Getting to Know you interview questions
Closing Remarks
How you end an interview can have an enormous influence on your odds of winning an award. The goal is to leave your interviewer confident in your personality, skills, qualifications, and fit for the scholarship.
Is there anything else you'd like to add? It is crucial to show the interviewer that you are serious about this program. This question gives you an opportunity to make any additional points or highlight anything that you may have not covered in your response beforehand. If you have something relevant to share that didn't come up naturally in the interview, this is the time to mention it.
I believe that I am an ideal candidate for this scholarship because my personal qualities, educational background, commitment to community service, passions, and future plans align with what this program represents. I am honored to have been invited to meet with you all today and I look forward to hearing from you. Thank you for all that you do for my local community.
How do you define failure? This question is meant to see how you respond when faced with a challenge and gain insight into your problem-solving skills. It is important not to simply say that failure means giving up, as this will show that you lack initiative and drive. The best way to answer this question is by using personal experience, demonstrating what you learned from it, and how you've used the lessons for self-improvement.
I define failure as a missed opportunity. When...
What is your dream job? This question allows the interviewer to gain a better understanding of your goals and ambitions. The position doesn't need to be overly specific but should reflect the skills and responsibilities you hope to use. It also should tie in with the scholarship.
My dream job is to work as a physical therapist with athletes. Throughout my life, I have been drawn and encapsulated by the experiences and people I have encountered through athletics. I have always admired my coaches and trainers and am endlessly grateful for their ability to help me reach my goals. I aspire to open a physical therapy practice, perhaps attached to a performance training center, and specialize in working with athletes. I will be the person who helps them get back to performing in the sports they love, demonstrating how to persevere through setbacks, and be a role model they can look up to.
What subject is your favorite in school? Or a meaningful experience in school? This is another question where you want to show your personality more than just listing off random facts about yourself. You should choose a subject that relates to the scholarship and/or one you are passionate about. You can mention how this subject makes you excited, why it's important for you to study it, etc. Your answer demonstrates your interest in learning and in taking your education further.
My favorite subject in school is biology because it is something that I can apply to my future career. I am facinated by how resilient the human body is and how all the systems work together to function as one. My favorite experience at Sacred Heart is the day of sharing, explain what it is and how by volunteering together you became closer to your classmates and gave back to community. because
Tell me about your leadership experience. Interviewers use this question to gauge how you build and maintain relationships, how you work with others, and how you motivate them to get something done. Highlight a time when you had to lead a team or group and how you inspired them to achieve a goal. Remember stories are more memorable than statements, so paint a detailed picture and avoid generalizations.
As one of my softball team's captains, I am in the position of helping to run practices and mentally prepare my teammates to do their best. I am also the catcher. As the catcher, I am the only player who can see everything happening on the field. I am the lead communicator, directing plays, controlling the tempo of the game, and instilling confidence and encouragement in my teammates.
How did you choose your major? Interviewers use this question to learn about your passions and interests. When answering, try to align your major to the scholarship. Highlight the attributes of the major you're excited about but steer clear of talking about money. For example, engineering might be a lucrative major, but talking about it isn't likely to score you any points. As always, specific examples and stories are more compelling than generalizations.
Find a job you love and you will never work a day in your life. In contemplating this, I made it my mission to discover a career in which I hold such a passion. Throughout my life, I have been drawn and encapsulated by the experiences and people I have encountered through athletics. I have always admired my coaches and trainers and am endlessly grateful for their ability to help me reach my goals. I want to have the same impact on young athletes that my coaches had on me. I aspire to open a physical therapy practice and specialize in working with athletes. I will be the person who helps them get back to performing in the sports they love, demonstrating how to persevere through setbacks, and I will be a role model they can count on.
Tell us about yourself. This is the most popular among interview questions. It's often used to "warm up" the interviewee. A good answer is concise, provides a brief bio, and highlights why you're the right person for the scholarship. Use your answer as an opportunity to spotlight the achievements, personality traits, skills, and experiences that make you an ideal candidate for the scholarship.
Hi, I'm a senior at Buffalo Academy of the Sacred Heart. I've been passionate about health and fitness since my middle school days. Over the past few years, I have explored this passion by taking extra courses in Anatomy and Physiology and plan to shadow my neighbors who are both practicing physical therapists this summer. In addition, I have volunteered with the Hot Corner Futures Foundation where I am working with like-minded athletes and trainers to create opportunities for disadvantaged children to participate in youth sports. Add something here about the gym being your happy place and how fitness and movement has such a positive impact on mental health and self-esteem.
Who do you look up to? Who is your role model? The expectation of this question is to see which qualities you admire, what inspires you, and who has shaped your interests or helped you become who you are today. This could be a public figure, teacher, mentor, family member, friend—really anyone. Your answer should demonstrate your values and align with the values of the scholarship.
I admire my Aunt Teresa because she is hardworking and is a natural leader. More importantly, though she is caring, thoughtful and generous. Every year she organizes the family's participation in the St. Bonaventure turkey trot and then we always take donuts to the local hospital for those working on Thanksgiving. She is an example of service and putting others' needs above her own.
