Tips for Indian Students Facing Online Admission Interviews

You’ve received an online admissions interview invite; Congratulations! Since many schools extend interview invitations only to a carefully selected group of applicants, your application has clearly made a good first impression. Receiving an interview invite can be exhilarating and, at the same time, a little nerve-wracking. But don’t worry. Think of it as a “conversation’, not as an “oral exam”. Don’t feel pressurized to give “perfect answers” because there are none. Let’s share some insights into what the interviewer is actually trying to assess. Understanding this can ease a lot of the pressure.

Understanding What An Interview Is

1. How authentic and logical are you? Some of the things you must have mental clarity on are your preparation, motivations, future plans and what makes you a good candidate.

2. Remember that interviewers are looking beyond your academic / intellectual capabilities, trying to assess whether you’ll be a good cultural fit for their university, for your cohort, within and outside the classroom. Of course, they are interested in knowing whether or not you’ll be able to handle the rigors of a challenging academic program. However, they are equally interested in knowing whether or not you have anything to offer and contribute to their university. So, an interview is also a sort of ‘personality test’.

3. The interviewer might not be familiar with the curriculum in your country, grading system, or even the organisation(s) you have worked with. They may also be trying to understand more about a certain non-academic activity you did, which has caught their interest. For example, you may have pursued some very interesting things like training under a classical singer/dance guru, or you may have co-founded a local startup; they may want to learn more about that. They may also be interested in knowing more about an aspect of your personal background that may have shared in the essays. So, an interview should be viewed just be an easy-going dialogue where the interviewer is not only necessarily trying to ask questions that they already know the answers to (like “testing” you); they may very well be asking questions that they genuinely do not know an answer to. That puts you on a stronger footing, doesn’t it?

Now that we have a clearer idea of the purpose of an interview, and the interviewer’s expectations, let’s explore some actionable tips that can help you prepare further. Before we dive into general interview tips & strategies, it’s worth acknowledging one real challenge that many Indian students may face:

Tip 01: Differences in Accent and the Need to Pace our Talk

Indian students often speak English fluently, but sometimes talk too fast during interviews. This is something I personally experience when I am nervous. Speaking too fast can make it hard for the interviewer to follow. Remember that clear communication goes both ways. It is not just us who sometimes struggle to understand an American or British accent; they can also find it a little difficult to understand ours. So, slow down your pace and speak clearly and deliberately, articulate well to ensure your words are understood. Try practicing with someone like a friend who has studied or worked abroad, to get feedback on how clearly you’re coming across.

If and when you find the interviewer’s accent challenging to understand, please don’t hesitate to politely ask them to repeat or clarify their question.

Tip 02: Use of Certain Phrases

In India, we widely use certain phrases, and they are perfectly normal in everyday conversations here. However, they might be misunderstood by a non-Indian admissions officer. For instance, it is common for us to use “passed out” for “graduated”, whereas to an international Admissions officer, this would mean “to faint”. This could lead to a momentary confusion and an awkward pause from the listener. Another phrase commonly used by Indian students is “giving an exam”; it is actually “taking an exam”. To avoid this, be conscious of such things while you’re practicing and make these minor adjustments because you’re presenting yourself on a global platform.

Tip 03: Be Careful With Humor

Humor can be a great way to build rapport. However, in an interview, especially a formal and cross-cultural one, it’s best to hold off on jokes early in the conversation. What may seem funny or casual to you may not be taken that way by someone from a different culture. Instead, wait to get a sense of the interviewer’s tone and the environment before attempting humor. In other words, “test the waters” first. Depending on how the conversation flows, and what you are able to gauge along the way, decide if you wish to make a light (and appropriate) joke to connect on a personal level. But don’t do this too soon in an interview, or if in doubt, don’t do it at all. That’s safer than making a wrong joke at the wrong time.

Tip 04: Know Yourself (and Your Motivations)

Knowing yourself would include your goals, reasons for applying to a particular program in a particular university. You should also be clear about how & why your journey (academic, personal, professional) so far has led you to where you are today, and where you aspire to be tomorrow. So, before the interview, make sure you’ve reflected on the above. It is a good idea to anticipate questions around these, and rehearse your answers in front of a friend/family member or even in front of the mirror.

Don’t just say something generic like, “I want to expand my knowledge”. Be more specific. Talk about what you want to learn, why, and how that will help you build your future.

Practice all you want, but do not memorize.

Tip 05: An interview is Not a Memory Test

Taking our cue from the above tip, yes, it is important to prepare. But do not memorize exact answers. For instance, the same question like “Why this program?” could be phrased in several different ways. If you’ve memorized one fixed response, you may struggle to adapt your scripted answer if the question is asked in a tweaked (or indirect) way. Get your idea about key experiences, goals & motivations, crystal clear in your head, like a “ball of thought”. This can become your “building blocks”, which you can flexibly shape as per a variety of questions. Depending on the context of the question, different pieces of your story can address different questions. Remember that interviews are dynamic conversations, not oral tests like we had in school that required scripted / factual answers.

