<p>i even misspelled "interview" in the title :(</p>
<p>well i have my interview with washu tomorrow and feel kinda stupid....
ive only had one other interview. it was with pomona, my #1 choice, and lets just say the persons last words were "good luck".....it was pathetic....my clothes, the fact that it was after an over night visit.....oh my god, he asked me how i went about looking for schools to apply to so i told him i looked for small LAC and stuff like that, after the interview i realized what he was really asking was why i was applying to their school. i was dressed less formal than my overnight visit host. i wanted to shoot myself after the interview, i believe it ruined any chance i had at that school....</p>
<p>I flat out recommend some kids not to interview. In my experience, it has not hurt, as long as other forms of demonstrated interest is shown to schools that are into this sort of thing. For the top schools, it does not seem to matter at all, but I have noticed that kids who I know are going come off badly in person, do much better if they avoid interviews. A close friend of mine had her son who has excellent stats, split his schools into interview/ and non interview. He did not get into a single school where he interviewed, and got into all but one school (Harvard) where he did not. And I would say the lists were equally weighed.</p>
<p>Kosuke,
You just have to relax a little bit. Now that you have had one interview, you kind of know what to expect in the way of the questions, the pacing, etc. Are you the kind of person who has to write in order to organize your thoughts (some people are like that), if so, take some time to write out answers to likely questions-- these don't have to be essay quality, just get your ideas together. Figure out if there is one important thing (or more) about you that you want to convey to the interviewer, and how you might do that. Also, be prepared to tell them what you like about that school. You have already done your application- be ready with something to say that is meaningful, and personal. </p>
<p>Good college interviewers know that part of their job is to relax nervous kids. You are part of a pair in an interview-- let them do their job too!</p>
<p>As for the clothes, honestly they don't matter that much. Dress in what is the "neatest version of you." Wear clothes and shoes you are comfortable in- they don't have to be khakis or from the gap, they do have to show that you are taking this process seriously. Iron them, even if it is a t-shirt, iron...</p>
<p>Take a few deep breaths and just imagine yourself having a pleasant winter time conversation with a person you meet in some random circumstance-- </p>
<p>Do not buy new stuff for an interview. Unless you wear something truly bizarre (and brown shoes with black pants are not bizarre), the interviewer won't care.</p>
<p>Nothing that you've said indicates to me that you had a terrible interview with Pomona. You said you were looking for LACs. Makes sense that you said that at a Pomona interview. It's not like you said something really dumb like, "I wanted a large state university" at your Pomona interview.</p>
<p>If you decide to do the Wash U interview, I suggest taking the time to look over the web site in advance and to think why you are interested in it. Think about what you have to offer, and what questions you have about it -- questions that aren't answered on the web site.</p>
<p>ok. thanks. but what if i only have oversized jeans and shorts? do i iron the jeans? so was "good luck" not as bad as i thought i was? thank you all so much.</p>
<p>also at the pomona interview, i was foolish enough to wear: sandels, cargo shorts, and a black polo shirt.</p>
<p>its just that the pomona guy kept on asking what i looked for in a college, so i kept on saying small LAC, and was getting annoyed, i wish he had been a little more straight forward....i could i talked for a while why i liked pomona a lot, specifically.... how can i show interest in other ways besides applying, spending a night there and interviewing?</p>
<p>Be yourself... just try to present the best aspects of you to the college. Like robyrm said, try and emphasize one or two facets that you think are important for them to know. The interviewers are human too, and interested in finding out about you.</p>
<p>I was nervous before my interview and depressed afterwards, because I thought I had done horribly. I fumbled for answers, didn't express myself clearly, and rambled. I rehearsed in my head and on paper, but nothing seemed to go like I planned. I forgot to get the list of questions I had out of my suitcase. From my point of view, it didn't go well at all. A month later, when I contacted my interviewer with thanks and the good news that I had been accepted, along with a few questions, she said that she had remembered me because I was kind and mature. Not at all how I thought I had come across. </p>