Were you involved in any activities at school or in your community? Interviewers use this question to better know an interviewee's interests outside of their application and gain an understanding of their involvement at school and in the greater community. This question provides an opportunity to talk about experiences and involvement in clubs or sports. It's also a chance to talk about how you contribute to your community or help people in need.
I am a member of the Cordette yearbook editorial staff and a member of the National Honor Society where I have the opportunity to tutor younger students in courses that I have taken. I am the captain of my varsity softball team where I have been a 4-year starter and received recognition for the All WNY large school softball team last season. I also actively volunteer in my community. My current service work is with the Hot Corner Futures Foundation. I enjoy having a balance between physical, intellectual, and volunteer activities because they keep me active in different ways.
Why should you be the one to receive this scholarship? It's sometimes easier to reposition this question to what makes you unique. Scholarships can receive hundreds, even thousands, of applications—so what makes you stand out and more deserving than other applicants? This is your chance to make a case for yourself and show the interviewer why you're the right person for the award; link it to your passions, tie it to your skills, and show the positive effect the funds will have.
I am applying for this scholarship because I believe my work ethic, commitment to service, and determination make me an excellent candidate. This year, I am helping to organize several days of giving in the Lockport, WNY, and Western PA regions with the Hot Corner Futures Foundation. This scholarship will help me acquire the education I need to pursue a career as a physical therapist and also to continue to impact youth through direct engagement opportunities in sports and fitness who may not have the ability to afford these programs. I began my athletic career playing on the softball fields of Lockport Little League. Lockport's people and community (DeSales, DMDA, ANJO, and so many more) have blessed me with opportunities and I want to pass that on in my future career.
How would you describe yourself? This question allows interviewers to get to know you better as a person, understand how you perceive yourself, and gain further insight into your personality. Highlight the traits that are relevant to the scholarship and call attention to any relevant skills.
I believe my positive attitude and ability to work in a team environment and my personal determination contribute to my character. In my part-time job I have to ensure customer satisfaction and engage positively with a variety of co-workers and customers - I pride myself on this. I also think that I am determined and willing to put in the extra time and effort to go above and beyond in order to reach my goals. This has been true for me in athletics and also my education at Sacred Heart. I have continually chosen challenging courses (4 APS this year) in order to push myself and gain the most that I can from my high school experience.
Why did you choose to apply for this scholarship? This question is designed to gauge your interest in the scholarship and your fit with it. Share specifics of what excites you about the scholarship and how it aligns with your college and future goals. Keep your answer positive and focus on the best aspects of the scholarship.
I chose to apply to the Rotary Club Scholarship because I've always been passionate about community service. Throughout high school, I have volunteered with many local charities such as the teachers desk, feedmore wny, Beacon Health Services, and the Hot Corner Futures Foundation. I was excited to pursue a scholarship opportunity that was focused on giving back to the community. As a student who attends a catholic high school, there are not a lot of local Lockport scholarships that are inclusive to non-public school students. I really appreciated that about the Rotary Club - because I am just as connected to the Lockport community as my friends at Lockport High School. I'm excited to use this scholarship to pursue my passions at college and engage with other like-minded individuals to help make my community a stronger and more vibrant place.
Describe your personality in three words. The interviewer is looking for a glimpse of your personality, to understand how you view yourself, and to see if you're a good fit for the scholarship. Make sure to concentrate on your unique talents and skills in your response and avoid jargon along with irrelevant and pretentious words.
I would say that I am resourceful, determined, and generosity . I have a way of finding solutions to problems, even when the answer isn't clear. I believe in tackling challenges head-on and with tenacity. I also look for opportunities to be generous with my time and my talents. If I can help someone in need then I view it as my responsibility to do so.
How will you use the scholarship money? This question is to make sure the scholarship will go to good use. The interviewer wants to know if you are serious about the scholarship application and will represent the scholarship sponsor in a positive light. Have a budget prepared and highlight how you'll use the funds to further your education. If you don't have a plan, it will be difficult for the scholarship to believe that this scholarship will be beneficial to either party.
I would use this money toward my bachelor's degree in exercise science with a concentration in pre-physical therapy. Furthermore, I would use this opportunity to shadow local physical therapists and volunteer in my school's athletic training office so that I could gain more insight into this field. Having this scholarship would allow me to worry less about finding a paid job to fund unpaid internships or shadowing opportunities and would allow me to focus more on my studies.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years? This is a question to learn about your future aspirations and goals. It's also an opportunity to show the scholarship committee that you are ready for college and beyond. You want your answer to demonstrate that you have a plan moving forward; it doesn't have to be super specific or set in stone, but you should have an idea of what you hope to achieve. You'll also want to speak to how the scholarship fits into your future goals.
In five years, I plan to have graduated from Cedarville with a degree in exercise science and have been accepted to a graduate degree program in physical therapy. At this time, I will be involved in shadowing and internship experiences. I am excited to think of how this scholarship could help me gain the education to pursue a career in physical therapy.
