When a group of bright, curious, talented, caring people comes together, they change one another and sometimes the world around them. 

 

Admission officers are looking for students who will create and seize such growth and learning opportunities for themselves and their peers. 

 

Of course, this isn't an easy topic to ask about explicitly. Interviewers often look for it in your answers to questions about academics and your life outside the classroom. That’s why I suggest in Tips 4 and 5, when you’re collecting material to illustrate your love of learning and your life outside the classroom, you highlight the items that also happen to show how you interact with, learn from, and support others.

 

This material is often the most effective way to show the interviewer the attributes they’re looking for, such as: 

 

• Thirst for new experiences

• Openness to new perspectives

• Thoughtfulness

• Compassion

• Empathy

• Communication skills

• Curiosity

• Creativity

• Commitment to others

 

Review the stories, anecdotes, experiences, and events that you collected about your love of learning and your life outside the classroom. The ones that demonstrate these qualities may be the most valuable you can share.

 

And if you think of additional material that demonstrates these attributes outside of your academic and non-academic categories, jot it down in the third section of the document: contributing to a community.

 

Review this section before your interview. If it includes any items that demonstrate the qualities above, pick the strongest one.

 

If the opportunity arises during your interview, share this item along with those you've selected from your academic and non-academic lists.