美本學校的面試問題清單

TOP大學喜歡什么樣的學生

很多高年級學生在申請大學、美高或者轉校時，會在申請環節遇到面試。由于缺少經驗，大部分學生遇到面試環節很容易膽怯。但是在阿基米看來，只要準備充分，面試環節是讓校方看到與眾不同的你的絕佳機會——要知道，并不是所有的學校都有面試機會，一般來說，越selective的學校才會有面試環節，擁有面試機會，說明離夢校又進了一步。在討論面試考察學生哪些方面之前，先來說一下美國top大學喜歡哪些學生。熟悉美國大學申請的學生／家長都知道，申請材料中這些元素最重要：

1）分數，主要體現在高中GPA成績、托福、 SAT；

2）文書；

3）學生參加的課外／課內活動。我個人的看法，招辦希望通過這三項去考察學生的學業水平（intellectual ability)、學術好奇心(academic curiosity)以及潛在領導力（extracurricular leadership)。

換句大白話，top大學喜歡這樣的學生：智商高、情商高、學習成績好但又不是讀死書、喜愛探索未知領域、領導力棒的孩子。

多說兩句“leadership”。美國其實是一個競爭非常激烈的社會，父母和老師在孩子很小的時候就會幫助孩子樹立競爭的意識，去鼓勵孩子參加各種有勝負之分的競技比賽（足球、籃球等等等）。美國家長支持孩子參加團隊活動（teamwork)的深層次目的是希望孩子通過teamwork去“stand out”，即美國父母內心的潛臺詞是“你們都看到了嗎？我家娃才是這個team的靈魂人物。”“standout”的方式之一就是在團隊活動中充當“leader”的角色。

中國也是一個競爭非常激烈的社會，但是部分家長對于競爭的理解主要停留在“考試考第一”這個層面；面對可以體現孩子“leadership”的團隊合作時，又希望自家的孩子不要過于鋒芒畢露。對于希望孩子入讀美國top大學的中國父母們，我非常希望父母朋友們切換一下思維去理解“teamwork”與“leadership”。

再說回到面試的時候面試官考察層面，至少對于我來說，我希望通過短短20分鐘的時間盡可能地發現學生在“intellectual ability”、“academic curiosity”、“extracurricular leadership”這三個層面上到底有沒有貨。

常見面試問題背后的問題

Question 1: Tell Me About Yourself

面試官為啥問這個問題：“介紹你自己”估計是面試官最喜歡的一個問題了。面對一個陌生的學生，這是讓面試官最快時間了解學生的過程。與此同時，整個面試的最終目的就是讓面試官盡可能地多了解學生。

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!

通過這個問題，面試官希望了解到：你和別的選手到底哪里不一樣，盡量避免陳詞濫調。光說“我喜歡讀書、跑步、彈鋼琴”，只能讓你立馬成炮灰，一定要解釋為什么喜歡讀書跑步彈鋼琴”

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?

面試官為啥問這個問題：面試官希望了解到，學生是不是真的對該大學感興趣，這個學生到底適不適合該大學。

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.

通過這個問題，面試官希望聽到：你對該校的某個專業/學術項目/校園文化/課外活動（比如美國大學常見的greek life）有著真正的興趣。回答的時候，不僅要回答“是什么”，還要解釋清楚“為什么”。

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?

面試官為啥問這個問題：學校希望知道，如果把你錄進來之后，你能夠在哪些學術領域發光發熱，換句話說，學校想知道你的潛力有多大。

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.

通過這個問題，面試官希望聽到：你怎么形成自己的優勢的？你打算怎么繼續利用好自己的優勢？千萬不要給出一個過于簡單的回答，“我理科很擅長”。

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?

面試官為啥問這個問題：高校希望錄取的學生非常優秀，與此同時高校也很清醒，知道哪怕再優秀的學生也有缺點。比如生活大爆炸的謝耳朵，智商正的爆表，情商負的爆表。面試官希望通過這個問題了解到，學生是否可以克服自己的短板、迎難而上。

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.

