Simplify Senior Year with Summer Interviews

As a rising senior, your summer is already likely packed with jobs, college visits, and other commitments–but it’s also a critical time to focus on your college applications! One smart move? Scheduling admissions interviews during the summer. Many colleges offer them in these quieter months, and taking part early shows initiative and demonstrated interest. Summer interviews are also a great chance to build your confidence, practice speaking about your goals, and connect personally with admissions officers, without the added pressure of schoolwork. A strong interview now can help set your application apart later.

TTA TOP TIP: Join us August 7-10, 2025, for our annual Application Boot Camp® to build a compelling and strategic application, complete with a polished Common App and stand-out essays. Interview prep is also included! 

SUMMER INTERVIEWS: SET YOURSELF APART

While many colleges offer live video submissions or pre-recorded video options, live interviews with alumni or admissions officers can help you to:

• Show initiative and enthusiasm early in the process, demonstrating interest
• Make a personal impression
• Demonstrate maturity, curiosity, and communication skills
• Practice in a lower-stakes setting, building confidence for future opportunities

Whether in person or virtual, interview prep is key, which we’ve discussed before. To make the most of your interview, be sure to: 

• Research the college, its programs, and the professors, especially for the programs of interest to you
• Practice answers to common questions—with a friend or family member, in front of a mirror, or by using a voice recording feature on your phone 
• Prepare thoughtful questions to ask your interviewer, beyond the basic information you can find on the college’s website

DON’T MISS YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO SHINE

While many top colleges, including most Ivies and highly selective institutions like Vanderbilt and Tufts, offer interviews only after students submit applications, other selective colleges like Bowdoin, Swarthmore, and Claremont McKenna College offer interviews to students between June and August before senior year.

To get started, we encourage you to explore our list below and schedule an interview soon while spaces are still available! Our mock interview program is also designed to help you prepare and includes plenty of practice and expert guidance to help you make a favorable impression.

COLLEGES OFFERING SUMMER INTERVIEWS

SUMMER INTERVIEWS: PREPARING FOR YOUR FUTURE

Being prepared and confident in speaking about your goals and experiences in summer interviews will make a strong impression. Planning ahead now will help reduce stress when application deadlines approach in the fall.

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Julia Spaht

Senior Private Counselor at Top Tier Admissions

A veteran teacher, advisor, and college admissions counselor, Julia has spent over 15 years coaching students to realize and achieve their full potential. Working in both public and private schools, Julia began her career teaching English and Art History to students in grades 8-12. Julia also has served as a Writing Center Director, Director of Admissions, thesis advisor, and admissions committee member in K-12 private schools, working with a diverse range of students and families at various stages of their educational journeys. Most recently, Julia transitioned into independent and private school college counseling roles, advising students throughout high school on all aspects of the college search and application process. She particularly enjoys connecting with students, learning their interests, and helping them solve problems, build confidence, and achieve their dreams. Her students have been admitted to top schools including Princeton, Cornell, University of Pennsylvania, Dartmouth, Northwestern, Johns Hopkins, Georgetown, University of Southern California, Rice, Tulane, Georgia Tech, Duke, UNC-Chapel Hill, and University of Texas-Austin. Julia graduated magna cum laude with honors from Washington and Lee University, and she also earned an M.Ed. from Vanderbilt and an M.A. from Middlebury College.

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