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For applicants to engineering schools, a candidate interview may be a person’s first experience in the ‘hot seat.’ While those who attended private or preparatory schools may have enjoyed mock interview experiences with career counselors or other professionals, applicants from public schools may not have had the same institutional personnel to assist with preparation. Luckily there are some universal tips to training for an interview from all points of preparation. This is an overview of the basic dress standards, general etiquette, and response drafting to ace the candidate interview for engineering school.
Not surprisingly, preparation is paramount to ensure one’s success in appealing to the admissions committee. Two of the best, highly readable resources to learn about a future engineering career include:
Both of these books provide an entertaining yet insightful look at the tasks and responsibilities of an engineer; they can help an aspiring student learn more about this career to speak with fluency about one’s goals during the interview.
Additionally, the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) provides a helpful overview of current news and advocacy in the industry. Finally, the Accreditation Board for Engineering Technology (ABET)—the predominant accreditation entity for engineering schools—explores the educational standards for programs and can familiarize applicants with the basic curricula of programs at the bachelor’s and master’s levels.
Here is a checklist of basic information an aspiring engineering school candidate should solidify before the interview:
Finally, aspiring engineering students are strongly encouraged to engage in mock interviews with colleagues, family, or friends. Adequate preparation can ensure she assuages any nerves in a practice setting and can fully demonstrate her capabilities as a potential engineering student.
There’s no ‘one-size-fits-all’ style of dress or clothing for an interview. Still, candidates should dress professionally, reflecting their dedication to becoming a member of the upcoming engineering class. For example, the University of Texas presents a helpful dress code infographic for individuals preparing for an interview with tips about wearing minimal accessories and ironing or dry cleaning clothing before an interview. While this information is geared toward those preparing for a job interview, it is also applicable to those looking to win a spot in an engineering program.
In some cases, coordinators ask prospective students to bring specific items into interviews; in addition to these, engineering school interviewees are advised to bring a notepad; pens; multiple copies of one’s resume and personal statement; business cards (if relevant); and perhaps a computer or tablet if she wishes to show copies of a digital portfolio.
The process is not complete once the interviewee exits the room. In fact, this is an opportunity for a candidate to demonstrate a superlative interest in joining the engineering school; interviewees should always send a thank you within 24 hours of meeting with admissions staff. Whether handwritten or emailed, this extra step can make the difference between securing a coveted spot in a program or not. There should be a distinct note for every interviewer. Here is a template for a uniquely warm expression of appreciation for a person’s time:
Dear [name of interviewer]:
Thank you for taking the time out of your schedule to conduct an interview for [specific program] on [date of interview]. I appreciated the chance to meet with you and the other interviewers. [Mention something that stood out during the interview.]
As I displayed, I have a sterling academic record and exceptional experience in this field of study. [Make sure to provide evidence for this claim, again highlighting strengths touched upon during the meeting.]
I’m excited by the prospect of pursuing an engineering degree at [name of the college or university], and I hope to have the privilege to attend in the coming year. I look forward to hearing from you.
Respectfully,
[Name]
[Phone number and email]
[Website or online portfolio website]
Offering confident and competent answers to questions during an engineering school interview highlights a candidate’s commitment to the program and foundational knowledge of the field. It is unnecessary to memorize specific responses; nothing the candidate says should appear rehearsed. That said, drafting sample answers and using frequent repetition in a mock environment can ensure an interviewee will respond in the real setting with fluidity and poise. While preparing for interviews, candidates are encouraged to do the following:
The following is a list of common questions during interviews for engineering schools.
At the outset, admissions interviewers for engineering schools typically try to put candidates at ease with a general opening question.
Since many interviews open with this, it’s an opportunity for a candidate to make a winning first impression, presenting a polished narrative about one’s road to engineering school and why she is the best possible contender for the position. This story should have a compelling flow and demonstrate one’s potential as an engineering student. In addition, members of underrepresented groups in engineering (e.g., women, minorities, LGBTQ) may want to speak about any struggles with prejudice (if relevant), and how they overcame those difficulties. To draft sample responses to this question, a couple of other starting points for candidates include:
Another typical question for admission to engineering school asks the aspiring student why she wants to attend the specific institution. Again, students have varied reasons for applying—the quality of the program, its reputation, the ability to work with a particular professor, etc.—and again, this is a chance for a candidate to show her unique reasons for attending. As mentioned above, it may behoove an interviewee to speak specifically to the following:
This is similar to the previous question, although it allows for significantly greater breadth. Engineering school candidates should present a comprehensive yet concise answer during the interview. Some interviewees may cover this topic in the ‘tell me about yourself’ narrative, and others may want to draft sample responses paying thought to the following:
At the undergraduate level, students may still be deciding which subfield of engineering to study; the obvious specializations include mechanical, electrical, software, aerospace, civil, and others. Even better than focusing on a broad-based subfield, however, is developing a response on a particular technology or research field such as robotics, artificial intelligence, or big data.
For an examination of world-changing careers in one subfield, for instance, check out this link to benevolent careers in software engineering. In addition, offering specificity in one’s chosen specialization and anecdotes of hands-on experience, if possible, lets an admissions committee know that a candidate has thought carefully about her passions.
Interviewers may ask a candidate how she would likely contribute to the specific program. This is a chance to paint a picture of one’s original research project, ideally a development that would bring prominence and pride to the school. In addition, interviewees should weave in details from past projects and accomplishments to show admissions committees their track record of success in overcoming challenges, working well with others, and maintaining a solid worth ethic.
This question is a mainstay of many interviews for engineering programs, as it allows the applicant to present factual information about her planning process, course of action, and accomplishments. It’s important to note that the interviewer may not solely be asking about the applicant’s successes in engineering but may hope to hear more about the individual’s capabilities, especially when pursuing a goal. Any aspiring student preparing for an interview should have a detailed, personalized answer to this type of question.
Candidates should be able to confidently explain what they hope to do once they obtain a degree in engineering. Some applicants may already have a solid vision of their desired career, such as working on mobile engineering apps for iOS or designing energy-efficient buildings for cities. In contrast, others may simply know they wish to work within a specific industry or sector (e.g., non-profit). Candidates are strongly encouraged to formulate a compelling, detailed story about where they see themselves in the years after graduation from a program.
This answer should always be ‘yes’ as it conveys an applicant’s interest. Make sure to come up with questions about the program, facilities, or faculty in advance, especially inquiries which subtly flatter the institution, such as:
I noticed that Dr. _____ recently received a grant from the National Science Foundation for her work on _____. Securing funds for my research is very important to me. How much hands-on experience do students typically get in fundraising for projects or attending conferences?
Other possibilities include:
Finally, engineering school interviews may also involve some calculations or programming tasks to gauge knowledge and facility with problem-solving. These vary widely by one’s intended engineering specialization, and candidates may ask program coordinators in advance if there is an applied component to the interview.
After graduating from UC Berkeley, Jocelyn traveled the world for five years as an English teacher and freelance writer. After stints in England, Japan, and Brazil, she settled in San Francisco and worked as a managing editor for a tech company. She’s recently become interested in the underrepresented groups in STEM fields and published a piece on Women in Engineering. When Jocelyn isn’t writing about college programs and professors, she satirizes global politics and other absurdities at Blore’s Razor (Instagram: @bloresrazor).
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