College Admissions Interviews for the Class of 2026

Did you know that many colleges offer interviews even before their applications open? While most applications don’t go live until August 1, several colleges are already inviting prospective members of the Class of 2026 to schedule interviews. These conversations can happen on campus, virtually via Zoom, or even in your local area—depending on the school.

Why College Interviews Matter

College interviews come in two main forms:

🔹 Evaluative interviews, which become part of your application file and are considered in the admissions decision, and

🔹 Informational interviews, which are more about helping you learn whether the college is a good fit for you.

What to Expect from the Interview

It’s important to know who’s conducting the interview—it could be an admissions counselor, a trained alumni representative, or even a current student. No matter who you meet with, these interviews are a chance to go beyond the numbers and bring your application to life.

For colleges that offer them, interviews are a powerful opportunity to express what matters most to you. Outside of the essay, this is one of the few places where your unique voice can really shine. You can highlight qualities and experiences that may not fully come through on paper—and ask thoughtful questions that demonstrate genuine interest (a factor many colleges track closely).

Colleges Offering Interviews for the Class of 2026

Below is a list of schools already opening interview slots for the Class of 2026. If one of your top-choice colleges isn’t listed here, check their admissions website to make sure they don’t have an interview opportunity—you don’t want to miss this chance to stand out.

Class of 2026 Interview Processes

Updated June 20, 2025

• Agnes Scott College: Interviews are now available and must be scheduled before your application deadline. 

• American University: On-campus interview opportunities are available Monday-Friday at 9:15, 10 am, 1 pm, and 1:30 pm

• Augustana College: Students can complete an interview during their campus visit or schedule a phone/video interview with their admissions counselor before submitting their application. Additionally, Chicagoland students who have previously visited campus can schedule an interview at the Chicagoland office.

• Austin College: Students can add an interview as part of their campus visit, or they can reach out to their admissions counselor to set one up.

• Bates College: Offers Bobcat Chats and Alumni Conversations for students to understand more about the college.

• Bowdoin College: On-campus interviews from June 2-August 22; virtual interviews from May 28-August 22 and virtual alumni options will open in early September.

• https://catalog.bentley.edu/undergraduate/admission/

• : Students can reach out to their admission counselor to schedule a virtual or in-person interview at any time.

• Brandeis University: Interviews can be scheduled directly with admissions. counselors

• Bryn Mawr College: Virtual and on-campus are now available.

• Carleton College: Students must attend an in-person campus visit or virtual information session before they are allowed to register for an interview. Interviews will begin later in May and run through mid-January. 

• Christopher Newport University: On-campus and virtual interviews are available now through February 2026.

• Claremont McKenna College: Virtual Interviews are available now through August 22. Students can also submit an optional video response if unable to interview. *Homeschool students are required to interview.

• Clark University: On-campus opportunities are now available through mid-August; virtual interviews will open later this summer. Clark also offers "Clark on the Road" interviews at events in Arizona, California, Colorado, Illinois, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, Oregon, and Washington.

• Colgate University: Virtual opportunities are available now through mid-December.

• College of the Atlantic: Virtual opportunities now through June 30. Additional opportunities will be added later this summer.

• College of the Holy Cross: Virtual opportunities are available now through August, and students can contact admissions for in-person opportunities.

• College of Wooster: Interviews are required for students to be eligible for the top merit scholarships. You can request a virtual meeting with your admissions counselor or an in-person interview during your campus visit.

• Colorado College: Students need to have attended a virtual or in-person information session or group chat to be eligible for an interview, and opportunities will open later this summer.

• Connecticut College: On-campus opportunities are now available, and virtual options open in mid-June and run through mid-December.  

• Denison University: Now through February, although January and February dates are reserved for students who have applied. Recommend an in-person interview during your campus visit or when an admissions counselor is in your area.

• Dickinson College: Students can add an interview as part of their campus visit, or they can reach out to their admissions counselor to set one up.

• Drew University: Interview opportunities will be available later this summer.

• Fairfield University: Virtual interviews begin on June 2 and will run through August. In person interviews begin on June 9 and run through August 7.

• Gettysburg College: Virtual opportunities now through Mid-August

• Grinnell College: None are currently available, but information should be posted soon. Interviews will be available through December 2, but after November 15, only students who have applied to Grinnell will be eligible for interviews.

