<p>Im going to the AP/EA program this summer and I plan to make an interview while I'm there for admission as an undergrad. Is there anything I need to do to prepare for it like certain questions they are going to ask or things I should talk about?
Can anyone who has had an interview there explain what exactly happened in the interview and the exact questions asked?</p>
<p>I had my interview something like seven years ago, and it was a very casual meeting. We talked about the things I did in high school, what I liked and what I didn’t like. We talked about what I wanted to do once I got to CMU, and what I’d like to do in the future after CMU.</p>
<p>I think they’re mostly looking to make sure you’re not completely socially inept and can hold a decent conversation.</p>
<p>I believe they asked me what I thought I could contribute to the university. In addition, they asked me what I was looking for in a college (not Carnegie Mellon specifically). Have questions ready, because a lot of the interview for me was asking questions.</p>
<p>To be honest, you will come off much better if you don’t prepare for it specifically. Certainly you should think in general (though this is good for you far beyond the interview) about what you want to do in college, what your strengths are, etc, etc ,etc.</p>
<p>But if you ‘practice’ for the interview, you’ll come off as canned, and what CMU really wants is someone who is at ease personally and around others.</p>
<p>I did an interview in november during my visit for a sleeping-bag weekend. It was relatively short and informal, but it went great and required little to no prior planning on my part. I explained some of my academic work and extra-curriculars, but then moved on to what I liked about the campus, what I had done the past day there, what i thought of the classes i sat in on, and how I got along with my host and his roomate / kids on their floor. Essentially i told my interviewer that I fit in, loved the school, and would love to attend. At the end of the interview he did put me on the spot a little by asking what was the one thing I wanted him to make a special note about me for when they reviewed my application in the spring… </p>
<p>I really had no clue so i told him that I was well rounded and not just a kid who sits in his basement programming all day, lol. Anyways, i think it was a generally positive interview, but i’m not sure if really tipped the scale all that much. I was accepted to scs though, so it couldn’t have been too bad =)</p>
<p>I’m going to revive this thread for a different reason…</p>
<p>I know two people who were waitlisted at CMU. Both didn’t have interviews. A few other people, who I would consider less qualified but were accepted, had interviews. </p>
<p>Basically, I’m wondering if there were any acceptees who didn’t have an interview. I’m asking because I want to be in a position to give the right advice, rather than ignorant assumptions, for future applicants.</p>
<p>DS interviewed at other well known technical engineering schools and was Not accepted. :)</p>
<p>Your criteria is faulty. Your position that an interview could help acceptance, Could very well be detrimental for acceptance.</p>
<p>I also did five interviews this year for CMU and only one was accepted. Was actually a little disappointed by it, since some of them seemed extremely bright and enthusiastic. A lot more so than the straight-A student they admitted with seemingly very little interest in CMU.</p>
<p>S was accepted to HSS and did not interview, not did he visit CMU before being accepted. He did attend one of the admissions presentations at a local hotel. S had a high ACT score (34), but his grades and ECs were not stellar.</p>