Your Result: Developing

WHAT THIS MEANS

You have some awareness of what interviews require — but awareness without practice is the most common interview trap. You know what to do, but you haven't yet built the skill or confidence to do it smoothly.

The gap between developing and mostly ready is usually closed by two things: deliberate practice and honest feedback. Neither requires a special resource — just a conversation partner and a willingness to improve.

Getting a real practice session on your calendar in the next two weeks is the single highest-leverage action you can take right now.

WHY THIS MATTERS

Unprepared answers in an interview — even from a strong applicant — can feel uncertain or generic. Selective school interviewers see enough applicants to recognize the difference between genuine reflection and rehearsal.

The 'why this school?' question is the most important and most commonly underprepared. A vague or generically positive answer signals that the school isn't truly a first choice.

Interview etiquette matters more than students expect. A missing thank-you note or poor follow-up is noticed by alumni interviewers who report back to admissions offices.

WHAT STRONG APPLICANTS DO DIFFERENTLY

• —They schedule two real practice interviews — with a counselor or a teacher — in the month before their first school's interview window opens.
• —They build a 'why this school' answer for each of their top schools that is so specific it could only apply to that institution — by name, program, faculty, or experience.
• —They write a draft thank-you note template in advance so they can customize and send it within 24 hours of any interview.