Preparing a self-introduction for a university admission interview

I've got a couple of university admission interviews lined up and I'm struggling with the 'self-introduction' part. How much personal info should I include? What are some key points that make a memorable self-introduction?

A self-introduction in an admissions interview is a chance to showcase your personality, interests, and achievements so far. You should aim to include a balance of personal information, academic interests, and extracurricular involvement while keeping the focus on what makes you unique and a good fit for the college.

Here are some steps to creating a memorable self-introduction:

1. Background information: You could start with some basic information. Keep this brief, as it just sets the stage for your deeper interests. However, you could already hint at your most important attributes, such as "As a science enthusiast growing up in a rural town…".

2. Academics: Talk about what subjects ignited passion in you and why. If you're applying to a specific major, this is the place to highlight why you chose it. For instance, you might mention how a biology class led to a fascination with genetics, motivating you to pursue a degree in biomedical sciences.

3. Extracurricular activities: Describe a couple of non-academic activities that you deeply pursued. These will help to paint a more holistic picture of you. For example, if you were a part of a debate club, mention how it enhanced your critical thinking skills. Include roles in clubs, sports, or volunteer work, especially where you've shown leadership or initiative.

4. Personal attributes: Disclose a few of your key strengths or values that underscore who you are. You might say, "I'm particularly driven by curiosity, always eager to learn new things," linking it back to your academic and extracurricular experiences.

5. Future aspirations: Conclude by tying everything back to why you're applying to the university. You might say, "I believe the hands-on research opportunities in your biomedical sciences program will enable me to deepen my understanding of genetics and put me on the path to realizing my dream of becoming a gene therapist."

Remember to keep your self-introduction concise. For each point, share a brief example to illustrate your qualities, as concrete examples are more memorable than broad statements. Be authentic, as the uniqueness of your own experiences and aspirations is what will make you stand out.