10 College Interview Questions and Sample Answers | Former Stanford Interviewer

Summary

In an engaging interview, Jackie, a Stanford alumna, converses with a prospective student who boasts a 4.6 GPA and extensive extracurricular involvement, including leadership roles in various clubs. The student shares their background as an immigrant, passion for creativity, and aspirations to become a doctor while exploring opportunities at Stanford. They express admiration for Stanford's renowned computer science program and its entrepreneurial spirit, which aligns with their interests. The dialogue emphasizes the importance of resilience, leadership, and community involvement, culminating in a discussion about the student's artistic pursuits and Jackie's cherished memories from her time at Stanford.

Takeaways

• 😀 Jackie, the interviewer, is a Stanford alumna from the class of 2018, studying public policy and management science.
• 😀 The interview lasts about an hour, with Jackie sharing her experiences and asking the applicant about her background and motivations.
• 😀 The applicant boasts a strong academic record with a 4.6 GPA and a 2350 SAT score, showcasing her dedication to education.
• 😀 Involvement in extracurricular activities is highlighted, as the applicant serves as president of the Interact Club and editor-in-chief of the yearbook.
• 😀 The applicant discusses her immigrant background, growing up in San Diego after moving from Indonesia at age four.
• 😀 Creativity is a central theme for the applicant, who loves storytelling, design, and considers entrepreneurship in her future.
• 😀 The applicant is drawn to Stanford due to its top-ranked computer science program and proximity to Silicon Valley.
• 😀 A pivotal achievement for the applicant was becoming editor-in-chief of her high school yearbook, which boosted her confidence.
• 😀 The applicant reflects on overcoming challenges, including struggles in AP classes during her junior year and the lessons learned from failure.
• 😀 Compassion and determination are key qualities the applicant's peers associate with her, and she values supporting friends and community initiatives.

Q & A

What is the background of the interviewer, Jackie?

Jackie is a Stanford alumni from the class of 2018, having studied public policy and management science and engineering.

What are some of the applicant's academic achievements?

The applicant has a 4.6 GPA and scored 2350 on the SAT. She is also the president of the Interact Club and editor-in-chief of the yearbook.

Where is the applicant originally from, and how did her family background influence her?

The applicant is originally from Indonesia and moved to San Diego at the age of four. Her family's immigrant experience has shaped her perspective and resilience.

What extracurricular activities is the applicant involved in?

She is involved in various extracurricular activities, including being the editor-in-chief of the yearbook, a state representative for America's Junior Miss, and participating in tennis.

What reasons does the applicant give for wanting to attend Stanford?

The applicant cites Stanford's top ranking, excellent computer science program, proximity to Silicon Valley, and the entrepreneurial spirit she admires in its community.

How did the applicant learn English, and how does it relate to her interests?

She learned English by watching movies and reading books since she did not speak the language when she started kindergarten. This experience sparked her fascination with connecting through language.

What was the applicant's proudest achievement?

Her proudest achievement was being selected as editor-in-chief of her high school's yearbook as a freshman, a role she embraced despite initial fears.

What challenges did the applicant face during her junior year?

She struggled with her grades while taking AP classes for the first time but managed to improve them the following year.

What leadership experience did the applicant mention?

She served as the student body president and initiated a Go Green movement to raise environmental awareness among her peers.

What are the applicant's future career aspirations?

While she expresses interest in becoming a doctor, she also mentions her love for writing, design, and people-facing jobs, indicating she is open to exploring various career paths.