<p>I (optimistically) requested an interview and I was offered one, but now I'm getting extremely nervous. I've never had an interview of any kind and I'm afraid I'll mess everything up if I go. How bad would it look to not go? And if I don't, is there any possible way to tell the alumni without seeming like a complete baby?</p>
<p>I’d say go–I had a not-so-mini freakout about my interview too. I was super nervous at first and it didn’t start out well (I got a bit tongue tied and didn’t answer her first question well), but it ended up really great! My interviewer was very friendly and warm and ended up complimenting me and telling me she thought I had a good chance (not so sure about that one lol, but it was nice to hear :p). It’s not nearly as scary as I expected, mainly because they really do go into it wanting to like you and be impressed.</p>
<p>Any chance you can set up an interview with another school that is not as high on your list before your U. of Chicago interview? You probably won’t be as nervous, and it will be good practice. Good luck.</p>
<p>I made the interview! Thank you @enoughnerve you gave me enough nerve d:
@sschickens that’s a really good idea! unfortunately she wanted to do it this weekend so not much time in between 
</p>
<p>Another question now, I don’t drive, so I’ll have to get dropped off by my dad. How long do these usually last, so I’m not awkwardly waiting at the place after the interview or having to leave early?</p>
<p>Mine was really short, about 25 minutes, I’ve heard they normally last about a half hour to an hour. I’m glad you made it! 
It’s really cool to get to talk to someone who knows so much about the school.</p>
<p>25 minutes is very much on the short end; most interviews probably go 45 minutes to an hour, with many extending a bit longer. It matters a lot, of course, whether the interviewer is trying to do several of them back to back.</p>
<p>What a lot of kids do is to text their “driver” when the interview ends. Usually, the parent can find something to do not too far away, so there isn’t a lot of lead time between the text or call and arrival. If the interview is someplace like a Starbucks, the kid and parent can decide to have the kid go someplace nearby to wait for the parent.</p>
<p>It’s also completely fair to ask the interviewer at the beginning how long he or she expects the interview to go so you can let your parent know when to get you, and to text that answer to your parent before the interview begins. (Asking permission first. And once the interview begins, don’t even glance at that phone.) Interviewers know that kids don’t magically appear for interviews, and that often someone has to give them a ride and pick them up.</p>
<p>True, mine was at the interviewer’s gallery, so I think she was rushing since she was still probably on the clock</p>
<p>Yalesoon, I don’t know your father, but my guess is that he absolutely won’t mind parking somewhere inconspicuous and just waiting for you, however long it takes. Let him catch up on his email, a book, whatever. </p>
<p>You will do fine. And even if the interview doesn’t go exactly as you’d hoped, you’ll still do fine. One small suggestion: don’t let on to the UChicago interviewer what your CC username is :-)</p>
<p>You all are so helpful I’m still extremely nervous but I know it’s got to be done! It’s at Starbucks so I think he’ll probably go do something nearby and come back. </p>
<p>I really wish I could change my name haha. I’m not even applying to Yale!</p>
<p>how was you interview ? hope you had a great one!</p>
<p>It was not as bad as I expected, of course I was nervous but the interviewer was really friendly and helpful and told me a lot about his experience at Uchicago and said I seemed like a strong applicant. My mom went instead of my dad and met him and talked for a couple minutes before the actual interview also.
Overall I’m glad I went and I’d advise anyone else who’s too scared to go to just do it :p</p>
<p>I didn’t ask for an interview because of home exams. Does that play against me?</p>
<p>I’m not sure. I know if you request one and they’re unavailable they definitely can’t count it against you. I’m sure it won’t affect their decision too much, since the interview isn’t a huge part of the application!</p>
<p>I didn’t interview and made it EA. They do evaluate you in the interview somewhat, but the standard selective-college interview is more for you to learn about the university than for the university to evaluate you. :)</p>