<p>[completely off-topic: I just misspelled "Interviews" 3 whole times while typing that title. First as 'Interviwes,' then as 'Intervweis,' and then as 'Intervies.']</p>
<p>Back on topic. Out of curiosity, have any 2014 hopefuls scheduled their interviews yet? Hopefully we can use this thread later on to share interview experiences, but I'm guessing very few people will have already had theirs.</p>
<p>I haven't scheduled mine; I'm kind of nervous about it. I'm thinking that I'll take the next week or two to think over what kinds of things I could talk about in conversation and what questions I should be prepared for, and then send the email to schedule when I feel prepared. I'd rather not schedule it first and scramble to prepare in time.</p>
<p>and for those people who will remind me to stay sane and not stress out: I'm not uber-worried. I'm just anxious to make sure I know all the answers to expected questions, and to make sure that I'm mentally ready to be myself in this interview-conversation. :)</p>
<p>That thread might be useful background reading for this year’s applicants.</p>
<p>Also, your friendly local mod is happy to edit misspellings in thread titles, and is compulsive enough to do so on her own if she happens to notice. :)</p>
<p>EDIT: Incidentally, given that I have post #2 of this thread, I would like to remind everyone to contact his/her EC well in advance of the deadline to request an interview, and to notify the Admissions Office if you experience difficulties contacting your assigned EC.</p>
<p>I spent a whole hour reading the Master Interview Thread a few weeks ago. Is it a sign that I’m crazy that I would spend so much time reading a thread devoted to college interviews? And you’re right, it was definitely helpful background reading. I was kind of hoping that this thread would turn into something similar as far as sharing stories goes for 2014 applicants.</p>
<p>ooh. I might try an experiment where I “accidentally” misspell thread titles, just to see. then again, by the time I next make a thread, I’m probably going to forget. :P</p>
<p>by the way, mollie, you’re amazingly helpful, and I know everyone here agrees. thanks so much for being willing to answer all our questions and email Matt when you’re not sure and take the time to check this board and everything! :)</p>
<p>I actually haven’t scheduled mine either! I’m a little nervous that I will blank out and completely forget good points to talk about. I actually hoping to get another college interview before MIT’s so that MIT’s interview isn’t my first. Hopefully that will make me less nervous! :)</p>
<p>Hey, if you don’t mind me asking, is there a list of things that an EC is required to find out from each prefrosh? Or is it only a “have an engaging conversation = recommended” type of thing?</p>
<p>@Mikalye - I’m not an international, but I was curious as to how far applicants have traveled to interview with you. What’s the farthest they’ve traveled, if you’re allowed to share?</p>
<p>I read through this thread and I complied a list of important points for anyone who wants a quick summary:</p>
<ul>
<li>Every person with a successful interview said to be yourself. This is crucial.</li>
<li> Don’t stress too much or be someone you’re not. The EC just wants to know what kind of a person you are and whether you’ll be a “match” for MIT. The link Mikalye posted is very good.</li>
<li>They don’t have a set list of questions. All questions are meant to probe you and discover your character/personality.</li>
<li>The interviewer does his/her best job to make you comfortable. Try to relax.</li>
<li>To be safe, dress up in nice clothing instead of dressing down in jeans and a t-shirt. </li>
<li>A long interview isn’t necessarily good. A short one isn’t necessarily bad.</li>
<li>Ask your EC questions. Show that you care about MIT and ask them of their experiences. </li>
<li>This is not a Q&A session. It’s a two-way conversation. Try to have fun and demonstrate who you really are.</li>
<li>Don’t talk about academics/grades. That’s covered in the application thoroughly. Talk about your ECs/hobbies. Show that you’re devoted to what you like to do. </li>
<li>BE YOURSELF</li>
</ul>
<p>I have a question though. If I’m applying EA, when is the earliest a person should ask for an interview? I understand that the earlier the better, but is a couple of days after the application is online too early?</p>
<p>Good luck everyone. Hope we all have great interviews.</p>
I would amend this to say to dress in clothes that make you feel confident and professional. For some people, that’s a suit, for others, it’s khakis and a sweater, and for others, it’s a t-shirt and jeans. </p>
<p>
The last day to contact your EC for an EA interview is October 20.</p>
<p>
Now would be fine, but any time in advance of October 20 is fine, too.
Wearing clothes that feel too dressy or too casual for you will not help you put your best foot forward.</p>
<p>You want to appear that you care, but a lot of people err in trying to look professional. If you are not used to wearing a suit, and you wear one to an interview, then you get that “the defendant” look, which does not help your chances.</p>
<p>Like all other parts of the interview, this can be discussed with your interviewer (usually by e-mail) prior to the interview. Questions like “I am coming straight from work, is it OK if I wear my BigBurger uniform?” are quite reasonable, and insures that the EC is not put off if you suddenly appear in your uniform.</p>
<p>It seems that every few years I get a candidate who tries to dress up, and who somehow manages to get out their finest nightclubbing clothes. This is almost always a mistake, particularly if they feature plunging necklines, microskirts, or the male equivalent. The goal is to try to appear professional and “studenty”, and while there are certain times to wear this stuff on campus, the interview is not one of them. I attended a fraternity Toga party while at MIT. A wrapped bedsheet is also a poor sartorial choice.</p>
<p>A lot depends on the context. If you are interviewing at your EC’s Wall Street office, then maybe a suit is more called for, you will look like you fit in, similarly, I would see as also valid a question like “Given that we are conducting the interview on the beach, is swimwear appropriate?” </p>
<p>Personally, I conduct nearly all of my interviews in coffee bars, which allow a wide range of sartorial choices.</p>
<p>No, I disagree with this. Anytime in advance of October 20 is acceptable, and we will work with you, but I would request the interview as soon as you are ready. Ready means different things to different people, but I would suggest that you have looked at MIT and at the application, and you know enough about MIT to ask intelligent questions about the place. When I get questions like “Where in the US is MIT?”, I know that the student hasn’t even done the basics of web lookup. </p>
<p>There are always a bunch of people who wait until the deadline. And then the EC might have quite a few folks to interview in the 10 days following 20 October. Given that most EC’s are busy and successful professionals, scheduling isn’t always easy. You will do yourself and your EC a favour if you are able to go before then.</p>
<p>One more quick thought. Depending on the part of the world in which you live, you may need to have completed part 1 of the application before you are allowed to schedule your interview.</p>
<p>If the information of the my EC shows up on the myMIT account, does that mean I am allowed to schedule one? I haven’t seen anything from poking around the website that suggests I am not allowed to (I live in the US). I have not submitted part 1 of the application, but I have already sent my EC an e-mail.</p>
<p>I sent my EC an email last thursday, how long should I wait for a reply? After that amount of time, should I call or should I send a follow up email?</p>
<p>ya i left my EC a voicemail last Thursday also and I have no response yet (only contact info given was home phone number) so I was wondering what people thought… try again? My mom keeps trying to tell me maybe he’s on vacation or something lol</p>
I was kind of hoping that this thread would turn into something similar as far as sharing stories goes for 2014 applicants.</p>