<p>My point is that sometimes, it's not really as bad as you think. Try to relax. The whole fate of your admissions does not come down to one interview, and it may go much better than you thought it did or think it will.</p>
<p>And "Good luck" may not have been meant sarcastically at all. I find it hard to believe a professional would be that snide. He may have been sincerely wishing you luck, because he liked you.</p>
<p>thanks tastaafl for those kind words. actually, my pomona interview was with a senior at the school. what should i expect to be different about an interview with an alumni? and he also gave his card...i feel bad for not contacting him later and thanking him but i had thought that the interview had been such a disaster that he wouldnt even remember me and that the thank you might have brought back bad memories of me...i feel bad for not sending him a thank you. :(</p>
<p>Since the interviewer was just a student, it's possible that the student was as nervous as you were, and the interview problems that you perceived were do to the student's nervousness and inexperience. I know it's hard for you to believe, but interviewers get nervous, too, particularly when they are inexperienced.</p>
<p>In addition, interviews with students don't usually count for much.</p>
<p>Then send the thank you note now. It doesn't matter if time has elapsed since the interview. Besides, it'll give you another opportunity to answer the question you don't think you answered at the interview.</p>
<p>My S wore neat cargo pants, his robotics team polo shirt, and his sneakers to all his interviews, if I remember right. (He doesn't own any jeans, and didn't want to wear his dress shoes. And since he and several friends started the robotics team a few years ago for FIRST, he felt it was a good choice in shirt.) I think if you and your clothing are clean and neat (take a shower, tidy your hair, and brush your teeth... and a Linkin Park t-shirt is likely not appropriate), and you carry yourself well (don't slouch or pass gas or pick your teeth or fall asleep), you'll be fine.</p>
<p>Remember that while the interviewer is trying to get an impression of you, you are also free to use the interview to learn more about the school, the kinds of people who go there or graduate from there, and whether you think it will be the best fit for you, sort of like a job interview. Naturally you'll be a bit nervous, but go there knowing about the school, having a couple questions about it that would help you decide if it really <em>IS</em> for you, and feeling sure you qualify to be there. As others have said, review the school website before you go and have tidbits fresh in your mind. And remember, it is the interviewer's job to help you feel at ease: they are not there to trip you up, they are there to add a personal touch to the file the adcoms will review, and if you have a good chat with them, they are likely to post a thumbs-up to help in your admissions decision.</p>
<p>Good luck tomorrow, be your confident self, and have some fun! (And let us know how it goes?)</p>
<p>I think it could help to come with a short resume, and perhaps some of the short questions. That could help you and interviewer get started. Also, practice with someone first.
My S wore cacki's, sneaks, and T-shirts that expressed his interests
Print Mootman's post, and reread it</p>
<p>"Good luck" is a common way for an interviewer to close an interview. I'll usually conclude a job interview with, "Good luck with your job search" - not because I think the applicant had better keep on looking, but because it is a courteous recognition that they are in the search process. I wouldn't think twice about the "good luck" unless the interviewer muttered, "you'll need it!", too. :)</p>
<p>Yes, like Northstarmom said, you can still send the thank-you. I'm of the opinion that a late thank-you is better than no thank you. Lucky for me, since mine are often sent late, too! :)</p>
<p>how i feel really bad....i thought i had kept his card in my wallet, it turned out i had kept an expired card for a free lunch at pomona while i was visiting....i think i threw away his card and accidentally kept the wrong one...turns out ive been carrying a folded map of pomona in my wallet for the past couple months as well....</p>
<p>nevermind, i found it. hmmm....it doesnt have his address or name....just his e-mail.....what to do?</p>
<p>so....if i own no khakis or cargos? also, all my jeans are prefaded, what to do? oh, and ill be wearing the gap shirt....most likely.....</p>
