Whether you're preparing for a college interview, scholarship interview, or MBA admissions interview, the STAR method is your best friend.

S - Situation: Set the scene. Where were you? What was happening?

T - Task: What was your role or responsibility?

A - Action: What specific steps did you take?

R - Result: What was the outcome? What did you learn?

Example:

"Tell me about a time you showed leadership."

S: "During my junior year, our school's environmental club was struggling with low membership and no clear direction."

T: "As the newly elected president, I needed to revitalize the club and create meaningful impact."

A: "I surveyed students about environmental issues they cared about, partnered with a local conservation group, and organized a campus-wide sustainability week with workshops and a tree-planting event."

R: "Membership grew from 8 to 45 students, and our sustainability week became an annual tradition. I learned that effective leadership starts with listening."

Practice 5-7 STAR stories covering different qualities (leadership, teamwork, overcoming challenges, initiative, failure). You'll be able to adapt them to almost any interview question.