2025 Volume 21 Issue 1 Pages 17-35
This study investigates the influence of nonverbal information and psychological factors on interview ratings in holistic admission process of Japanese universities. Mock interviews were conducted with 22 first-year students from a private university’s business administration department. An integrated analysis of interview ratings, nonverbal cues (personality traits, facial expressions, school life skills), and final grades revealed three key findings. First, school life skills had no relationship with interview ratings, while certain facial expressions had a direct relationship, and some personality traits related to ratings indirectly. Second, final grades were not linked to interview ratings but were directly related to school life skills. Third, although there was no direct relationship between interview ratings and final grades, an indirect link was found through shared personality traits. These findings contribute to the understanding of how nonverbal information and psychological factors influence interview evaluations in university admissions.