<p>thank you all so much. ive been reading up about washu and its no pomona but i like the school and im happy i applied, i just hope i can do a better job getting it across to the interviewer than i did last time. i always thought it was rude to ask questions so i refrained from doing it. and at the pomona one i really had no questions to ask, i had already asked people what they had thought about the school and stuff. like i had an hour plus conversation with a freshman there who i shared an interest in math with the night before the interview, and it pretty much convinced me to want to go to pomona more than anything else. i really regret not mentioning this to my interviewer. what should i put on my "thank you"? just how much i appreciate him taking the time to get to know me, and how much i love pomona?</p>
<p>p.s.- i dont think i mentioned this but my interview was on oct. 31, over 2 months ago. is that way too long ago for a thank you?</p>
<p>actually, i figured out his name from his e-mail address. what should i do? i dont want to look stupid and send an e-card with bears jumping around singing songs and stuff...</p>
<p>Kosuke, I don't know what kind of advice to give for you on interviews. For one thing, I think you are really overthinking it. I don't think that they matter very much at many schools these days, and as long as you don't deny the holocaust or claim that you are a direct descendent of Jesus Christ, you should be fine. Personally, I have only had three important interviews in my life. Two were for colleges and one was for my job as an intern at a law office in town. All three lasted around two hours, and I think they went very well. </p>
<p>My biggest piece of advice to you is to be confident. Be very, very confident. Don't be timid, and don't be afraid to talk. Remember, if you are applying to schools like WUStl and Pomona, you've probably got great qualifications, and your interviewer will probably be very interested in hearing about them in context. If it helps, get yourself in an arrogant/smug mindset (although don't speak this way!). Be an academic Muhammad Ali. Be prepared to talk about yourself, your hopes and dreams, what you look for in a college, and also have questions of your own. </p>
<p>On the clothing issue: it is not important, just wear comfortable, nice stuff that you'd wear to church (or school, depending on how preppy you are ;) ).</p>
<p>kosuke - you can send him an email, thank him for his time spent on your interview, and wish him a nice day.</p>
<p>I interviewed for an internship this past summer, and afterwords I sent the guy an e-mail thanking him for his time, and whatnot, and the next morning at like 10 AM he personally called me and told me i got the job. (i don't know if my e-mail had anything to do with it, but i tend to think that at least establishing some sort of follow up contact lets the person know that you are serious, and sincere about wanting the job.)</p>
<p>was this your first interview ever (including job interviews, etc.)? if it is, you're probably worrying about it too much. I think my intervew went pretty well, and my interviewer wished me good luck at the end. definitely send a thank you card. try practicing responses in front of a mirror, and making a list of unique, school-specific questions you can ask the interviewer. i really don't think you should wear jeans. you don't have ANY slacks at all? try borrowing some or buying some really cheap ones.</p>
<p>thanks cavalier, maybe i am overthinking it. im starting to think so too.
and about:
"On the clothing issue: it is not important, just wear comfortable, nice stuff that you'd wear to church (or school, depending on how preppy you are )."</p>
<p>might not work for me, i dont go to church and i wear my pants pretty low, i almost NEVER dress up. and i love my pacsun stuff, no preppiness for me. ill try my best to look nice for washu, though.</p>
<p>and fendergirl, so i should send him one by e-mail even though its been 2 months? do i not spend much time on how much i love the school?</p>
<p>"was this your first interview ever (including job interviews, etc.)?"</p>
<p>no, ive interviewed with pomona, and before that i interviewed with SEARS. SEARS standards were a lot lower im guessing, the guy gave me a job right after the interview and told me i was one of the best candidates he's ever interviewed. but then again, pomona is probably a little more selective than SEARS.</p>
<p>"you don't have ANY slacks at all? try borrowing some or buying some really cheap ones."
what are slacks? i have black dress pants, i guess. and borrowing is out of the question, im 5'4" and dont have any short friends, besides it'd be awkward...ill try the dress pants and decide if i need to spend some well earned SEARS money and go buy some pants. so my white and red adidas superstar II shoes are out of the question?</p>