Prompt
Imagine I am your close friend. I have just told you that I am failing two courses and plan to drop out of university at the end of the term without telling my parents, who are paying my tuition. Pretend I am that friend. What would you say to me?
Practice this question
After you practice: what this question tests and how to approach it
What this question tests
- Communication
- Empathy and compassion
How to approach this question
This role-play tests whether you can support a struggling friend without endorsing a plan built on secrecy. Begin by listening, so you understand why the courses are going badly and how your friend is feeling about it. Express care, and avoid lecturing or offering quick fixes. Gently raise the problem with hiding this from parents who are paying the tuition, and help your friend think through what happens when the secret comes out later. Explore options like speaking with an academic advisor, reducing the course load, or telling the parents together. Stay warm and honest throughout, and remain in character until the interviewer ends the scene.
More on personal qualities
All 15 questions on this topicMock interviews
If you want to practice with a person, we run mock MMI and panel interviews with feedback on every answer.
