Few things are more intimidating than the college interview. The Fiske Guide to Getting Into the Right College gives the inside scoop on how to do it right:

What is distinctive about your school?

Try to get beyond the usual platitudes about academic excellence. Each school has a different idea of its mission, which tells you a lot about its character.

What sets students here apart from those at similar schools?

If this is Yale, ask about the differences from Harvard or Princeton. You'll probably be considering those competing schools (and the interviewer will know it). Try to zero in on where each one stands in relation to the others.

What percentage of entering students graduate within five years?

Anything above 85 percent is high; below 60 percent is low. (The rate tends to be somewhat lower at public institutions.) As a follow-up, ask about the main reasons why students leave without graduating.

What are the most common career paths for graduates?

Find out whether the aspirations of past graduates match yours. Is this school a feeder for Wall Street, or does everyone want to join the Peace Corps after graduation?

Would I have been accepted last year?

Whether or not you get into a selective college depends mainly on whom you're competing against. Since admissions officers can't predict the exact mix of applicants in any given year, asking about last year makes it easier for them to assess your chances.