington Learning Center at 1-800 CAN LEARN or visit Huntington’s Resource Library at http://huntingtonhelps.com/resource/library. Founded in 1977, Huntington is a pioneer and leader in the tutoring industry. Huntington has provided quality instruction to hundreds of thousands of students and prides itself on being “Your Tutoring Solution” for students in all grades and subjects. Huntington tutors in reading, phonics, study skills, and advanced math and science subjects ranging from algebra through calculus and general science through physics. Students also count on Huntington to help them prepare for state and standardized entrance exams, such as high school entrance exams, and the SAT and ACT. Learn more about Huntington at www.huntingtonhelps.com.