DSA-JC and EAE-Polytechnic: Preparing for the Interview

The interview is where you get to stand out amongst your peers.

As the DSA-EAE exercise kicks into full gear, some may start to worry about the interview portion of the exercise. If your application is looked favourably upon, you should be given the chance to go for an interview for the school to further assess your suitability for the course/area of talent. In some cases for sports and performing arts, the school may also require you to attend a trial session to evaluate your skills. While the interview may sound daunting, leaving a positive and lasting impression on the interviewers goes a long way. Read on to find out some tips to help you ace the interviews with confidence!

1. Be yourself and be honest

Giving ‘standard’ answers may seem like the safest way to go, but it does not sufficiently portray your passions and your motivations for applying for DSA or EAE. Interviewers are looking to understand you better as a person and evaluate your suitability for the programme based on your passions and purpose. Instead of sticking to a template answer, opt for answers that reflect your story and you as a person.

Being honest is also extremely important. If the interviewers ask about your other DSA/EAE choices, do not hesitate; you may also lay out the reasons why you applied for other schools if you wish. However, be mindful of the way you phrase your reasons as well – applying to other schools because it gives you more time to “slack off and relax” is not a good look. Instead, talk about how the other schools’ culture/ethos may align with you, or how the schools’ programmes can contribute to your area of talent and maximise your potential.

2. Be prepared

Being yourself does not mean simply winging the interview and answering the questions as they come to you. Some level of preparation is still required in order to fully anticipate the kinds of questions you may be faced with during the interview. Some commonly asked questions include the following:

• Tell us more about yourself.

• What is one strength/weakness that you see in yourself, and how do you plan to capitalise on it/improve on it?

• Why did you choose to apply for this programme/course?

• What are your career aspirations?

• What do you seek to achieve from this programme/course?

• How do you think this programme will contribute to your aspirations/goals?

• How do you think you can contribute positively to the school in your area of talent?

• Share with us a time where you had to demonstrate specific skill sets

There is no fixed set of questions that the interviewers may ask, and there is no way to be fully prepared for the interview. Think of a general structure to answer such common questions while also adding your own personal flair – again, always be yourself in the interview and give answers that reflect who you are as a person.

Especially for EAE applicants, remember to read about the course you wish to enroll in as they are likely to ask course-specific questions as well as your reasons for applying to their school/the specific course.

3. Focus less on the ‘What’, and focus more on the ‘So What’

Avoid giving generic answers or brushing past your achievements – the purpose of the interview is for them to know you better. The interviewers have seen your portfolio and know what you have achieved, and want to know more about your experiences and the significance of these experiences on your growth. The important factor that differentiates you from other candidates is through the way you showcase your personal development and unique insights from your experiences, and how these values/lessons will allow you to contribute to the school. Instead of listing out your achievements like a laundry list, talk about the experience and the lessons you learnt while working towards said achievement, and how it influences your approach towards other goals/milestones you seek to achieve.

4. Be confident

While easier said than done, the key is to fake it till you make it. That is not to say you should enter the interview with blind confidence – rather, enter the interview with the knowledge that your story is unique to you only, and no one knows your story better than you. Being open to sharing your story and experiences reflects well, and certainly leaves a positive impression on the interviewers. If the question is truly difficult or stumps you, there is no shame in being honest and telling the interviewer that it may be an area you have yet to explore on a deeper level.

No interview can be fully prepared for, but entering the interview with a positive attitude and confidence in your achievements/skills can go a long way. Stay confident and be yourself, and who knows that might be what wins the interviewers over. We hope that this list of tips can help you better prepare for what may come during your interview. All the best for your applications and interview preparations!