Interview! If the school offers interviews, then you should take advantage.

Plan ahead. As soon as you decide where you want to visit, call and make arrangements for an interview. Interview slots fill up very fast, particularly in July and August and during other school breaks.

Dress comfortably but neatly. Remember, you will probably be walking around campus on the tour for an hour so dress appropriately for the weather. Wear comfortable shoes! Wayland dress code is appropriate. Girls - don't wear very short skirts or shorts.

Be punctual! Try to arrive at least 10-15 minutes before your interview time and no more than 30 minutes before your interview (unless you are touring or sitting in on an information session prior to the interview). Sometimes tours run long and get you back to the office late. Ask before you go out on tour how long it will take and if you should leave early to get back for your interview. Most admission officers don't mind if your are 10-15 minutes late getting back from the tour but more than that can mess up their entire day's schedule.

Relax. Interview styles vary among colleges and interviewers but in general they will be laid back. Interviewers are not out to trip you up. Although they may use the interview to evaluate you they are also trying to recruit you so they will want to leave you feeling like the interview went well.

Make eye contact. Don't stare directly into their eyes but look at their face. Don't gaze around the room or stare at the floor.

Follow up. Get your interviewers' business card and send a thank you note within three days of your visit. If you are on a long college visit trip then you can wait until you get home but it is easier to do it a few at a time and right after your campus visit.

Be open, be yourself. This is your chance to let the school get to know who you are beyond the numbers.

Be prepared. Go over practice questions. Don't rehearse what you'll say but give some thought to your answers. Research the school beforehand and have thoughtful questions for the interviewer. Don't ask questions that you can easily find answers to in the viewbook or online.

Sample questions:

How is the summer/junior year/senior year going?

What are your summer plans?

What's your school like?

Who are your favorite teachers and why?

Favorite subjects? Why? (and don't say, "I like it because I do well in that subject.")

Favorite books or authors and why?

Describe a research project or paper you have worked on. How'd you pick the topic? What was the most interesting thing you learned?

Extracurricular activities? What's your favorite, why?

If in athletics: how'd the season go? Interested in playing in college?

What activities do you think you will pursue in college?

What are you thinking about majoring in? Career plans?

Describe family: Brothers/sisters? Older? What was their college search like? What's their advice on the process?

**Be prepared for follow-up questions on anything you say**