Sample Questions

Open-ended questions give the candidates a chance to explain themselves and their experiences. Words that begin open-ended questions are:

• What, Why, How, Tell Me, Describe, Explain, Compare, and Contrast

You should avoid direct or closed-ended questions (i.e. questions that lead to a simple yes/no response). For example, avoid using these opening words:

• Should, Is, Did, Do, Could, Would, Will

Examples of good questions

• Tell me about your school: courses, teachers, favorite subject, worst subject?
• What are the strengths and weakness of your school?
• What is your overall evaluation of your high school experience?
• If you could change your high school experience, what changes would you make?
• What are your future plans: college, major, career?
• Compare your senior year to the rest of high school. What do you expect of your senior year?
• What is a highlight of your high school experience? Is there something that will stand out; something that you will always remember?
• In high school, what would you like to turn into an independent study? -- If you could take any subject and expand it, what would that subject be?
• What makes a good teacher?
• What would be your teachers' recollection of you if one of two of them sat down to discuss you a year from now?
• What is your favorite book? Is there a literary character with which you identify?
• Is there a project, paper, lab, etc. that you were especially proud of when you completed it?
• If you could get a national grant to research something, what would you want to study/research?

Extracurricular

• What school activities are you involved in: which are the most important; to which you have contributed most?
• What are your outside activities: community, hobbies?
• What has being a member of a team taught you?
• (If a student government leader): What was your campaign platform?
• Has there been a hot topic at your school as of late?
• What kinds of activities would you like to pursue in college?

Personal

• What would you do with a free day? Academic or otherwise?
• What did you do this past summer?
• Anything you have done or experienced of which you are most proud or about which we should be aware?
• To date, what have been some of your more important responsibilities?
• What would you do if you did not attend college next year?
• What do you do when you're having trouble solving a problem?
• What qualities would you look for in friends?
• How do you think you can make an impact at college?
• What would you like your college experience to be like?
• How would you want to be remembered?
• How have you left your mark on your community?
• If you could meet anyone, dead or alive, who would it be?
• What have been the biggest failures or frustrations in your life?
• What are your best friend's strengths and weaknesses? What would they say are yours?
• If you were to make a list of things that you would like to say that you have done (attempted or completed) before graduating from college, what would be on it?
• Tell me about a person or an event that has markedly changed you.
• What would you change about yourself?
• If we were privy to your peer evaluation right now, what would it say?
• If your application went before the admissions committee, what would you want to tell them to strengthen your case? What makes you unique?
• What is something that you can't stop talking about?
• Have you ever tried something and failed, but were glad you did it? Would you do it again? What did you learn from your experience?
• What are some of the major issues affecting your peer group and what are some possible solutions?
• What have you been waiting for me to ask?