#175 Mastering College Admissions Interviews for Better Results with Alison Slater

Flourish Coaching

May 20, 2025

In this episode, Lisa and Alison Slater discuss:

Mastering college interviews as a tool for standing out in competitive admissions
Building confidence and communication through intentional interview prep
Navigating different formats and policies of college interviews
Applying interview skills to scholarships, internships, and future jobs

Key Takeaways:

Starting interview prep in junior year helps students take advantage of early opportunities, including summer interviews and scholarship deadlines that may come before applications.
Building a personal elevator pitch and identifying 3–5 core values allows students to answer questions with clarity and purpose across interviews and essays.
Practicing out loud and doing mock interviews with someone objective improves delivery, boosts confidence, and helps uncover forgotten strengths.
AI can support interview prep and school research, but the interview itself remains a valuable, real-time moment for students to show authenticity and create a personal connection.

“Interview prep is a combination of preparing the skills that you need… and doing the self-reflection to be able to speak about your experiences eloquently.” – Alison Slater

About Alison Slater:

Alison attended Bucknell University and worked in selective college admissions for fifteen years. Interviews were her favorite part of the college application process, but she found they often became missed opportunities when students arrived nervous or unprepared. Now, Alison helps students make strong impressions by preparing thoughtfully and approaching each interview with a clear plan.

Episode References:

#170 AI and College Essays: What Families Need to Know with Susan Knoppow: https://www.flourishcoachingco.com/170

#173 The Top 3 Scholarship Essays That Win Money with Leia LeMaster Horton: https://flourishcoachingco.com/173
Alison’s Practice Interview Questions: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/6680dabe235f54454a61cb47/t/67e1d8b1e9be040252804a25/1742854322162/Common+Interview+Questions.pdf

Get Lisa’s Free on-demand video: How-to guide for your teen to choose the right major, college, & career…(without painting themselves into a corner, missing crucial deadlines, or risking choices you both regret).

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