• Gonzaga University: Virtual interviews are now available.

• Guilford College: Students may set up an in-person or virtual interview by calling the Office of Admission.

• Hamilton College: Offering video interviews through December 12. 

• Harvey Mudd College:  Virtual interviews are now available.

• Haverford College: Virtual interviews now through August 30, and many dates are already filled.

• Hillsdale College: Students can schedule an interview as part of their campus visit, and there will be some regional interview opportunities available later this fall.

• Hobart and William Smith Colleges: Not yet open but opportunities should be posted soon.

• Kenyon College: Virtual interviews are now available now through August 7.

• Knox College: Students can email admissions to request an in-person or phone interview.

• Lafayette College: Interviews are now open and run through January 15. Students can choose an in-person or a virtual interview

• Lake Forest College: Interviews are required for students applying test-optional, and you need to connect with admissions to schedule. 

• Lawrence University: Virtual opportunities are available now through August 29

• Leigh University: Contact your admission counselor for interview opportunities.

• Lewis and Clark College: Virtual interviews are available now through August 29

• Macalester College: Interviews open on August 1

• Mount Holyoke College: On-campus and virtual interviews are available now through mid-August.

• Muhlenberg College: Interviews will open later this summer.

• Oberlin College: Students applying to the College of Arts and Sciences can complete a virtual interview through August 29.

• Occidental College: Interviews will begin in August 2025. Applicants can also submit an interview via Glimpse by Initialview.

• Pitzer College: On-campus and virtual opportunities are now available.

• Quinnipiac University: Virtual opportunities are available now through August 29.

• Reed College: Students can interview as part of their campus visit or complete a virtual interview now through December 1 (ED) or December 10 (EA)

• Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT): Virtual interviews now through August 29.

• Sacred Heart University: Virtual interview dates TBD.

• Saint Anselm College: On-campus interviews are available through August 15.

• Sarah Lawrence College: Virtual interviews begin July 1. EA/ED1 students should interview by November 1. ED2/RD applicants need to interview by January 31. 

• Scripps College: Virtual interviews are now available.

• Seton Hall University: Interviews will be available later this fall.

• Southwestern University: Interviews are available after you apply. 

• St. Lawrence University: On-campus interviews are now through December 19. Virtual interviews will open later this summer.

• St. Johns College: Students can request an interview with their admission counselor at any time.

• St. Mary's College of Maryland: College Conversations are available with admissions counselors on Tuesdays and Thursdays throughout August.

• St. Olaf College: Students can schedule an interview with their admission counselor.

• Swarthmore College: In-person interviews are now available. Virtual opportunities TBD.

• Syracuse University: Interviews are now available..

• Trinity College: Students may request an interview now through the final application deadline.

• Trinity University: Virtual interviews will begin in July. Offer in-person interviews on campus and throughout TX (Austin, Houston, and Round Rock).

• Union College: On-campus interviews are available on Monday, Wednesdays, and Fridays throughout the summer. Virtual interviews beginning on June 3 through September 2 at this time.

• University of Richmond: Offers virtual "spider chats" with current students and alumni, and opportunities will be made available later this summer.

• University of Rochester: Virtual interviews are available now through July 26.

• University of San Diego: Students can schedule a virtual interview with their admissions counselor at any time.

• Ursinus College: Limited opportunities on Wednesday throughout the summer.

• Virginia Military Institute: Students can request a virtual interview at any time.

• Washington & Lee: On-campus and virtual interviews are available now until August 8, but more dates will be added through November 30. Students can also participate in alumni interviews between October 1 and January 15, which are only available for students in the United States. 

• Washington University in St. Louis: On-campus and virtual opportunities are now available.

• Wheaton College (MA): Virtual interviews now through August 30

• William & Mary: On-campus and virtual interviews run through August 15.

• Yeshiva University: Virtual interviews are available now, and students can register for one up to 60 days in advance. 

  
  

Final Thoughts for Class of 2026 Students

Class of 2026, have questions about the admissions process or want to get a head start on your college planning? Reach out to Allison or visit Grand Fit Educational Consulting to learn how personalized guidance can help you navigate every step with clarity and confidence.