Some commonly asked questions could be:

1. Tell me about yourself.

2. Why are you interested in our university?

3. What do you want to study and why?

4. What are your strengths and weaknesses?

5. What are your future aspirations?

Avoid clichéd answers and never mention a college’s ranking as a reason for your interest. Talk about academic programs, campus culture, professors you admire, or specific student organizations that excite you. It is crucial for you to explain how the program and the university align with your experience and goals.

Tips 06: Technical & Logistical Preparation

1. Double-Check the Interview Time and Time Zone

   Indian students going for international university interviews often face time zone confusion. This can be a big problem and may result in missed appointments if not handled properly. Interview times are usually set in the university’s local time, like EST or EDT (depending on which month of the year it is). If your interview is scheduled between November and March, you would be given time in EST, and if it is March to November, they would use EDT. So, 10am EST would mean 8:30pm IST. To prevent errors, it’s best to use trustworthy time zone converters such as TimeAndDate.com or World Time Buddy. When you acknowledge the interview invite, it is also a good idea to confirm the corresponding time in IST to avoid any confusion.

   Make sure to add the right IST time to your digital calendar along with multiple reminders. Check that the meeting link is functioning, make sure the platform you’re using (Zoom or Teams) is easy to access, and find out which email account got the invite. If you’re unsure about any part of the timing, feel free to reach out to the interviewer for clarification. Make sure to be ready at least 20–30 minutes early. This way, you can deal with any last-minute tech problems, and start with a calm mind.

2. Set Up A Good Environment For The Interview

   Preparing your answers is important. It is also important to create the right atmosphere for your interview. Besides having a quiet environment without interruptions, you must also focus on how your surroundings look to the other person on camera. For eg, make sure your room is not messy or your bathroom door is shut so that the interviewer doesn’t get an entire view of what’s in there. Such things, besides taking attention away from you, will look unprofessional, making the interviewer question your sense of hygiene and your attention to detail.

   So, find a spot in front of a plain wall, if possible. If that’s not possible, you can create a simple virtual background. Avoid spots where people might walk by or where pets could create distractions.

3. Choose the Right Device and Camera Setup

   Many laptops have cameras that give low-quality video that can make your image look pixelated (grainy). This could spoil the impression the interviewer has on you.

   If your phone has a better camera than your laptop, go ahead and use it. With apps like EpocCam or DroidCam, you can quickly transform your smartphone into a webcam. DroidCam particularly works well with Android and Windows (and also supports macOS and iOS). EpocCam works with both iOS and macOS (not with Android), and also supports Windows.

   Position the phone in landscape mode at eye level for the best visual effect. Use a tripod or something stable to keep your phone steady during the call and avoid any surprises. Make sure your device is fully charged or connected to power. Technical hiccups in the middle of the interview can be distracting.

4. Use Natural Light To Your Advantage. It Can Make A Big Difference.

   The lighting will have a big impact on how you look during the interview. Poor lighting can make your face hard to see or create odd shadows that distract the interviewer. Sunlight is the best and free source of light we have. Position yourself in front of a window so that your face gets plenty of light. Avoid sitting with a window behind you because it creates backlighting that can alter the appearance of your face. If your interview is during evening hours, place a brightly lit lamp (with a lampshade) in front of you, slightly above eye level. The light should be bright enough to light your face evenly but not so bright that it causes a glare. Use warm white or natural white bulb in your lampshade.

€ Conduct Multiple Trials Before The Interview

Before your interview, try out the platform (Zoom, Google Meet) that you’ll be using for the interview mentor. Do this with a friend / family member. Check the audio and video quality, make sure your internet connection is stable, and take a look at how you appear on screen. If you have an unstable internet connection, make alternate arrangements beforehand or go to a place (like a friend’s house) where it is more stable.

While built-in mics can work for casual uses, interviews require clear sound. Earphones or wireless earbuds with built-in microphones typically offer better sound quality. Avoid flashy gaming headsets or anything else that feels out of place.

Tip 07: Personal Presentation

1. Dress Smartly For the Interview

   Although you don’t need to go overboard with a formal suit, it’s important to look neat and put together. A collared shirt, a neat blouse, or a smart dress works best. Steer clear of casual clothing like faded jeans, hoodies, and T-shirts. Your clothes should be comfortable, tidy, and wrinkle-free. Ensure your face and hair is clean/well-groomed. All of this could add to your self-confidence.

2. Make the Right Amount of Eye Contact

   Making eye contact in an online interview can be trickier than it seems. Staring at the person on your screen doesn’t really give you true eye contact. Instead, focus on looking straight into the camera lens to create that effect. Just like in a real conversation, it’s perfectly fine to look away, now and then, to gather your thoughts. Looking directly into the lens all the time can seem a bit awkward. Finding the right balance is essential.

   Reduce the size of your video feed and position the interviewer’s image near the camera. This way, your eyes will stay focused on the lens.

© Follow Up With Gratitude

After the interview, send a thank-you email. Keep it short. Make it personal by referring to something specific that may have come up during the conversation. This could be a new perspective the interviewer shared that changed how you now view something, a helpful piece of advice they offered, or a unique aspect of the program you learned about during the interview. Mentioning such details shows you were truly engaged during the interview. Thereafter, thank the interviewer for their time.