Current Interview Questions: Princeton University

I asked you to email me your college admissions interview questions--and responses are starting to come in. I've also heard from a number of people who interviewed last year--as well as from a couple of admissions interviewers themselves (alumni)--and so I decided to start posting what I've got in case you have an early-round interview coming up. 

I'll keep posting what I hear from you all season, so if you've already been interviewed by a college or university and you want to share what you were asked, either email me or post them in the comments section on a specific school's thread. 

Thanks, and good luck! ---CJ

Princeton University

Basic interview information here. All interviews are done by alumni (nothing is offered on campus), and each admissions interviewer is allowed to ask their own questions, so what you'll get may differ from the questions below--but this should give you a sense for what to expect.

• What might people who don't like you say about you?
• Why Princeton?
• What do you plan to major in? What are you goals for the future? Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
• What did you think of Obama's inauguration speech?
• What is your most meaningful extra-curricular activity? What is its importance to you?
• Tell me about your family.
• What other schools did you apply to and why?
• What activities on campus interest you? What academic programs at Princeton are you interested in?
• What makes you unique from your peers? What sets you apart as an applicant from the other students who are applying this year? (Or, my favorite version: "Why you?")

A couple of people also noted being asked in-depth about parts of their background--someone who said he was interested in drama was asked a number of questions about specific playwrights, individual plays, etc.

Finally, also note that a couple of people warned that their Princeton interviewer seemed to be at a loss for what to ask--if this happens with you, make sure you grab the opportunity and are ready with what you want to convey to your interviewer.

I'll post more specific college interview questions as they roll in. Good luck! ---CJ