Although not all scholarships require that you attend an interview, many do, and interviewing can be intimidating. But with practice and preparation, it doesn’t have to be. Here are some tips we put together for you on how to pass scholarship interviews.
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Practice, Practice, Practice
One of the best ways to get comfortable for an upcoming scholarship interview is to practice that interview! You won’t be able to actually practice with the person who will be interviewing you for the “real deal,” but you can roleplay with another adult or a friend.
The questions an interviewer will ask will vary from meeting to meeting. But common questions they’ll likely ask you are:
- Tell us about yourself.
- What do you plan to do with the scholarship money?
- Have you thought about your career goals?
- What are your plans for college?
- Tell us about your hobbies and interests.
Ask a friend, family member, or trusted adult to act like the interviewer and ask these types of questions for a mock interview. This can help you practice your reply and identify any weaknesses in your responses. Plus, you’ll be less anxious when the interview actually happens.
Prepare the Day Of
You don’t want to go into your scholarship interview looking like you just woke up – even if it’s a virtual interview! Dress appropriately and, even if it’s online, wear pants. You want to create a good first impression.
Students should also be prompt and on time for their interview. You don’t want to start the meeting off on the right foot by being late. Tardiness could mean you’re passed over for the scholarship. If the interview is at a physical location, leave with plenty of time to spare. If the interview is online, connect early to make sure you don’t have any connection or software issues, that way you can fix before the meeting is due to start.
Ask Questions
Whether you’re at a job interview or a college interview, it’s a good idea to go in with your own questions as well. A scholarship interview is no exception. Having questions of your own shows you’re prepared, have done your research, and are invested and interested in the organization.
You could ask about the organization itself. Detailed questions about why the organization is offering the scholarship. Or any points of interest you may have had during your research into the award.
So, how to pass scholarship interviews? Practice and preparation! They can be nerve wracking but practicing ahead of time and being fully prepared will make it a lot less scary! Interviewers understand you may be nervous, so don’t be afraid if you messed up slightly or fumbled over your words. Good luck!