What motivates you? This question is usually asked to see what motivates you to do your best, but more importantly, provides you with a chance to show off the positive aspects of your personality. Your answers should focus on something that aligns with the scholarship—was there something that jumped off the screen/page when you read about it? Equally important to what you say is how you say it; make sure your answer is positive and enthusiastic.
Kindness and a desire to leave the world a better place is my main motivator. Talk about Gregory's gifts and elving here.
How do you manage stress? This question seeks to determine how you deal with difficult situations. It's common for students to respond that they like to focus on what is happening in the present moment, but this answer will show that you do not have a strategy for coping with stressors. A better way to answer would be by mentioning a specific skill or habit that you have developed over time. Make your answer memorable by citing a specific example of a stressful time and how you handled it.
Last spring, I was feeling particularly taxed -- I was taking two AP courses, studying for the SAT, playing varsity softball, dancing at DMDA, and actively pursuing college recruitment. I felt a lot of pressure to get everything done and to be perfect at all things, and it was overwhelming. I'm a very organized person, and when I have a lot of work to do, I break it down into manageable tasks. Seeing everything all at once can be exasperating for me, but if I give myself smaller goals to meet each day then it all becomes more manageable.
What is your favorite book and why? This question is asking you to show your personality and interests. It aims to get a sense of who you are so they can determine if you would be a good fit for the scholarship. Share a book that you enjoy, are comfortable talking about, is substantive enough that you can explain its importance, and aligns with your interests and passions.
My favorite book is Divergent by Veronica Roth. The main character, Tris, is charged with choosing a faction or personality trait that will define her future life. She chooses, daughtless, which because she is small and not very strong, is challenging for her. What she learns throughout the book is that you don't have to fit into one category to define you. I think that I relate to Tris because I also strive to be diverse in my passions, interests, and activities. I like to believe that I too can be smart, fearless, kind, honest, and selfless. These traits are not exclusive of each other.
Tell us about your greatest strength and greatest weakness. Interviewers love this question, as it allows them to judge your self-awareness, honesty, and interest in personal growth. strengths: prioritize quality over quantity and focus on two or three attributes that are relevant to the scholarship. Stories are more memorable than generalizations, so share examples of how you demonstrate your best characteristics. weaknesses: It can help to reframe the second half of this question—opportunities for improvement. No one is perfect, but you're conscious of the areas in which you struggle and are taking steps to improve.
My greatest strength is that I can prioritize what needs to be done first today and which tasks can wait until tomorrow. Because of this, I'm efficient with my time management and able to succeed in both school and extracurricular activities. However, my greatest weakness is that I want to participate in every opportunity that presents itself. I have the potential to spread myself too thin, so I have been working on going through pros/cons before I commit to something and visualizing my commitments on a calendar to honestly assess whether I have the time to truly dedicate myself to each activity.
What are your biggest accomplishments? This question allows interviewers to learn about your achievements while also gaining insight into your ability to set goals and achieve them. Bring up something that makes you stand out from other students, especially if it's related to the scholarship you're applying for! Whether it's winning awards or competitions, being president of an organization, graduating at the top of your class, or anything else that enhances your application. STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) Method
Talk about recruiting process. positives & negatives
Tell me about a time when you went above and beyond on a task. This question is meant to see your dedication, motivation, and work ethic. A good answer will highlight a specific attribute you want to call attention to and use an example of a time you went beyond what was required to convey that attribute. While it's tempting to talk about a big accomplishment, it's important the story also focuses on a time you did more than you needed to. As always, include a specific example!
This last year, I've volunteered at the Hot Corner Futures Foundation. While I always make sure that my weekly tasks get done promptly, I also try to go the extra mile. Although I have surpassed my minimum required high school service volunteer hours, I have chosen to join their foundation planning committee and will continue my service even while I am away at school next year. That way I can continue to work on
23. What questions do you have for me? The interviewer is looking for you to display interest in the program by asking questions. Your response should be tailored to your particular interests and any concerns that you may have had throughout this interview. This is also a great chance to engage your interviewer with questions focused on their experience with the scholarship.
What was your favorite part of the scholarship program? What characteristics, goals, or accomplishments of the scholarship are you most proud of? What do students say is the best part of this program? What are the former scholarship recipients doing now?
Tell us something about yourself that no one else knows. This is another question designed to allow the interviewer to better get to know you and while it's a personal question, it's important to avoid sharing anything too personal or sensitive. Focus on something unique and interesting about yourself—such as an accomplishment, hobby, talent, interest, or experience—that makes you stand out from other applicants.
While I am an only child, I come from an extraordinarily large extended family. My father is one of 14 children and I am the 28th and final grandchild (although there are over 40 great-grandchildren now). This has allowed me to have deep family roots and an abundance of positive role models to gain inspiration from.
Questions about the Opportunity:
While scholarship interviews will largely be about you, it's common for them to also ask about the opportunity itself. Take a proactive approach and prepare yourself to answer questions about the scholarship.
