美本学校的面试问题清单

TOP大学喜欢什么样的学生

很多高年级学生在申请大学、美高或者转校时，会在申请环节遇到面试。由于缺少经验，大部分学生遇到面试环节很容易胆怯。但是在阿基米看来，只要准备充分，面试环节是让校方看到与众不同的你的绝佳机会——要知道，并不是所有的学校都有面试机会，一般来说，越selective的学校才会有面试环节，拥有面试机会，说明离梦校又进了一步。在讨论面试考察学生哪些方面之前，先来说一下美国top大学喜欢哪些学生。熟悉美国大学申请的学生／家长都知道，申请材料中这些元素最重要：

1）分数，主要体现在高中GPA成绩、托福、 SAT；

2）文书；

3）学生参加的课外／课内活动。我个人的看法，招办希望通过这三项去考察学生的学业水平（intellectual ability)、学术好奇心(academic curiosity)以及潜在领导力（extracurricular leadership)。

换句大白话，top大学喜欢这样的学生：智商高、情商高、学习成绩好但又不是读死书、喜爱探索未知领域、领导力棒的孩子。

多说两句“leadership”。美国其实是一个竞争非常激烈的社会，父母和老师在孩子很小的时候就会帮助孩子树立竞争的意识，去鼓励孩子参加各种有胜负之分的竞技比赛（足球、篮球等等等）。美国家长支持孩子参加团队活动（teamwork)的深层次目的是希望孩子通过teamwork去“stand out”，即美国父母内心的潜台词是“你们都看到了吗？我家娃才是这个team的灵魂人物。”“standout”的方式之一就是在团队活动中充当“leader”的角色。

中国也是一个竞争非常激烈的社会，但是部分家长对于竞争的理解主要停留在“考试考第一”这个层面；面对可以体现孩子“leadership”的团队合作时，又希望自家的孩子不要过于锋芒毕露。对于希望孩子入读美国top大学的中国父母们，我非常希望父母朋友们切换一下思维去理解“teamwork”与“leadership”。

再说回到面试的时候面试官考察层面，至少对于我来说，我希望通过短短20分钟的时间尽可能地发现学生在“intellectual ability”、“academic curiosity”、“extracurricular leadership”这三个层面上到底有没有货。

常见面试问题背后的问题

Question 1: Tell Me About Yourself

面试官为啥问这个问题：“介绍你自己”估计是面试官最喜欢的一个问题了。面对一个陌生的学生，这是让面试官最快时间了解学生的过程。与此同时，整个面试的最终目的就是让面试官尽可能地多了解学生。

Why they're asking this: Colleges are asking you to do this because they really do want to know more about you. That's one of the primary purposes of the interview, after all!

通过这个问题，面试官希望了解到：你和别的选手到底哪里不一样，尽量避免陈词滥调。光说“我喜欢读书、跑步、弹钢琴”，只能让你立马成炮灰，一定要解释为什么喜欢读书跑步弹钢琴”

What they're looking for: You need to paint a unique portrait of who you are to separate yourself from other applicants. Avoid clichés or descriptions that would be too common. For example, don’t just say you’re hardworking—explain what has driven you to become as diligent as you are and why you feel it is important.

Question 2: Why Are You Interested In This College?

面试官为啥问这个问题：面试官希望了解到，学生是不是真的对该大学感兴趣，这个学生到底适不适合该大学。

Why they're asking this: This is an important question and one you should definitely prepare for, since colleges want to see that you’re taking the application process seriously and have a legitimate interest in attending the school.

通过这个问题，面试官希望听到：你对该校的某个专业/学术项目/校园文化/课外活动（比如美国大学常见的greek life）有着真正的兴趣。回答的时候，不仅要回答“是什么”，还要解释清楚“为什么”。

What they're looking for: Talk about your interest in a major or academic program, the cultural values of the school, or extracurricular activities that drew you to the college. Again, be thorough and specific. Don’t talk about prestige or rankings, and don't say you just want to go there because it’s close to home; none of this shows genuine interest in this specific college!

Question 3: What Are Your Academic Strengths?

面试官为啥问这个问题：学校希望知道，如果把你录进来之后，你能够在哪些学术领域发光发热，换句话说，学校想知道你的潜力有多大。

Why they're asking this: In an effort to get to know you as a student, colleges are interested in getting your perspective on where you excel academically.

