<p>My daughter (a senior) and I are taking to heart the importance of picking "match" schools that she can really muster some enthusiasm for. But as we visit schools to see which she likes,it seems like the obvious, expected thing to do is schedule an on-campus interview. It's also useful, of course, for learning more about the school. But since she's sstill forming her impressions of these schools she's not yet in a postion to express the kind of informed, thoughtful, honest enthusiasm that interviewers are looking for. I guess she could visit, go to the info sessions and sit in on a class, and then try to go back for an interview at the schools she's really narrowed it down to, but a second trip may not be practical. Have any of you dealt with this? An irony is that most of her "reach" candidates (e.g. the ivies, Stanford) don't rely on interviews.</p>
<p>Many schools have local alumni interview those applicants who live in their area and these interviews can "count" for admissions purposes. I know that for some schools an on-campus interview is practically required (Pomona College for those who live in the So Cal area), but I'm sure that those colleges that strongly suggest interviews are understanding if you are out of state or can't fit in an on-campus interview due to scheduling restraints.</p>
<p>I guess it depends where you are in the search. In stage I you're examing various types of schools to see what is a fit; a large U, a small LAC, an urban school, a rural school. At this stage interviews are premature for the reasons you mentioned.</p>
<p>But in stage II, where you've narrowed down what you're looking for and now are out pounding the ground to get a sense of whether you've found it, interviews can be fine. Rather than gushing over school X your daughter instead needs to answer questions about "why X" by explaining how she's come to visit X. What is she looking for overall? What factors caused her to decide to visit? What has she seen so far, what is she still investigating? </p>
<p>Actually I think this can be a very effective interview because the interview becomes more of a conversation between 2 people sharing a common goal. Your daughter is exploring colleges, the adcom can help answer questions about a place she/he knows and loves. As in any interview she explains her strengths and what she can contribute. A lot, of course, is going to depend on how your daughter can interact with adults, her verbal skills, and so on.</p>
<p>she may want to consider taking some interviews - it is a way to learn more about the school. also, it is not a bad idea to go through some interviews at some schools you aren't necessarily sold on yet to help you practice for the interviews you may care more about.</p>
<p>just go in to them prepared - she should know enough about the school that she can show why the school is on her list - after that, its ok to have questions to help decide where on the list the school is.</p>
<p>interviewing with someone also then gives you a contact person at the school. as my daughter had questions during the application process, she had a specific person she could contact, which was very helpful, and also served to confirm her interest in the school.</p>
<p>Also, if the interview is before the tour - your D just needs to mention that the school great in print and on the website, and that she is looking forward to seeing it in person. </p>
<p>I also agree that getting a couple of interviews under one's belt is a good idea.</p>
<p>These are very helpful comments so far.</p>