Participant Interview Eval Form

Questions to ask/topics to cover during interview:

Goals of interview questions: 

  • Determine if the trip is a good fit for the student/the student a good fit for the trip.

  • Get a feel for the student’s motivation in going: do they just want a chance to travel or are they genuinely interested in serving on a team?

  • Understand the student’s character/personality and how they will interact with the rest of the group.

  • Provide an opportunity for the student to ask any clarifying questions to ensure they understand what this is about 

  • Prior to interview: review the student’s application 

Review with every applicant:  

  • Overview of what the program will entail: expectations, accommodations, group living, serving not tourism purpose, technology fast, Table Talk & Compass Time, etc. Ask them to tell you back what they understand about the program/what they think it is about and what it will be like (this is to help prevent people showing up to the program and saying “this isn’t what I expected”)  

  • (If applicable) Do you have any concerns about the ability to fundraise for this program? Are you aware of the need for the deposit if accepted? (Clarify deposit and fundraising due dates).   

  • Next steps after this interview.

  • Is your passport current for at least 6 months following travel dates? Is it a US passport? (If no to either, share this webpage with them that provides steps to apply and review the content.) Let them know they need to apply for it immediately, passports can take a few months and visas take even longer.

  • Do you have any questions about anything we discussed or about what to expect for the trip?  

Sample questions (do as many as are appropriate given the time constraints and flow of interview):  

  • Do you feel that you have a pretty good idea of what we will be doing on the trip or would it be helpful if I give you an overview?  

  • I know you put this in your application, but I’d like to hear it from you face to face- can you share why you are interested in this trip?  

  • What would you do with a spontaneous 3 hours of free time? 

  • Can you identify in yourself one single personality trait that is both a powerful strength of yours and simultaneously an area of weakness/growth for you?  

  • What’s been the highlight of your college experience so far?  

  • Think about the last time you disagreed with someone on a topic or idealistic issue. How did it go? What happened?  

  • Where do you think you will be in five years? 

  • Why should we serve?  What does that mean for you?  

  • Snap affiliations: What do you think of when you hear the word conflict? Healing? Silence? Teamwork? Diverse? Inclusive? Emotion? Smart? Race? Sexuality? Gender? Equality? Bible? God?  

  • How would you hope to be personally impacted by your Compass experience? 

  • When you are a part of a team, what role do you usually find yourself in?