AU interview tomorrow. Please help! :)

Chance Me / Match Me!
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<p>Hey everyone!</p>

<p>Tomorrow, I have my American University college interview tomorrow. I'm really, really nervous, as I have never done an interview before, let alone a college interview (although I have another upcoming interview in 2 weeks). I just wanted some tips or suggestions, as I'm totally clueless, and was wondering if it had any impact on admissions, since AU is very big on demonstrated interest, which I have tried to show. Any advice would be great, especially on how to prepare for the questions and anything else you might want to add! Thank you so much! :)</p>

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<p>Be honest. Ask them questions. Take time to answer.</p>

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<p>Along with that, be yourself. Colleges dont want robots. If they ask you a question be completely honest, even if the honest answer doesn’t seem like what they’re looking for.</p>

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<p>Thanks, but I was looking for what I should ask them. What type of questions should I prepare for them, because I know interviewers like for the interviewees to have questions for them. Thanks anyways!</p>

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<p>Be ready for the “Tell me about yourself” question.</p>

<p>As for questions to ask, think of ones you are genuinely curious about. Don’t ask any for any statistical information or anything else that you could find online easily. Also don’t be afraid to ask about their experience specifically; a lot of people love talking about themselves.</p>

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<p>I had an interview with them back in November that didn’t go as well as I planned, so I’ll try and give you some tips so that it all goes smoothly. </p>

<p>Is your interview at AU or is it a local interview day? I did a local interview and it was with an admissions officer for the business school (which isn’t the school I applied to), but a friend of mine had hers with our own admissions officer that we’d previously met and sent emails to. </p>

<p>The first question that I was asked was the infamous “tell me about yourself” question. Set the tone for your interview in your description of yourself, because that is how your interviewer will find more questions to ask you. </p>

<p>Be comfortable. I know it seems simple, but not being comfortable was the reason that I believe my interview was so short. They did my interview 5 feet away from the waiting area where my dad was sitting and I wasn’t really comfortable with that. My biggest regret is not telling my dad to wait somewhere else, because I was unable to say things that I wanted to say while he was in earshot. I became scrambled during the interview and didn’t say what I needed to say to make myself stand out. </p>

<p>Keep the conversation going. They have a list of questions that they can ask you, but if you aren’t giving responses that can allow for more questions to be asked, your interview will end up being very short.</p>

<p>Have something prepared to say that isn’t on your application. In my opinion, this is the most important part of the interview because the reason you’re doing the interview is to expand upon yourself and talk about things that aren’t grades or test scores. Stand out with this question by saying something that other applicants aren’t likely to say, and obviously make it a point to relate this to your strength as an applicant.</p>

<p>As for questions…I asked something about the honors and global scholars programs which only relates to you if you’re applying to those. Maybe you could ask questions about internship opportunities considering that they claim themselves to be the number one school for internships. However, you need to be specific and ask thought provoking questions. Be interesting.</p>

<p>Also, AU doesn’t give a list of interview questions of their website. Use questions from other colleges to prepare. Specifically, you absolutely need to prepare for the “tell me about yourself”, the “something not on your app” question, and anything about whatever program(s) you’re applying to so that you can really show interest.</p>

<p>Good luck! I hope yours goes better than mine did!</p>

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<p>Thank you so much!! I really appreciate it. I am doing a local interview, about an hour way. Washington D.C is too far to travel to, lol. How formal or informal would you say it is. I’m a girl, so I don’t want to be over or underdressed. Should I submit the application. I’ve had it ready for a while, but the member questions, which show demonstrated interest wouldn’t show the interview, since I don’t know who I’ll interview with. I’m applying to honors, PPL, and Global Scholars. Were there any other questions you can remember? Again, thanks so much! I appreciate the goldmine of info.</p>

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<p>Bump? Since the interview is tomorrow, I feel no shaming bumping.</p>

