This post explains everything you need to know on how to ace a university entrance interview. We will talk about the typical questions you get asked in a university entrance interview and how to answer them, delivery skills on how to convey your answers, mindset training, speaker coaching, and other essential skills to finally land that dream university of yours!

Table of Contents

What Should You Do To Ace A University Entrance Interview

Spend some time preparing before speaking with the admission staff to improve your chances of landing your dream university. Consider the subjects you will likely cover, how you can present yourself as a good applicant, and how you may impress the admissions team. When preparing for a university entrance interview, remember to:

  • Prepare: Do your homework and find out as much as you can about the business and the position.
  • Plan: Give careful thought to your appearance and professional presentation.
  • Practice: Consider the best approaches to addressing typical interview topics.
  • Train: Train both your delivery skills and mentality to prepare for the challenge ahead.

The Usual Process of A University Entrance Interview

Let’s start with the basics. To prepare for a university entrance interview, one must know the process of it. Knowing how university entrance interviews happen will help you train for it and is essential to acing that dream university that you want.

Most university entrance interviews follow these steps:

Step 1: Introduction

Both sides introduce themselves

Step 2: Small Talk

To get to know each other as human beings first and to smoothly enter into the next phase

Step 3: Information Gathering

Heading into the aim of the conversation to find out more about the candidate, what he/she stands for, how he/she thinks, and abilities level.

Step 4: Question/Answer

This part heads into the deeper issues to see how the candidate fits into the university program and to understand the depths of the person’s feelings to see if the candidate is the right fit for the program. Read about the Typical Questions You Get Asked In A University Entrance Interview Here.

Step 5: Wrap-up

This part allows you to know based on the atmosphere of the room how you have done and whether you will head into the next step of the interview process (if there is a 2nd level of interviews).

What You Should Do First To Ace A University Entrance Interview

Having been interviewed for hundreds of roles because almost every role that Able gets as a Host, Presenter, MC or Actress requires an interview, meeting, or audition; it’s an essential skill to have to give your best first impression to the interviewer to get into your dream university.

There are many types of people and many go about this process differently. Some ease into the interview process slowly wanting the interviewee to feel at ease while others are straight-shooters who after a brief introduction will go straight to the point of what they want/need from you to see whether you can comply.

Knowing how to handle various types of personalities in order to answer their questions smartly and confidently is essential to acing the interview.

Having good listening skills, understanding the underlying message from the interviewer as well as answering their questions with clarity is essential to know how to best answer them. You must also showcase your personality during the interview process as most experienced interviewers look for the right personality whom they can train for the future and do not always choose the most qualified with poor interpersonal skills.

In smaller universities, interviewers may not be experienced or great communicators so the interviewee might need to ask them to repeat the question asked to understand what the question is.

Typical Questions You Get Asked On A University Entrance Interview and How to Answer Them

Reply to any greetings with a smile, hand shake (or appropriate cultural gesture) and introduce yourself by saying your name confidently and politely. Make sure your voice is audible (not too soft or too loud).

Question #1: So you graduated from…, how did you enjoy your last year of high school?

Answer to #1: Share genuinely how you felt but focus on the positive things you gained from high school especially your senior year or A-levels. Share the challenging areas and then turn the challenges into a learned experience and share it with enthusiasm with the interviewer.

Question #2: That’s wonderful to hear. I see you are interested in the field of … Can you explain why you have an interest in this area?

Share your passion since young or what led you to feel a passion for the field or area that you wish to study in. You can follow up with a short story that is linked to your personality, motivations, mentality or other traits that will allow the interviewer to gain a closer connection with you.

If you are given more time, link your field of choice to why you chose their university. Perhaps it is because their university has specialization or a certain department that is known for the field that you wish to enter.

Question #3: Interviewer might ask you why you chose their university but they may skip if you already shared that in previous question. If not, they will ask, “Why did you choose this university”?

This is where you should have already done research BEFORE you enters the interview knowing background, it’s mission, the specialization of the university and how you feel you will fit in well in this university.

If you wish, you may also share some personal reasons why you chose this university to give the conversation a more personal feel.

Questions #4: Tell me a bit about yourself. How are you unique (more common in western style universities) or How do you feel you are able to contribute to the university?

Share honestly, openly, and make sure you have eye contact whenever you are speaking with interviewer. Share smiles in between where appropriate for a smile.

Remember to always share your areas of strengths and how certain talents, skills or abilities allow you to be a well-rounded person who can thrive in their environment.

Question #5: You had mentioned some of your strengths earlier, how about areas where you have challenges. How do you go about navigating or resolving them?