通过这个问题，面试官希望听到：你怎么形成自己的优势的？你打算怎么继续利用好自己的优势？千万不要给出一个过于简单的回答，“我理科很擅长”。

What they're looking for: Don’t make this answer too short. Don’t just say, "I’m good at science." When discussing your academic strengths, explain how you’ve capitalized on your strengths. If you’re an excellent writer, for example, how have you used your writing skills to excel in school? How do you plan on continuing to use your strengths?

Question 4: What Are Your Academic Weaknesses? How Have You Addressed Them?

面试官为啥问这个问题：高校希望录取的学生非常优秀，与此同时高校也很清醒，知道哪怕再优秀的学生也有缺点。比如生活大爆炸的谢耳朵，智商正的爆表，情商负的爆表。面试官希望通过这个问题了解到，学生是否可以克服自己的短板、迎难而上。

Why they're asking this: Colleges want to admit good students, but they’re aware everyone has strengths and weaknesses. Colleges want to see that you have the persistence and work ethic to succeed despite your challenges.

通过这个问题，面试官希望听到：学生是怎么面对、克服困难的。学生可以用一个很具体的事例，去证明自己去克服短板、解决问题的实力。所以这个问题，面试官不想听到学生讨论“我的弱势到底有多弱”，而是想听到学生说“我怎么去面对自己的短板，我有多强大”。

What they're looking for: Schools want students who can demonstrate their ability to confront and overcome challenges. Try revealing strategies or specific approaches you’ve taken to improve your academic weaknesses. You could also tell a specific story about how you managed to do well in a subject that was especially difficult for you.

Question 5: What Do You Plan to Contribute to This School?

面试官为啥问这个问题：站在学校的立场，学校希望录取的学生不仅能够适应学校的环境，而且要让学校变得更好。换句话说，学校录取优秀的学生，优秀的学生/毕业生/校友会让学校变得更加优秀，这是个良性循环。

Why they're asking this: Colleges want to admit students who will make positive contributions to campus and academic life. Essentially, they’re looking for students who will make the school better.

通过这个问题，面试官希望听到：你的存在，怎么能够产生一个积极的影响？你有没有一个特别感兴趣的学科研究？你想不想在兄弟会/姐妹会里做个小领导？在学校所在社区，你有没有想去从事的项目？

What they're looking for: In short, specifics. Don’t limit your answer to vague positive traits. Don’t just say you’ll contribute a good work ethic and a regard for others. Is there specific research you wish to pursue? Do you want to have a leadership position in an extracurricular activity? Are there specific community service projects you want to do? How will your presence on campus and in the classroom make a difference?

Question 6: What Do You Expect to Be Doing 10 Years From Now?

面试官为啥问这个问题：面试官不指望学生能够把10年之后的具体生活细节描述出来（讲真，面试官连自己10年之后会是啥造型都不一定能够说得清楚），但是面试官希望知道你的人生规划，进而确定你是一个有方向的人。

Why they're asking this: Just to set the record straight, you don’t need to have your entire future figured out. Colleges understand that you probably won’t have everything decided and your plans are likely to change. What they do want is students with direction.

通过这个问题，面试官希望听到：大学喜欢录取不仅有目标、而且可以有执行力去实现目标的学生。千万不要只回答“我希望有一个前途无量的职业生涯，去改变世界”——这叫吹牛。要回答，你具体想做什么？如果想改变世界，你的计划到底是啥？回答这种问题，不一定是什么宏伟的计划，也可以是接地气、温馨的计划，比如“带家人度假”、“和最好的朋友一直保持联系”。在准备这个问题时，你可以画一张图，认真想想，10年之后，希望自己有什么样的生活。这个图一定要体现你的与众不同。

What they're looking for: Colleges want students who are motivated to achieve their goals. The bad, general answer is to only say you expect to have a fulfilling career and be making a positive impact on the world. What are some specific activities you’d like to do? How do you plan on impacting the world? You don’t have to limit your plans to professional goals. Do you want to take your mom on a vacation? Or have weekly gatherings with your best friends from high school?Question 7: What Would You Change About Your High School?

面试官为啥问这个问题：面试官希望了解到你解决问题的能力，更好地了解你在择校时比较看重什么。换句话说，通过了解“你想改变什么“，面试官多了一点信息量去了解“什么对你重要”。

Why they're asking this: With this question, colleges are looking for your ability to identify problems and get a better understanding of what you’re looking for in a school. By learning what you’d change, they get a chance to learn more about what matters to you.

