As part of the college application process, many schools want you to meet with an admissions officer or an alumnus, either on campus or in your hometown. When admissions officers look at your application, they will look at the interview, but they will care a lot more about your grades, test scores, and college essays. A few schools require interviews or have a specific process for them.
If you set up an interview, you should really pay attention to it, even if it doesn’t mean the world to you. It gives you a chance to show off the unique qualities you can bring to campus and get to know the people who decide who gets in. Our college interview tips will help you get prepped for the big day.
Getting hired at The Princeton Review, one of the most prestigious test prep and educational services companies, is extremely competitive Even getting an interview is an accomplishment to be proud of! However, now comes the most critical part – actually acing the interview.
Walking into a Princeton Review interview prepared with strong responses to common questions asked of candidates can help give you an invaluable edge. This comprehensive guide covers 25 of the top interview questions frequently posed in Princeton Review interviews, along with advice and sample answers to help you craft your best responses.
By studying these questions and practicing responses ahead of time you’ll gain the confidence and knowledge needed to show interviewers your unique value, experience, and motivations for joining the Princeton Review team. Let’s get started mastering these essential Princeton Review interview questions!
Common Behavioral Interview Questions
1. Why do you want to work for The Princeton Review?
The interviewer wants to gauge your genuine interest and motivations for applying. Emphasize your passion for education and helping students succeed. Share specific reasons why you’re drawn to their mission, values and culture.
Sample Response: I’m deeply motivated to work for The Princeton Review because of its outstanding reputation for transforming students’ lives through top-quality educational services. Your student-focused values and innovative approach to tutoring align perfectly with my passion for empowering students to reach their academic goals. I’d love to contribute my skills in [subject area] instruction and develop professionally as part of the Princeton Review team.
2. Tell me about a time you went above and beyond for a student.
This behavioral question allows you to demonstrate your dedication to student success through a past example. Share a specific story that shows resourcefulness, empathy and commitment to supporting the student.
Sample Response: One student I tutored struggled with math anxiety and low confidence. To help her overcome this, I took extra time designing customized drills we could work through together to make her more comfortable with practice problems. I also shared relaxation techniques she could use before tests or when feeling anxious. She ended up excelling on her SAT and gaining admission to her top-choice school. It was so rewarding seeing her confidence grow.
3. How do you handle a difficult or frustrated student?
The interviewer wants to know you can calmly and positively engage with challenging students. Share your strategies for patiently working through any issues while keeping students motivated.
Sample Response: When students get frustrated, I first empathize with their challenges. I try to get to the root of why they’re struggling, whether it’s a learning difference or external factor. I ask how I can best support them and make sure to praise any progress. If needed, I suggest taking a quick break to recharge. Building that trust helps re-engage them in productive learning.
4. Tell me about a time you successfully adapted your teaching style to a student.
This question tests your flexibility and student-centered approach. Discuss listening to the student’s needs, adjusting your methods based on their learning style and measuring improved outcomes.
Sample Response: I once worked with a student who was highly visual. I noticed just explaining concepts verbally wasn’t resonating with him. So I shifted my approach, using diagrams, concept maps and graphic organizers to teach the material. Allowing him to visualize relationships between concepts made a huge difference. His scores on practice tests improved dramatically, which reinforced adapting instruction to students’ learning needs.
5. How would you respond if a student questioned your credibility?
For this question, admit educators sometimes make mistakes, but emphasize you take feedback constructively. Outline how you would use active listening, validate their concerns and clarify the issue calmly through facts.
Sample Response: If a student questioned my knowledge on a topic, I would first acknowledge that I appreciate them speaking up. I’d apologize if I had given incorrect information and clarify the facts. I would let the student know I’m always open to constructive feedback so we can have productive discussions. Building trust through honesty and transparency is so important.
General Interview Questions
6. How does your previous experience make you a strong candidate?
Use this opportunity to connect your background directly to the role’s requirements. Highlight relevant hard and soft skills from past jobs, academics or extracurriculars that would add value. Quantify achievements or impact when possible.
Sample Response: I believe my 3 years of experience developing curriculum and providing individualized instruction to high school students makes me an excellent fit for this role. I have a strong track record of improving students’ test scores, time management abilities, and study habits. My background in data analysis would also allow me to assess students’ strengths and weak areas effectively. Above all, I think my passion for mentorshipprepares me to motivate students to success.
7. What is your greatest professional strength?
Share a top strength or capability that makes you stand out as a top performer, such as high achievement orientation, team collaboration, creative problem-solving or work ethic. Provide a specific example of applying this strength effectively.
