how to prep for your university interview during the holiday season

by iris madeira,

team madhavi desai, counselling students since 1986 and helping families navigate international university admissions for over 37 years.

receiving a university interview invitation is an exciting milestone. it means the admissions team wants to learn more about you beyond your grades, essays and application materials.

for many students, however, interview invitations arrive during the holiday season, when school routines have slowed down and preparation can easily be postponed. having guided 29,000+ students through university admissions across 35+ countries, we've found that successful interviews rarely depend on memorising perfect answers. instead, they come from thoughtful preparation, genuine reflection and the confidence to speak naturally about your own experiences.

here's how we encourage students to prepare.

revisit your application thoroughly

before preparing for interview questions, revisit everything you submitted. read through your:

1. personal statement or common application essay

2. supplemental essays

3. activity list

4. academic achievements

5. projects

6. extracurricular involvement
   

interviewers often ask students to expand on something they've already written. being able to explain why you chose a particular activity, what you learned from a project or how your interests developed creates a much stronger impression than trying to invent new examples during the interview.

your application already tells your story, the interview simply gives you the opportunity to bring that story to life.

practise conversations, not scripts

one of the biggest interview mistakes students make is memorising answers. admissions interviewers aren't looking for rehearsed speeches. they're trying to understand how you think, communicate and reflect on your experiences. mock interviews with a counsellor, teacher or family member help students become comfortable speaking naturally. instead of remembering exact wording, focus on explaining:

1. why you chose certain subjects

2. what you've learned from extracurricular activities

3. challenges you've overcome

4. your academic interests

5. why you're interested in that particular university

   
   

natural conversations almost always feel more authentic than perfectly rehearsed responses.

stay informed about your academic interests

many universities ask students about developments related to the subject they hope to study. if you've written about engineering, economics, psychology, medicine or international relations, spend some time reading recent articles, listening to podcasts or exploring current developments in that field.

you don't need to become an expert overnight. showing genuine curiosity and an informed perspective demonstrates that your academic interest extends beyond the classroom.

prepare for common interview questions

although every university interview is different, certain questions appear regularly. students should be prepared to discuss:

1. why they chose the university

2. why they want to study their chosen subject

3. their favourite extracurricular activities

4. a meaningful challenge they've overcome

5. leadership experiences

6. future academic or career goals

   
   

rather than preparing polished speeches, think about the experiences you'd genuinely like to share. the strongest answers usually come from honest reflection rather than perfect wording.

look after yourself before the interview

preparation also means taking care of yourself. avoid spending the final evening trying to rehearse every possible question. instead:

1. get enough sleep

2. organise your interview space if it's online

3. test your technology

4. prepare appropriate clothing

5. have water nearby

6. allow yourself time to relax beforehand

   
   

a calm mind communicates more confidently than an exhausted one.

remember that the interview is a conversation

students sometimes imagine admissions interviews as formal examinations.

in reality, most interviews are conversations. the interviewer already knows your academic record.

what they're trying to understand is the person behind the application, your curiosity, communication skills, motivation and ability to reflect on your experiences. confidence doesn't come from giving perfect answers. it comes from being prepared enough to speak honestly and thoughtfully.

preparation builds confidence

strong interviews aren't about impressing admissions officers with memorised responses. they're about helping them understand who you are beyond your application.

at team madhavi desai, we prepare students through personalised interview guidance and mock interview sessions that help them communicate confidently while remaining authentic. after counselling 29,000+ students across 35+ countries, we've consistently found that students who understand their own journey perform far better than students who simply try to deliver perfect answers. preparation builds confidence. authenticity builds connection. together, they create stronger interviews.

frequently asked questions

1. how much should students prepare before a university interview?
   

   students should know their application thoroughly, practise speaking naturally and research the university and their intended course. preparation should build confidence rather than memorised responses.
   

2. is it okay to feel nervous before an interview?
   

   absolutely. feeling nervous is completely normal. most interviewers expect candidates to be a little anxious, and nervousness doesn't prevent students from having an excellent conversation.
   

3. should students memorise answers to common interview questions?
   

   no. interviewers generally recognise rehearsed responses. it's better to understand your experiences well enough to discuss them naturally.
   

4. what kinds of questions do university interviewers usually ask?
   

   questions often focus on academic interests, extracurricular activities, leadership experiences, future goals, why you chose the university and what you've learned from important experiences.
   

5. how does team madhavi desai help students prepare for university interviews?
   

   we help students review their applications, conduct mock interviews, improve communication skills, build confidence and prepare thoughtfully for university interviews across different countries and admissions systems.