<p>Hey, I've just got informed a few days ago that I've been selected as a finalist for the scholarship and I don't know much about the finalists' weekend. In what exactly does Finalist Weekend consist and also, how is the interview for the scholarship? Is it just one, and does being a finalist mean that I've already been admitted to WashU? I'm very excited about this, any info is welcome!</p>
<p>Congrats! I’m a Lien invitee this year (maybe I’ll see you there), so I know the answers to some of your questions, assuming that the two weekends are more or less the same. Being invited for a scholarship definitely means that you’ve been accepted to WashU. </p>
<p>About the weekend: (info from online and from someone I talked with who was a past invitee)</p>
<p>For the arts&sci scholarships I think there are two interviews. Other than interviews there are a few formal dinners you attend and probably some other activities as well (I don’t remember the specifics). I also know that during your time you live with a student (at least for Arts&Sci it’s that way).</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>Wow, congrats on being a Lien invitee! </p>
<p>The weekend sounds nice. Thanks for the information!</p>
<p>I’m a current Ervin scholar (our programs are very similar, and there are a few students who are enrolled in both). That said, I’m not sure if the interview process was the same. Finalist weekend mainly consisted of events in which we mingled with the current scholars and other finalists like dinners, info sessions, an entertainment event (they took us off campus for bowling+karaoke), and the interview.</p>
<p>My interview consisted of two interviewers (and it wasn’t intimidating, we sat in 3 chairs in a triangle/circle. One was a professor here and one was an alum) asking me questions about myself. It seemed like they had a list of suggested questions but often would spin off whatever responses I gave. I remember talking about one of the places I volunteered, how I hated my calc class, and how much I love being around people. </p>
<p>I have a theory that if you’re selected to be a finalist you’re practically guaranteed admission (but I have no proof).</p>
<p>If you get any scholarship (regardless whether you are a finalist), you are automatically accepted. Otherwise, there would be no point giving you the scholarship :P</p>
<p>Oh, that comment about the interview was a relief. I was afraid that in the interview I would be grilled.</p>
<p>Yeah, that does make sense Can2010. </p>
<p>Thanks for the information!</p>
<p>Does anybody have tips for the Annika Rodriguez interview? I’m having the interview next week. </p>
<p>Any advice on the interview is welcome!</p>
<p>bump!</p>
<p>10char</p>
<p>Hey, so I am actually a sophomore Rodriguez Scholar at Wash U. The interview is not as fresh in my mind as it used to be, but here are definitely some helpful tips for the interview. First of all, depending what school you are in (arts and sciences, engineering, business, art, or architecture), you will have a varying number of interviewers from 3-5. 1 of them is a faculty member, and the rest are fellow scholars. (I am actually one of the interviewers for the engineering school this year 
) Second, the interview is supposed to be very conversational, meaning we want to get to know you and how you want to contribute to the program and Wash U. The weekend itself is also a way for us to see how the finalists interact and get along with the other finalists and current scholars. They try to get no more than 50 finalists to come to the weekend, and last year, about half were invited to the program. Like I said, we want to see the real you and not some person who just wants the scholarship money, because it will be stressed several times that the Rodriguez scholars are a close group and are considered a “family.” We get to know each other very well and some of our closest friends can come out of this program. So back to the interview - truthfully just relax and be yourself. You sit at a round table so you don’t feel too intimidated, and we actually have games sitting out in the main area outside of the interview rooms for people to play to help them relax and interact with the other scholars. I hope this helps, and feel free to e-mail me with any other questions you may have about the weekend, interview, or the program itself. I will see you on Thursday! :)</p>
<p>Thank you gal<em>lexi</em>gurl! See you on Thursday! :)</p>