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<p>I’m a guy and I wore a red polo with khaki’s, so I guess you should wear whatever you think your equivalent of that would be. :stuck_out_tongue: To be honest, the set up of the interview wasn’t very formal. It was just in the lobby of a hotel…don’t overthink what you’re wearing though. They understand that you’re 17/18 and don’t expect much in terms of wardrobe.</p>

<p>My interviewer asked about how I would spread political efficacy at AU. You’re applying to global scholars so you might get a similar question, although it might have just been prompted by my earlier statements that I’m in JSA and read political articles a lot. So, be prepared to talk about what you’d hope to accomplish. Even if you don’t know exactly what you want to do after college, it’s appropriate to respond with something along the lines of “I’m not sure exactly what I want to do after graduation, but I think I may want to do/ be a _______ because…” </p>

<p>I wish I could give you more advice, my as I didn’t do such a good job in my interview, it wasn’t very long and I don’t have much to say. However, I did have an interview with GW that lasted way longer and went much better, and it ran smoothly because I was much more comfortable, prepared, and open to talk about anything. Based on my other experience…I would also say that you should prepare to talk extensively on anything that you bring up when you introduce yourself. That way you’ll end up with a longer interview with an interviewer that can actually become engaged in what you’re saying.</p>

<p>And as for whether or not you should submit the app now, I don’t see any reason why you shouldn’t., unless you feel like you might learn something about au that would enhance one of your essays at the interview. In my experiences I didn’t learn anything groundbreaking about either school, I just became more attached to them.</p>

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<p>Thank you so much!!</p>

<p>Yeah, I’m just wearing a nice sweater and slacks, along with high heels, so I hope I’m fine. It’s not that big of a concern for me. </p>

<p>I’m sure politics questions will pop up since I’m applying to both 3 year programs: PPL & GS. I’ll try to prepare as much as I can, since I really don’t have that much political knowledge. I know I want to be a lawyer, which is why I love the Politics, Policy and Law program.</p>

<p>I have quite a few unique hobbies and interests, so I’ll try to bring that up. Should I also bring up musical tastes or no?</p>

<p>I wasn’t sure if I should submit the application or not yet because in the contacts part which shows demonstrated interest, it asks about interviews and the person’s name, but since it hasn’t happened yet, I wasn’t sure whether to submit the application now and not put that on it, or submit it after the interview with the person’s name. I know they put a lot of weight on demonstrated interest, so I wasn’t sure what to do.</p>

<p>Again thank you so much. I really do value your comments and tips since you actually did an AU interview.</p>

<p>Anyone else?</p>

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<p>Attire: I wouldn’t wear jeans but you do not need to wear a skirt. Blazer or cardigan over button-down or tee shirt with pants that are not jeans.</p>

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<p>Our posts crossed. Attire sounds perfect. Bring a resume.</p>

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<p>Thanks!</p>

<p>What sort of questions should I prepare to ask the interviewer, since usually they ask you to ask questions?</p>

<p>Also, can anyone answer about whether I should submit it or not? (Look in my previous post) above.</p>

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<p>^ bump? Should I or should I not submit the app right now? </p>

<p>I wasn’t sure if I should submit the application or not yet because in the contacts part which shows demonstrated interest, it asks about interviews and the person’s name, but since it hasn’t happened yet, I wasn’t sure whether to submit the application now and not put that on it, or submit it after the interview with the person’s name. I know they put a lot of weight on demonstrated interest, so I wasn’t sure what to do.</p>

<p>Please respond. :slight_smile: Thank you so much!</p>

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<p>I really need to know if I should submit it or not. I am going to the interview in about half an hour. Please let me know. Thanks! :)</p>

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<p>So, I walk into the hotel, with 15 minutes to spare, and I’m a little worried because I don’t see anyone. I ask about any college interviews going on, and the hotel staff doesn’t know. It’s getting closer to my interview time, and I check my email, and guess what? It’s next week. LOL. So much for being prepared and double checking time and date.</p>