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With the deadline for Malaysian public university applications approaching, the interviews can feel very intimidating
You need to understand that an interview is a conversation, not a quiz. Most people go into interviews thinking there's a correct answer for everything, but that's not really how it works.
What the interviewers are actually looking for is the way you think, express yourself, and whether you're genuinely interested in the course offered by the university.
They want to see if you can form your own opinions, explain your ideas clearly, and handle a bit of pressure. These are all important for them to know you better, and to gauge whether you're suited for their courses.
That's why properly preparing for a university interview can make all the difference.
One of the most crucial steps of preparing for a university interview is researching the course and university beforehand
This is a step that many people ignore, but having a rough idea of what you'll study, how the course is structured, and what makes that university different from others is important to show that you're interested in pursuing your higher education with them.
If you want to stand out a bit more, it helps to connect the course you're interested in to something happening in the real world. For example, if you're applying for medicine, you might mention current healthcare challenges in Malaysia.
Of course, this doesn't mean you have to be researching everything about the course, university, or industry. Know just enough to show that you've put some thought into your choice.
It's also important to prepare for commonly asked questions, but don't memorise your answers
There are definitely some specific questions that are regularly brought up, such as:
- How do you handle stress?
- Why did you choose this course?
- What are your strengths and weaknesses?
The mistake most people make is memorising full answers for regular questions word for word, which usually ends up sounding unnatural.
A better approach is to organise your thoughts, understand the main point you want to make, think of a simple example to support it, and practise linking it back to your course. This way, you sound more conversational and less like you're reading through a script.
Next, you have to be ready to answer questions on the spot
Interviewers will always have the need to intentionally test you by asking you unpredictable questions, usually related to current issues relevant to the course you're taking, your own opinions, or even random topics just to see how you respond.
Taking a short pause to think is completely acceptable. From there, try to structure your answer by explaining your thought process. Even if your answer isn't perfect, being clear and calm makes a much stronger impression than rushing into it.
For behavioural questions, use the STAR method to structure your answer properly
You should be ready to talk about your experiences, whether it's school projects, leadership roles, or even challenges you've faced.
A good way to structure these kind of answers is by using the STAR method:
- Situation: Describe the challenge or context of the situation
- Task: Explain the specific task or goal you needed to address
- Action: Explain what you did to achieve that goal
- Result: Talk about the outcome of your actions, and what you learned from it
When they are done interviewing you, ask a few questions yourself
When you ask thoughtful questions, it shows that you're genuinely interested and not just wanting to settle for less.
You could ask about future internship or career opportunities, what students usually find challenging, or how the university supports student growth.
And last but not least, give them a good first impression
Looking neat and being early to an interview shows your interest and effort early on.
Even simple things like sitting up straight, maintaining eye contact, and avoiding too much fidgeting can make you appear more confident, even if you're nervous.
Speaking clearly and at a steady pace can also make your answers sound more convincing.
Overall, just be confident and answer everything the best you can, good luck!