通過這個問題，面試官希望聽到：學生是怎么面對、克服困難的。學生可以用一個很具體的事例，去證明自己去克服短板、解決問題的實力。所以這個問題，面試官不想聽到學生討論“我的弱勢到底有多弱”，而是想聽到學生說“我怎么去面對自己的短板，我有多強大”。

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?

面試官為啥問這個問題：站在學校的立場，學校希望錄取的學生不僅能夠適應學校的環境，而且要讓學校變得更好。換句話說，學校錄取優秀的學生，優秀的學生/畢業生/校友會讓學校變得更加優秀，這是個良性循環。

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.

通過這個問題，面試官希望聽到：你的存在，怎么能夠產生一個積極的影響？你有沒有一個特別感興趣的學科研究？你想不想在兄弟會/姐妹會里做個小領導？在學校所在社區，你有沒有想去從事的項目？

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?

面試官為啥問這個問題：面試官不指望學生能夠把10年之后的具體生活細節描述出來（講真，面試官連自己10年之后會是啥造型都不一定能夠說得清楚），但是面試官希望知道你的人生規劃，進而確定你是一個有方向的人。

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.

通過這個問題，面試官希望聽到：大學喜歡錄取不僅有目標、而且可以有執行力去實現目標的學生。千萬不要只回答“我希望有一個前途無量的職業生涯，去改變世界”——這叫吹牛。要回答，你具體想做什么？如果想改變世界，你的計劃到底是啥？回答這種問題，不一定是什么宏偉的計劃，也可以是接地氣、溫馨的計劃，比如“帶家人度假”、“和最好的朋友一直保持聯系”。在準備這個問題時，你可以畫一張圖，認真想想，10年之后，希望自己有什么樣的生活。這個圖一定要體現你的與眾不同。

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?

面試官為啥問這個問題：面試官希望了解到你解決問題的能力，更好地了解你在擇校時比較看重什么。換句話說，通過了解“你想改變什么“，面試官多了一點信息量去了解“什么對你重要”。

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.

通過這個問題，面試官希望聽到一個有思想的回答。不要僅僅說“我要改變這改變那”，而要說“我要提高這里，因為什么”。要讓面試官了解到，你的這些建議能夠讓學校的所有學生受益。

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?

面試官為啥問這個問題：面試官想知道你的價值觀。喜歡周杰倫和喜歡鋼鐵俠的學生，價值觀可能就不一樣。

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.

通過這個問題，面試官希望聽到：如果喜歡周杰倫，要說為啥喜歡這位哥；如果喜歡鋼鐵俠，不能光說他很酷。

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?

面試官為啥問這個問題：幫助面試官了解到學生的興趣。學校也要確保，面試的這個學生，真的是個讀書的貨。

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.

通過這個問題，面試官希望聽到：不要光說書名，還要解釋為啥喜歡這本書，這本書哪里激發到了你？書里的哪個人物、哪個事情和你產生了共鳴？這本書有沒有改變你看問題的角度？

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?

面試官為啥問這個問題：面試官想知道在面對困難時，你是否愿意堅持下去

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.

通過這個問題，面試官希望知道你是否有韌性。具體解釋自己的困難時，重點不在于這個困難到底有多難，而是你怎么去面對它、解決它。困難可以是生活中、學校里、家庭里、課外活動上的相關困難。

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?

面試官為啥問這個問題：每個人都是獨特的，但是關鍵要知道你的獨特到底在哪里。

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.

通過這個問題，面試官希望更好地了解到學生的個性和背景。

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?

留學申請最重要的兩點注意事項

第一，千萬別磨嘰。早點把文書寫好，早點提交申請，早點申請面試，機會是給行動早的人。拿面試舉例子，我只面試了ED1輪前13個人，ED2輪和RED輪的前20個人。后續申請面試的孩子，我肯定他們一定也很優秀，但是我統統不在面試了。

第二，提前規劃。如果有出國的想法，那就合理規劃，能夠早一點出去讀書，就盡量早一點，早一點適應美國那一套的教育體系，早一點積累自己在美國的各種資源。如果決定在國內讀完高中再去美國讀書，建議初中階段就開始多參加各種社會活動，暑假的時候參加些有實際意義的夏校活動。