Here is where you may need most practice because most young adults gets nervous when they are challenged. Be sure to stay calm and have already practiced in front of a mirror while speaking about areas where you are aware of that is in need of approvement.

You can also depending on your personal truth share you level of adaptability, eagerness to learn, awareness of self, perfectionism or other attributes that shows you have a growth mindset and is always ready to adapt and grow in a new situation.


Question #6: What achievements have you been most proud of?

This is where you get to showcase your whole self as this question does not relate only to school but also your personal life. You can mention you are a wonderful older brother or sister and you protect and look out for them as it’s an innate personality trait or you can mention other activities such as sports awards, academic awards or volunteer work that you did.

Anything that showcases your unique personality, abilities, talent or skills is to be shared here. And while sharing, be sure to be enthusiastic during the interview.

What Essential Interview Skills Do You Need To Ace A University Entrance Interview?

In our University Entrance Interview Training Sessions, we always try to understand which university our clients desire to enter into. Together, we research them and try to find out the potential interviewer and what they are like to best gauge HOW or WHAT they will ask of the client. You should be preparing yourself to enter into the interview process by doing at least 1-2 sessions with us beforehand to help you prepare your mind, calm your nerves and do your homework.

What we offer is guidance, experience, and feedback based on our interviewing experience to help you have a higher chance to get the dream university you want.

We are here to give you support, observe your behaviors and train you on how to communicate better during an interview. Learn More About Our University Entrance Interview Training Here.

Practice The Right Mentality To Ace A University Entrance Interview

The mindset of anyone who is successful is based on resilience and a proactive attitude. Being positive is great but how are you linking your personality, past experience, knowledge, and interpersonal skills to turn small talk into a wonderful collaboration? You need to see yourself as giving to the interviewer as much as they are giving to you.

Yes, you are seeking to get into your dream university and their willingness to open the study program for you, but what are you giving them in return? What is your self-worth and self-esteem when it comes to showcasing your best self to others? The interviewing process is similar to tennis where the conversation [like a ball being hit] bounces back and forth to see how it plays out. It’s not about winning, it’s about conveying who you are through authentic communications and balancing the needs required by the interviewer.

Related Posts: What is Empathic Communications?

When do you need to go for a University Entrance Interview Training?

You need a university entrance interview training:

  • If you feel nervous, anxious, care about the university entrance interview so much that you want to do your very best
  • If you are an inexperienced university entrance interviewee who is a first time university applicant
  • Have lost previous university program opportunities because you feel you should have done more
  • When you are about to meet senior admission team members and you need to make a great impression
  • If you have tendency to stutter, lose confidence under pressure, not sure how to dress or speak
  • When you feel you need a competitive edge

Learn More About Our University Entrance Interview Training Here

Why is University Entrance Interview Training important?

It is important because your career or future depends on it. It’s not only about getting into your dream university program or going to school but also about finding your purpose in life by doing what you love. If you have something that you know is what you want, then you have to fight for it. Try your very best and go and make it happen!

It’s not about talking, it’s about action through practice. That’s why University Entrance Interview Training is very important.

What You Will Need Before Your First University Entrance Interview Training

Here is what you will need before you do the university entrance interview training:

1. Willingness to do your best
2. Open-mindedness to be challenged and guided outside of your comfort zone
3. Know that you are preparing yourself mentally before you get a university entrance interview
4. Mindset to succeed because the coachee also needs to put in the effort (2-ways)
5. Clean hair cut, appropriate clothing, cut nails, and overall hygienic appearance
6. Bring in your CV or resume + other accolades or certificates received

What You Can Get From University Entrance Interview Training?

You will get:

1. Insight from a working and experienced professional who has been through hundreds of interviews
2. Up-to-date knowledge of what is expected from an interviewee
3. Mindset coaching and how to prepare yourself mentally for this potentially high-stress situation
4. How to speak with confidence and clarity
5. How to carry yourself in a way that showcases success
6. Tips by a professional presenter and a performer on body language
7. Vocal projections or voice coaching (may be offered depending on the individual)
8. Personal Experience (this can only be gained if you have gone through it because knowing an orange doesn’t mean you know how it tastes)
9. Connections (depending on the eagerness of the interviewee, tips on CV/resume will be shared and possibly connections)
10. 60-90 minutes of 1-on-1 time with Able Wanamakok

Related Posts: How to Speak with Confidence and Clarity

Final Thoughts

It’s all about your mindset. If you have a positive attitude, everything else is just a work in progress.

What are you waiting for? Hoping and dreaming that you will do well is not the same as practicing. Practice does make for a higher chance of getting that dream university study program so start your University Entrance Interview Training with us!

Sharing is Caring! Share this now: