You might not believe it, but college admissions interviewers really want you to succeed. To mangle one of my favorite lines from the movie "Jerry Maguire," help them help you.

A great interview won't ever overcome a weak transcript. But, for students whose grades and SAT/ACT test scores are in the middle of a college's range — and who are genuinely excited at the prospect of attending the school — the interview can be a tipping factor.

The interview is an opportunity to demonstrate your interest and leave with the admissions office wanting to be your advocate.

Interviews generally measure four things:

• Your personality: How engaging and likable are you?

• Your intellectual curiosity: Will you be an academic fit at the college and contribute to the college community?

• Your character: Will your special talents and interests make a difference?

• Your interest in the school: Are you really interested in attending the school? Make sure the interviewer walks away knowing that you did your homework before the interview.

Interviews don't need to be scary; being prepared is the best possible ammunition. Here are some do's.• Come prepared. That means researching the college Web site to know about its majors, its unusual programs and highlights of clubs and activities.• Practice your responses to the most obvious questions. You can pretty much count on being asked "Why are you interested in our college?" You don't want it to sound rehearsed, but an admissions representative should be able to determine how much you've thought about why the college is a good fit for you from your answer.• Dress appropriately. For guys, that means simple khaki pants and a collared shirt; girls should wear nice pants or a knee-length skirt or dress.• Come armed with a folder with test scores, transcript and resume in case they are requested.• Be respectful and be on time. Allow sufficient time to find the building, park the car and be waiting in the lobby without being breathless.• Turn off cell phones.• Anticipate a conversation. Answer questions knowing what points you want to make in advance (specific extracurricular activities you want to highlight, unique experiences, etc.). Vary the length of your responses, i.e., don't ramble on for five minutes when asked about what you did in high school. Experts recommend responses should range from 30 to 90 seconds.• Look around the interviewer's office to see if you can gather any clues as to their personal interests. If you spot a link, use it as an opening to ask them a question.• Ask thoughtful questions. Insightful questions such as "What do students like best and like least about this school?" demonstrates critical thinking on your part.

There are no right answers during interviews, but there are wrong answers. Here are some common questions and bad responses:<B>QUESTION: Why are you interested in attending this college?</B>ANSWER: "It's far away from home." "It's old."The worst: "I don't really know. My mom wants me to apply."<B>question:</B> <B>Tell me about yourself. What do you do in your spare time?</B>ANSWER: "I've been thinking about getting involved in extracurricular activities, I just haven't done it yet." "I hang out with friends." "I just do homework every day."The worst: "I play a lot of video games."<B>QUESTION: What doesn't our school know about you after reading your application?</B> ANSWER: "Nothing, I covered everything."This is a softball question that you should be prepared to answer with substantive material.The worst: "I am not really sure I want to come here."

Make and continue eye contact. Greet your interviewer with a warm handshake.Request their business card. If you have a resume or brag sheet, offer to leave them a copy.Send a thank-you note within a week of your visit. A handwritten, snail-mail note was the old standard and is still appreciated, but an e-mail is just fine.<b><i>Lee Bierer is an independent college adviser based in Charlotte, N.C. For more information, visit www.collegeadmissionsstrategies.com.</i></b>