通过这个问题，面试官希望听到一个有思想的回答。不要仅仅说“我要改变这改变那”，而要说“我要提高这里，因为什么”。要让面试官了解到，你的这些建议能够让学校的所有学生受益。

What they're looking for: Colleges want a thoughtful response. Be specific and respectful. Don’t say, "I’d get better teachers." Say that you’d allocate more resources to the music department so that more students can have the opportunity to learn how to play new instruments. Discuss how learning an instrument helped you, and describe the current state of the music department. Try to make it clear that you want to improve your school to benefit the personal and academic growth of all of its students.

Question 8: Whom Do You Most Admire?

面试官为啥问这个问题：面试官想知道你的价值观。喜欢周杰伦和喜欢钢铁侠的学生，价值观可能就不一样。

Why they're asking this: From this question, colleges can get a sense of your values. If the person you most admire is Justin Bieber, for example, colleges might wonder about your priorities.

通过这个问题，面试官希望听到：如果喜欢周杰伦，要说为啥喜欢这位哥；如果喜欢钢铁侠，不能光说他很酷。

What they're looking for: Don’t limit your answer just to naming the person. Why do you admire that person? For instance, many people say that the person they most admire is a parent. But what specifically has that parent done that you admire so much? In short, don’t forget the details.

Question 9: What Is Your Favorite Book?

面试官为啥问这个问题：帮助面试官了解到学生的兴趣。学校也要确保，面试的这个学生，真的是个读书的货。

Why they're asking this: This question is designed to help schools learn more about your interests. Colleges also probably want to make sure that you actually read books.

通过这个问题，面试官希望听到：不要光说书名，还要解释为啥喜欢这本书，这本书哪里激发到了你？书里的哪个人物、哪个事情和你产生了共鸣？这本书有没有改变你看问题的角度？

What they're looking for: Don't limit your answer to the name of a book; think about why you like the book so much. How did it inspire you? Did a particular character resonate with you? Did you learn something from this book that influenced your opinions or behavior? Did this book help shape your perspective or values?

Question 10: What Is an Obstacle You've Faced and How Did You Get Through It?

面试官为啥问这个问题：面试官想知道在面对困难时，你是否愿意坚持下去

Why they're asking this: Colleges want to know if you've faced (and overcome) any significant challenges in your life. They also want to see that you’re persistent and willing to work hard in order to overcome these obstacles.

通过这个问题，面试官希望知道你是否有韧性。具体解释自己的困难时，重点不在于这个困难到底有多难，而是你怎么去面对它、解决它。困难可以是生活中、学校里、家庭里、课外活动上的相关困难。

What they're looking for: It’s fine if you haven’t had some awful, incredibly difficult obstacle in your life. Think of a time when you faced a problem that challenged you, and you put in a lot of effort to solve it. Your obstacle could be related to your home life, school, or an extracurricular activity. In your response, explain how the obstacle challenged you and emphasize what exactlyyou did to overcome it.

Question 11: What Makes You Unique?

面试官为啥问这个问题：每个人都是独特的，但是关键要知道你的独特到底在哪里。

Why they're asking this：This question is essentially what all the other questions above are meant to determine. It's another general question that's often difficult to answer. We are all unique, but it can be hard to put into words exactly what separates you from other people.

通过这个问题，面试官希望更好地了解到学生的个性和背景。

What they're looking for: Schools ask this question because they want to get to know you better. You can discuss a trait or multiple traits you possess. Give examples and stories that demonstrate these qualities. Do you have any uncommon interests or goals? Is your background very unique?

留学申请最重要的两点注意事项

第一，千万别磨叽。早点把文书写好，早点提交申请，早点申请面试，机会是给行动早的人。拿面试举例子，我只面试了ED1轮前13个人，ED2轮和RED轮的前20个人。后续申请面试的孩子，我肯定他们一定也很优秀，但是我统统不在面试了。

第二，提前规划。如果有出国的想法，那就合理规划，能够早一点出去读书，就尽量早一点，早一点适应美国那一套的教育体系，早一点积累自己在美国的各种资源。如果决定在国内读完高中再去美国读书，建议初中阶段就开始多参加各种社会活动，暑假的时候参加些有实际意义的夏校活动。