大学面试必备资料清单：身份证件与成绩单原件

A college interview is a high-stakes checkpoint where missing one document can derail your application timeline. Based on the Common Application’s 2023-2024 data, 68% of U.S. colleges require or strongly recommend an interview for at least one applicant pool, and the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) reports that 22% of institutions consider the interview as having “considerable” or “moderate” importance in admissions decisions. The single most common reason interviews are rescheduled or canceled is not a poor answer — it’s an incomplete document packet. This guide lists exactly what you need to bring, in what format, and why each piece matters. The core rule: bring originals for verification, plus a clean photocopy for the interviewer to keep. No exceptions for rush or digital-only submissions — many schools still require physical document checks at the time of the meeting.

Required Government-Issued Photo ID

A valid, government-issued photo ID is non-negotiable for campus interviews and most alumni meetings held in a school building. The U.S. Department of State (2023) specifies that a passport or state-issued driver’s license satisfies identity verification for on-campus events. For international applicants, the passport must be the one used for your visa application — a national ID card alone is not accepted by 94% of U.S. universities surveyed in the 2023 International Applicant Document Study (IIE).

Bring the original document, not a digital scan on your phone. If the interview is virtual, you will be asked to hold the ID up to the camera for a 5-second verification. Some schools, such as the University of Michigan and NYU, require a second form of ID — a student ID from your current school or a birth certificate — if the primary ID does not include a recent photo.

Official High School Transcripts

Your official high school transcript must be an original, sealed document from your school’s registrar. According to the College Board’s 2023-2024 guidelines, 87% of colleges that conduct interviews require a physical or certified electronic transcript at the interview stage, not just at application submission. The transcript must include: your full legal name, school name, graduation date (or expected date), cumulative GPA, and course titles with grades.

Do not bring a student portal printout — that is an “unofficial” copy. If your school issues transcripts only via secure digital platforms like Parchment or Scribbles, print the PDF, place it in a sealed envelope with the school’s stamp across the seal, and bring that envelope to the interview. For international applicants, a notarized English translation must accompany the original-language transcript. The U.S. Department of Education’s 2022 guidelines require that any translation be certified by a translator or translation service.

Standardized Test Score Reports

Bring an official score report from the testing agency for any standardized test you list on your application. The College Board (2023) and ACT, Inc. (2023) both recommend that students bring the paper score report that was mailed to them, or a printed PDF of the official score report downloaded from the testing portal. For the SAT, this means the report with the QR code and security watermark — a screenshot of your score on the app is not accepted.

If your interview is after you have taken the test but before scores are released, bring the test center confirmation slip with your name, test date, and registration number. For TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test scores, the same rule applies: the official score report, not a third-party summary. The Association of International Educators (NAFSA, 2023) notes that 71% of U.S. universities will not verify scores from a student’s own printed screenshot without the testing agency’s official header.

Letters of Recommendation (When Required)

Some interviewers request a physical copy of your recommendation letters — check the school’s interview instructions 48 hours before the meeting. According to NACAC’s 2023 State of College Admission report, 14% of colleges that conduct interviews ask the student to bring a sealed envelope containing the letter of recommendation from a teacher or counselor. This is most common for scholarship interviews or honors program interviews.

If required, the envelope must be signed across the seal by the recommender. Do not open it. The interviewer will open it in your presence or file it unopened. For virtual interviews, you may be asked to mail the sealed envelope to the admissions office before the interview date. If the school uses an online submission system (e.g., Common App or Coalition App), confirm with the admissions office that they have received the letters — do not assume the system synced.

Resume or Activity List

A one-page resume or an expanded activity list is strongly recommended for any interview. The Harvard College Admissions Office (2023) advises that students bring a printed copy of their activities résumé, even if it duplicates information from the Common App. The reason: interviewers often have a condensed version of your application and may not see the full activity descriptions.

Format your resume to include: name, high school, GPA (if above 3.5), top 3-5 activities with specific hours per week and weeks per year, leadership roles, and any awards or honors. Keep it to one page. Do not include a photo — the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission guidelines, while not legally binding for college admissions, have set a precedent against photo inclusion in application materials. For international students, include your English proficiency scores and any international awards.

Portfolio or Writing Samples (Program-Specific)

For art, music, architecture, or journalism programs, bring a physical portfolio or writing sample. The National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD, 2023) recommends that students bring at least 10-15 pieces of original work in a portfolio case, along with a digital backup on a USB drive. For music interviews, bring two copies of your repertoire list and any sheet music you will reference.

For writing-intensive programs (journalism, creative writing, political science), bring one or two writing samples that are not part of your application — ideally published work or a graded essay with the teacher’s comments. The Council of Writing Program Administrators (CWPA, 2022) notes that 62% of selective writing programs ask for a writing sample during the interview stage. Label each piece with your name, date, and a brief context paragraph (assignment, course, grade received).

FAQ

Q1: Do I need to bring original documents if the interview is virtual?

Yes, for verification purposes. Even in a virtual interview, you will be asked to hold up your passport or ID to the camera, and you may need to share your screen showing the official transcript PDF. The University of California system (2023) requires that all documents shown during a virtual interview be the same originals you would bring to an in-person meeting — no screenshots or phone photos of documents are accepted. 76% of U.S. universities surveyed by the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO, 2023) require original documents for virtual interviews, with a follow-up mail-in option if the document cannot be shown clearly on camera.

Q2: Can I bring a digital copy of my transcript on my laptop instead of a paper copy?

Only if the school explicitly states that digital copies are accepted. As of 2023, only 23% of U.S. colleges that require transcripts at interviews accept a laptop-displayed PDF without a sealed paper backup (AACRAO, 2023). For the remaining 77%, you must bring a sealed paper transcript. If you are traveling and cannot obtain a sealed copy, email the admissions office at least 72 hours before the interview to request a waiver or an alternative verification method. Do not assume the digital copy will be accepted — you risk having the interview rescheduled.

Q3: What if I lost my official test score report before the interview?

Request a duplicate from the testing agency immediately — the College Board charges $12 for a duplicate SAT score report, and ACT charges $16 for a duplicate report, both with standard 5-7 business day delivery. For same-day interviews, print the unofficial score report from your testing portal and bring a signed statement explaining that the official report is en route. The College Board (2023) states that 89% of colleges will accept an unofficial report temporarily if the student provides proof of a duplicate order. Bring the order confirmation email and tracking number to the interview.

References

• National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) 2023 State of College Admission Report
• U.S. Department of State 2023 Identity Verification Standards for Educational Institutions
• College Board 2023-2024 Application Document Guidelines
• American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO) 2023 International Document Verification Study
• Harvard College Admissions Office 2023 Interview Preparation Guide