The Vanderbilt interview

Optional interview, and it carries minor weight in the decision. Here is how it works and how to prepare.

Optional interview

Optional alumni interview (CoRPs program), ~30-45 min, conducted by local alumni in your area or virtually; offered based on volunteer availability, not all applicants receive one

How to prepare for Vanderbilt

If offered a CoRPs alumni interview, accept it , it adds a human voice to your file and signals genuine interest, even though declining carries no penalty.
Vanderbilt's alumni interviewers submit an evaluative report to the admissions office, so treat it as a real conversation: be specific about why Vanderbilt (Immersion Vanderbilt, residential colleges, specific programs) rather than generic praise.
If no interview is available in your area, Vanderbilt also accepts optional short video submissions via Glimpse (domestic) or InitialView (international) , worth doing to add a personal dimension to your application.
Not receiving an interview invitation simply means no CoRPs volunteer is nearby; it carries zero negative signal and you should not read into it.

Practice before the real thing

Rehearse real admissions-interview questions and get an honest read on your answers, what an interviewer hears, where you sound generic, and what to sharpen. We coach you; we never script you.

Practice interview questions

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