Be prepared to answer some of the most obvious questions:
Why do you want to attend our university?
What are some of your interests?
Think of some good questions to ask the interviewer too. For example, if you're interested in a particular extracurricular activity, you could ask about whether that's offered at the school, how many students are usually involved, etc. Or, if you already have an idea about the major you're interested in, look up some of the course requirements, and ask about those classes. For example, if you want to major in physics, ask how large are the typical general physics lectures, how many students typically start out in that major, how many graduate in that major.
My experience from interviewing students is that I understand their nervousness, but if the entire interview has me asking them questions and them giving me two word answers then waiting for the next question, I'm not going to be overly impressed. If, instead, I ask a question and I see a spark of excitement when the student answers the question and that leads to them relaying some interesting story about the topic, often the interview becomes more of a conversation than question/answer. Those students usually fare better with me. Every interviewer is different, but I've found that even with different styles, it's rare that interviewers will rank students dramatically differently.
Some other little things to keep in mind...look at the interviewer when answering questions, not down at the floor. You don't have to stare down the interviewer, but make eye contact to show your sincerity. Sit up straight, no slouching or sinking back into the chair. If you have any nervous habits, be mindful of those...if you pick or bite at your fingernails, or wring your hands, or chew on pens or fiddle with anything you're holding, it won't look good during the interview. Speak clearly and enunciate all your words so the interviewer can hear and understand you. Dress neatly, and avoid excessive jewelry or make-up unless you're applying for an arts degree (we're getting more used to seeing our students with black fingernails and piercings on every surface of their body, but it can be distracting during an interview...most interviewers can see past all that, but some can't).
Just before you walk in, take a few deep breaths, remind yourself that your application must be pretty good to get as far as an interview, the interviewer just wants to learn more about you, not attack you, and put a smile on your face. Give a firm handshake when you greet the interviewer and when you leave, look them in the eye and tell them how glad you are to be invited for the interview, and when you leave, express that you enjoyed meeting them and thank them for the interview. If your palms get all sweaty during the interview, as it gets to the end, remember to open your hand and relax a bit, and a subtle swipe of your hand on your pants or skirt, in the guise of straightening your clothes as you stand up, will assure you don't give the interviewer a sweaty handshake...though, a sweaty handshake is better than none at all if you are doubtful about that. They will understand you are nervous.
Good luck!
:p haha.
I can just see you now, leaping around majestically during the interview, pausing only to chew some shrubbery. They're going to love ya, kid. What are you going to be studying?
