How to sound like yourself in an admissions interview

The interview is not a performance test

Strong interviews usually feel less like speeches and more like thoughtful conversations. The goal is not to memorize the perfect answer. The goal is to know your own experiences well enough that you can speak about them with clarity, humility, and detail.

When I prep students, we start by identifying the stories that reveal judgment, curiosity, resilience, and fit. Then we practice answering in a way that gives the interviewer a real person to remember — not a polished script that could belong to anyone.

A useful structure

Name the moment, explain why it mattered, then reflect on what changed afterward. That small rhythm keeps answers grounded and prevents them from drifting into vague self-promotion.