Sample Response: My greatest professional strength is taking initiative on team projects and in leadership roles. For example, as project lead of my university’s tutoring program launch, I independently coordinated recruiting, training schedules and curriculum design. I believe this proactive leadership allowed us to build an impactful program from scratch while gaining buy-in from other tutors.
8. What is an area you’d like to improve at professionally?
The interviewer wants self-awareness. Share an honest shortcoming you are actively working to improve, such as public speaking skills, time management or delegation abilities. Demonstrate a growth mindset.
Sample Response: An area I am actively working to improve is data analysis skills. While I have a background in Excel, I would like to further develop my capabilities with analytical tools like R and Tableau to glean more insights from student performance data. I’ve been taking online courses and reading books on data science, and I’m excited to apply these skills in my next role.
9. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
This question tests if you are interested in growing long-term with the company. Express your desire to take on more responsibility and develop professionally within the organization.
Sample Response: In the next 5 years, after deepening my instructional abilities and subject matter expertise, I hope to be considered for an Instructional Lead role, supporting new tutors and developing training curriculum. I’m passionate about The Princeton Review’s mission and would love to advance in responsibility over time to help enhance educational programs and shape best practices across the company.
10. Why should we hire you?
Summarize your most relevant qualifications, motivations and soft skills. Emphasize what makes you the ideal candidate to help the company achieve its goals.
Sample Response: You should hire me because I have the perfect blend of educational experience, analytical capabilities and motivational skills to excel in this role. I’m deeply driven by improving student outcomes and will bring fresh perspectives on enhancing your programs’ efficacy. My passion for collaborating and teamwork will allow me to onboard quickly. Above all, I have the resilience and work ethic needed to help The Princeton Review maintain its reputation for exceptional education services.
11. Do you have any questions for me?
Always prepare at least 2-3 thoughtful questions based on your research to show your engagement and interest. Inquiries about training, growth opportunities, company culture or challenges are strong options.
Sample Questions:
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How do you support professional development for instructors?
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What qualities make someone successful on your instructional teams?
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What attracted you to The Princeton Review?
Preparing responses to these common Princeton Review interview questions will put you miles ahead of other candidates in demonstrating you have the skills, experience and motivations to excel. Use these sample answers as a starting point to develop your own unique talking points. With practice and confidence, you will master your Princeton Review interview and launch your career with this highly reputable company. Good luck!
Prepare for common college interview questions.
Interviewers tend to ask about the same topics. If you’re prepared to answer the following interview questions, you’ll be golden.
- What makes you want to go to this college or university? (Hint: Examples are always important. Your interviewer wants you to be as excited about the college as they were and still are.)
- What’s your favorite subject in high school?
- What do you want to study in college?
- What do you enjoy doing when you’re not in class?
- What three interesting things about you did you not tell me in your application?
- When you faced a challenge, failed, or made a mistake, what did you learn from it?
Remember, the key to getting admitted (and being happy at college) is finding your best fit school. It’s important to be yourself so that the person interviewing you can see what you can bring to the classroom. Think about why you want to go to that school, what you want to study, and what you might do after you graduate before your interview.
Practice like a prizefighter.
Being interviewed is a skill, and it requires practice. Ask your parent, a teacher, a college counselor, or a friend to help you come up with the best questions for your college interview. Answer them honestly and seriously. Then ask your “interviewer” how you came across. Also, every college interview makes you better, so try to schedule your last interviews with the schools you really want to go to.
8 Tips for Acing Your College Interviews | The Princeton Review
FAQ
What to expect in a Princeton interview?
Does everyone get interviewed for Princeton?
How to answer why Princeton interview question?
How to answer tell me about yourself in an interview?
What is the interview process like at Princeton University?
Every school has a slightly different interview process. At Princeton, undergraduate admissions interviews are 30-45 minute informal conversations where students can ask their alumni interviewer questions and discuss their educational and career goals.
Does Princeton require an interview?
The answer to that question is actually no! The interview component of a student’s application to Princeton is not required, and sometimes it is not even offered to certain students based on where they live. Basically, the chances of an applying student getting an application interview have hinged on the number of available alumni in their area.
Is a Princeton interview worth it?
However, just because the interview isn’t required doesn’t mean it won’t be worth your time. The interview can be a great opportunity for students to learn more about Princeton from someone with firsthand knowledge. It’s also an excellent chance for students to demonstrate their expertise on the school.
Why is a Princeton interview important?
Essentially, the interview can offer more insight into who a specific application is as a person beyond just the grades and scores on their application documents. This can shed important light on whether or not that student would be a good fit at Princeton in terms of who they are and what their unique point of view is of the world.
