<p>We are going to visit a few colleges over spring break. Our plan is to do the info sessions, tours, and for our son to visit a class. He's a junior. He's not scheduled to do any interviews. I originally thought that was more of a senior year thing, but now I'm wondering...
Any thoughts on the best time to interview?
Thanks!</p>
<p>You are definitely on the right track! It is wise to visit a college campus early in your high school experience just to get a sense of the differences between colleges (large vs. small; urban vs. rural), but it is absolutely essential that you plan a serious visit during your junior year of high school and then possibly again during the fall of your senior year before you make out your college applications. If campus interviews are required, you might set those interview dates up to correspond with your visits. I usually advise my students to interview first at a college lower on their college list so they can use it as a practice, and to save their favorite college for later when they have full confidence in their interview skills!</p>
<p>I agree with collegebasicscom --save the favorite choices and reach choices for a second visit interview. But if first visit will include some genuine safteties--even if you're not sure you'll apply, one or two practice interviews are not a bad idea.</p>
<p>My D's experience was that interview "success" was strongly related to 1) understanding the college in depth and relating yourself to the college's unique features 2) A large portion of luck-- getting an interviewer with whom you somehow just hit it off right and/or he/she just happens to ask a question that enables you to respond naturally and enthusiastically while revealing yourself in the best light.</p>
<p>I do not recommend memorizing model answers but a good tip is to keep in mind 3 or 4 strong points in your character, interests or preparation relative to each school's self image and try to incorporate at least one or two of these in your responses--kind of like the key themes politicians use when campaigning.</p>
<p>We visited colleges Feb. break (northeast schools we could drive to), April break (flew to the Great Midwest and drove around) and summer (drove to Mid-Atlantic and flew to West coast). Son said no interviews on the first round. He just wanted to look. Only one of those schools would have given an interview to a junior anyway, but most let him in to see a class.</p>
<p>Two months later, he felt ready to interview and most of the Midwest schools were good with that. Before his first interview, I asked him lots of questions I thought he might be asked. His HS GC had also interviewed him to get info for rec, so that was good. We also re-read about each school from our guides and he came up with a couple of questions to ask. He carried a little reporter's size notebook into each interview, with his qustions written (in case he forgot) and took some notes during the interview. He found only one interviewer intimidating. All the others have been friendly and have made the process pleasant. By now, he is totally comfortable doing this, had a couple of alumni interviews this fall and winter locally.</p>
<p>We took our junior d to visit several LAC's in the Northeast over her spring break. I inquired about setting up an interview for her, since we came all the way from the sunny south. All admissions offices advised me that they don't interview juniors, but that if she was unable to return to campus for an interview as a senior, an alumni interview in our hometown would carry the same weight and demonstrate the same level of interest as if she had returned to the school.</p>
<p>Can anyone confirm this for me, or has anyone had a different experience?</p>
<p>Yes, only one NE school we visited in S's jr year would have done an interview (SLC--YAY!). My son wasn't ready to interview yet, but he did do an alumni interview for Vassar--the only kind they do. When schools offer this, I believe they weight it equally--especially when you have made the effort to visit the campus.</p>
<p>Thanks everyone for your quick and helpful responses. I think we'll just go enjoy the visits and not worry about interviews right now.</p>