by Emily Hall

Created on: January 13, 2009

There are several primary considerations when choosing your outfit for a college admission interview. It may seem trivial or unimportant to you at the moment, but the truth is that the most concentration your interviewer will be able to give you will be in that first few minutes. It is a natural human trait that concentration declines sharply over a half hour period, but is rejuvenated by a rest. Your interviewer will just have had a rest, and will therefore be at the peak of his/her concentration when you come through the door. Don't waste those few vital minutes! The interviewer could form an impression of you that lasts subconsciously through your whole college career. So then - it's important to express yourself.

The first of your primary considerations is which course you are interviewing for. If you hope to study dance or physical education you may already have had a try out in the practise room or on the field, in which case, you will need considerably more clothing than others - one or two specialist outfits, your shower and sponge bag. Please, please shower. Even if you can't dry your hair, it will be better than overpowering your interviewer with BO! Think about what your course encompasses and what you hope to get out of it. If it is a science based course, you may want to express your accuracy and maturity, so a suit would be best. If you have a suit that you've worn to school for three years previously, think about investing in a new one. It will come in useful later on for job interviews, and is worth putting thought into if you can - go for a plain colour (grey is very versatile) that you can mix with coloured jumpers in the winter and different shirts in summer. If you can't afford a new suit just now, try sprucing up your old one by having it dry cleaned and changing the buttons. Often, if you buy a suit off the peg, it will look great on you and be perfectly adequately cut, but will let you down by having badly made buttons that look cheap. Buy a new set and a couple of spares in a good fabric shop or haberdashery (make sure they're the right size - take the jacket or spares along to check) and you will be amazed at the difference! It should set you back under 5, and can completely overhaul a tired suit.

If you're interviewing for a creative course like English, music or theatre, you have the most choice of all. Express your creativity by all means, but don't get too carried away with floaty layers or long earrings. Try not to wear anything

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