<p>What do they look for? What type of questions do they ask?</p>
<p>I have been conducting Alumni admissions interviews for Brown for 15 years. The interviews are not evaluative, as much as informative, and give the applicants a chance to see a friendly face representing the University. We are looking for candidates that fit the Brown "personality profile", endlessly debated here, and probably well known, personal passion, independent thinking,etc. But as I have said in this forum before, we just want to make sure that you don't have two heads, and give you a chance to ask questions from a living, breathing Brown Alum.
On a practical level, though...I for one personally HATE it when candidates tell me in an interview that they like Brown less than ....(fill in the blank), and when the candidate is completely clueless... (in one memorable interview the student asked if there was a science major at Brown!)</p>
<p>That science major thing is pretty funny... are there any other humorous interview stories you'd care to share?</p>
<ol>
<li><p>"Favorite book? Well, I've never been into reading much."</p></li>
<li><p>"I'm applying to Brown because I really really want to live in Providence."</p></li>
<li><p>"my parents are making me apply to all the ivy league schools, which one is this interview for, again? I forgot."</p></li>
</ol>
<p>and the number one most astonishing thing anyone ever asked...</p>
<ol>
<li>"can I keep a boa constrictor in my dorm room."</li>
</ol>
<p>well, ive never been into reading much.</p>
<p>Man, #2 reminds me of Harold and Kumar.</p>
<p>That should help you out. Keep in mind though, that they can ask anything they want. If things start turning into a conversation more than a Q&A, you're going in the right direction.</p>
<p>Honestly I don't think interviews matter much. I actually applied twice to Brown. The first time my interviewer called my mom to answer one of my questions and said that "i was truly amazing and i can go to any school i want to, but she hoped i chose brown" -- didin't get in. </p>
<p>The second year my interviewer said i was just outstanding -- didn't get in </p>
<p>Third year I applied as a transfer -- no interview -- got in. </p>
<p>Anyways, I think they have very minor influence. I mean everyone who applies is so wonderful and eloquent, chances are they will all get rave reviews from the alumn who interview them.</p>
<p>So you're an incoming junior, I'm guessing, then?</p>
<p>no, i took a year off after high school (they don't give interviews to transfer applicants). I was already plannign on taking a year off when I got rejected</p>
<p>I had an alumni interview. She was pursuing a Masters in Biomedical Engineering through a GaTech-Emory joint program. A really nice lady--she immediately made me feel comfortable. It felt more like a conversation than an actual interrogation which was great.</p>
<p>I remember she asked:
"What are your favorite classes and why?"</p>
<p>"Which teacher has had the greatest impact on you during your high school years?"</p>
<p>"If you chose not to pursue medicine, what other fields are you interested in?"</p>
<p>"What do you see yourself being involved in at Brown? How can you make a difference?"</p>
<p>Also, I remember we talked about my extracurricular activities, and how they helped develop my character. We talked about Brown's internship opportunities, the positives of a "core-less" undergrad, the professors, and Providence in general. I am certain she wrote me an excellent letter and helped paint an accurate portrayal of my character. I know interviews are not "make or break", but I can't help but feel that was a contributing factor to my acceptance.</p>
<p>On average, how many questions do most interviewers ask?</p>
<p>I honestly could not tell you definitely how many questions she asked me. The reason why is because the interview was more of conversation--which is what you want. I would say maybe she asked me 15 formal questions; however, I would label it impromptu considering if I said something she found intriguing, she would attempt to delve into it for more specificity (usually about an extracurricular activity). That is why it is so crucial that you do not lie.</p>
<ol>
<li>Make sure you know why you want to attend Brown</li>
<li>Make sure you know what you intend to accomplish at Brown</li>
<li>Make sure you know what you can bring to Brown</li>
<li>Know your strengths and weaknesses</li>
</ol>
<p>^^^ Know these in-depth in case you interviewer attempts to gain more specificity. If you know that, then the number of questions he or she asks will become irrelevant.</p>
<p>Also, ask your interviewer pertinent questions. I can guarantee that he or she will LOVE that.</p>
<p>Just smile. Exude confidence. And do not lie. That doesn't mean to accentuate your negative traits, but to not lie about your accomplishments.</p>
<p>Hope that helps.</p>
<p>My interview lasted about 50 minutes, and I'd say at least 30 minutes were spent on why I loved Brown. She did ask me about my ec's and how I liked growing up in my hometown, but we spent the vast majority of the time talking about why Brown was a great place and why, specifically, it was great for me. And to tell the truth, I think I asked her more questions than she asked me.</p>
<p>so did u get in and do u go to Brown?</p>
<p>Like annelise, I also do interviews. We're explicitly instructed that our main job is to spread goodwill about Brown. We are told to help the student feel comfortable. Most of us do interviews because we enjoy meeting young people and would like to help them.</p>
<p>I go a little nuts (inwardly) when students ask me, "What are Brown's distribution requirements?" When they ask questions, I am expecting them to show that they've already researched the school and are seeking to learn more. I am looking for a student who is an interesting, high-energy person who is so eager to tell me about what she or he is up to and interested in and to ask intelligent questions about Brown that I am sorry when the interview comes to an end. Although I do make allowances for the fact that some students are shy or introverted, I am eager to see enthusiasm, a lively mind, and a creative thinker. If someone tells me, "I am in the school orchestra," and leaves it at that, that's not enough. These are not necessarily things you can prepare in the short term, but it would be helpful to arrive at the interview with a few topics about which you can share some interesting, telling anecdotes that convey you as a person who would contribute to campus life.</p>
<p>That said, the admissions office also warns us that the vast majority of students we interview -- even the ones we really like -- won't get in. If it goes really badly, the interview can be "a reason to deny, and I'm always looking for those because we have so many great kids applying," one admissions officer told me. But otherwise it's more of an opportunity for the student to ask about Brown.</p>
<p>Yeah, I really liked that about Brown's interview, that it was more about my interviewer telling me how much he loved Brown than me getting grilled about "what makes me tick" and "why are you deserving of admission". It's representative of Brown as a school I guess, although it must suck to have a good interview like that, get your hopes up, and then be rejected.</p>
<p>I think the fact that some kids would ask about Brown's distribution requirements shows why interviews are important: to help weed out kids who know nothing about the school and thus cannot really want to attend.</p>