How would you answer the “Why [college name]?” question? I’ve done some research on it, but I trust the CC community more. Is your response supposed to be super systematic and talk about the school or more focused on other aspects?
Thanks
I would try to focus on any specific attribute(s) unique to that school that make you want to attend.
Why do you “fit” the school? What personal attributes do you have that would make you a good fit for the program/major at the school? How would you be an asset to the university’s community etc.
The key is to find unique(-ish) things about the school that relate explicitly to demonstrable qualities or experiences. If you say “I love that COLLEGE has a great art museum and students can volunteer to be docents” but you have nothing in your app that suggests you’re interested in art, well, it’s fine, but it’s a whole lot less convincing than if you do have experience in art museums or art appreciation, for example.
"I’ve done some research on it, but I trust the CC community more. "
You seem to not understand the question with this post. If your boyfriend/girlfriend were to say: “Why do you like you me?” Should you query others for the best answers? How shallow would that be?
This is about YOU. If you can’t formulate the answers without asking passing strangers, perhaps that should alarm you. If it’s this difficult at this stage, what happens when you’re forced to choose one over the other? Why do YOU like chocolate ice cream over vanilla? Why do YOU like the Boston Red Sox? Why do YOU like no mustard on the hamburger?
Go to the dept(s) that you are most likely to major in, find the courses that most interest you and see who is teaching them. Look up the faculty and learn what their research is about. Is anyone doing work that is especially interesting to you? Anyone you’d like to learn from in particular? Finding any future mentor material there?
Next, look for special programs and opportunities that the school promotes, especially those related to your areas of study. Do any of them look especially good to you? Look at alumni news letters, student newspapers, etc…what are they bragging about?
How else is the school different from the others? urban/rural/suburban? quarter vs semester system? a unique, school-specific facility/research center/ international connection? something fun to do in the local area that you are looking forward to trying?
The idea here is to employ those research skills to dig a bit below the surface, then tie it to what you care about academically or personally. If you can’t find anything, then you may be looking at the wrong school(s).
Thank you for the help.
sorrysorrysorry, one last question for everyone. If I am meeting at a coffee shop would it be appropriate to buy a drink before the interviewer gets there? Should I wait? Or should I just not buy a drink?
Yes, that’s fine, that’s what I did.
I would buy a drink! Right? What’s wrong with buying a drink?
Fine to buy a drink or not…whatever you feel comfortable doing.