If you have booked your One Degree introduction video call, well done. You are another step closer to becoming a One Degree student.

The call is your chance to find out more about One Degree, ask questions and help us get to know you.

It is not something you need to be nervous about. We are not expecting perfect answers or trying to catch you out. We simply want to understand more about you, what you hope to achieve and whether One Degree is right for you.

Here are some simple tips to help you prepare.

What is the One Degree interview for?

Your introduction call gives us an opportunity to:

• introduce you to One Degree and explain how the programme works
• learn more about you, your goals and what you would like help with
• explain how your online mentoring sessions will work
• show you how to find and book mentors
• answer any questions you have
• make sure you understand what will be expected of you as a One Degree student
• consider whether One Degree is the right programme for you

Your interview forms part of the application process. Once you have completed your application, survey and interview, One Degree will review everything and let you know whether you have been accepted.

Before your interview

A little preparation can make the call much easier.

Make sure you know when your call is

After booking your date and time you will be emailed confirmation details with your interview video call link. Check junk/spam mail if you cannot find it immediately.

Double-check the date and time of your interview in advance.

Try to be ready a few minutes before your appointment so you are not rushing when the call begins.

Find somewhere quiet

Choose a quiet place where you can concentrate and talk without being interrupted.

Try to avoid having the television on, talking to friends or family during the call, or doing other things at the same time.

We want to have a proper conversation with you.

Use a laptop or desktop computer

Please do not join your introduction call using your phone.

Use the laptop, desktop computer or similar device that you expect to use for your One Degree mentoring sessions.

This gives us an opportunity to check that everything is working properly before you start mentoring.

Test your camera and microphone

Please be ready to have your camera and microphone switched on during your call.

It is a good idea to test them before your interview rather than discovering a problem when the meeting begins.

You can test your camera and microphone here:

Test your camera and microphone (this is not the link you will use for your interview)

Enter your name and continue to the next screen.

If you can see yourself on screen and the microphone indicator shows that your voice is being detected, you should be ready for your interview.

You do not need to enter the meeting room or knock to enter. This link can simply be used to check that your camera and microphone are working.

Think about what you might be asked

There is no need to learn answers or prepare a speech.

We would much rather hear your own thoughts.

It may help, however, to think about a few things before your interview, such as:

• Why would you like to join One Degree?
• What would you most like help with?
• Are there particular GCSE subjects you find difficult?
• What would you like to improve?
• What are you hoping to achieve at school?
• Do you have any ideas about what you might like to do after your GCSEs?
• What would make mentoring useful for you?
• Are you willing to attend sessions, ask for help and put effort into the programme?

We are not looking for students who already have perfect grades.

We are interested in students who want to improve, are willing to try and will make good use of the opportunities available through One Degree.

Be yourself

You do not need to try to give us the answer you think we want to hear.

Tell us honestly about the things you are good at and the things you find difficult.

If you are struggling with a subject, tell us.

If you are not sure what you want to do in the future, that is fine too.

One of the reasons mentoring can be useful is that you can talk through those questions with people who want to help you.

Ask questions

The interview is not just about us asking questions.

It is also your opportunity to ask us anything you would like to know about One Degree.

You might want to ask about:

• how mentoring sessions work
• what subjects mentors can help with
• how often you can book sessions
• how you choose a mentor
• what happens if you cannot find a mentor for a particular subject
• what else is available through One Degree
• what will be expected of you if you are accepted

There is no such thing as a silly question. If there is something you do not understand, ask us.

Can a parent or guardian join?

Yes.

You are welcome to bring a parent or guardian to your introduction call if this would make you feel more comfortable.

They can also listen to how One Degree works and ask questions of their own.

What should you avoid?

There are a few simple things that can make your interview more difficult.

Try not to:

• arrive late
• join from your phone
• take the call somewhere noisy
• become distracted by friends, family, games or social media
• leave your camera or microphone switched off
• wait until the interview begins before checking whether your equipment works

Problems can happen, of course. If something genuinely goes wrong with your technology, do not panic. The important thing is that you have made an effort to prepare.

What if your camera or microphone does not work?

First, check whether your browser has permission to use your camera and microphone.

Your computer may be blocking access without you realising it.

If that does not solve the problem:

1. Close any other video calling software that might be using your camera or microphone.
2. Restart your computer.
3. Try opening the meeting link in a different browser.
4. Make sure your browser is up to date.
5. Check your computer’s privacy and camera settings.

You can find further help with camera and microphone problems here.

On the day of your interview

Before the call, give yourself a few minutes to get ready.

Have your laptop charged or connected to power, check your internet connection and test your camera and microphone.

Then find somewhere comfortable, join on time and be ready to talk.

You do not need to impress us with complicated answers.

We simply want to meet you, understand what you hope to get from One Degree and see whether you are ready to make use of the programme.

What happens after your interview?

Once you have completed the application, survey and interview process, One Degree will review your application.

We will then let you know whether you have been accepted onto the programme.

If you are accepted and all the required steps have been completed, your One Degree mentoring account can be fully activated.

You can then start making use of your One Degree account, including booking your first one-to-one mentoring session.

One final tip

The students who benefit most from One Degree are not necessarily the students who already know all the answers.

They are the students who are willing to turn up, ask questions, try different approaches and make use of the support available to them.

So come to your interview prepared, be yourself and tell us what you would like to achieve.

Good luck. We look forward to meeting you.