<p>does anyone know if it is more of an informational interview or a "brag-about-all-your-accomplishments" type interview?</p>
<p>My son had his interview last night at a coffee shop. He was contacted about two weeks after submitting his application by an interviewer in our area. The interview lasted about 45 minutes and went well. My son said there were lots of questions and the interviewer listened, took notes, then came back with more questions after reviewing the notes.</p>
<p>He was asked what the last book was that he had read and to talk about it. Why he chose Columbia and why Columbia should choose him. He was asked to describe himself and what he considered to be his greatest weakness. The interviewer talked about his experiences while at Columbia and his career choice. This was not my son's first interview, but he says he felt at ease with the interviewer and enjoyed the topics of conversation that resulted after a question had been asked.</p>
<p>My son says it went very well and that the interviewer told him he was impressed with his responses and amazed at how he managed to have so many extracurriculars with the course load that he has. In the end he told him he felt he was a great fit for Columbia and that he would be writing a recommendation for him. </p>
<p>Hope this helps. Oh, my son dressed in dark jeans, Sperrys and a nice sweater.</p>
<p>i had my columbia interview last week and the interviewer's office. it was the best interview i had ever! well, comparing with my other ones... just be ready to talk about your activities.</p>
<p>i had my columbia interview last week at the interviewer's office. it was the best interview i had ever! well, comparing with my other ones... just be ready to talk about your activities. i wore a suit.</p>
<p>"i wore a suit."</p>
<p>you definitely didn't need to for a college interview, business casual would have suited. A suit can be an overkill depending on the location / type of office, but if you're interviewer is at a prestigious law firm, a suit is appropriate.</p>
<p>"just be ready to talk about your activities"</p>
<p>no, this is dumb advice, your interview experience is independent of the others, it's difficult to gauge what the interviewer will actually ask. Of course be prepared to talk about your activities, but not especially so over you academic/political/religious/social/etc. interests</p>
<p>Use bahasa Indonesia, but offer to show your mastery of English to ensure there is no doubt. salamat</p>
<p>confidentialcoll-- my interviewer's office is in midtown manhattan and it is a financial company. I wore a suit because i am from a economics and financial high school which is located near wall street and i am the CFO of my school's virtual company. we also talked a lot about the current economy and how it's gonna effect my company. I think it's always better to dress up than dress down-- except you guys are meeting at starbucks. It all depends on where the interview is.</p>
<p>
[quote]
i am from a economics and financial high school which is located near wall street and i am the CFO of my school's virtual company
[/quote]
.
We're you offering your company's services or interviewing for college? since it's a college interview, the fact that you started up a business in high school is irrelevant to how you should dress. the only factors that should define your dress is: who you're meeting, for what purpose and where. Wearing a suit at an investment banking operation or corporate law firm is understandable, while still not necessary. Most other places, a suit would definitely be an overkill.</p>
<p>So apparently, all interviews were finished in February and alums contacted like all the Columbia applicants in my school but I was never contacted!?! Can anyone explain this?</p>
<p>@ Kyinaire
I'm in the same boat! I'm a little confused :(</p>
<p>Kyinaire and AParis: there are thousands of threads on this: if you haven't been contacted, it doesn't matter, there probably aren't enough alums in the area or they don't have time or a combination of the two. WOn't hurt your chances</p>
<p>PS: confidentialcoll: if you're going to an alum's office for an interview, even a college interview, dressing in a suit or business casual is the best practice. you won't stick out in the office.</p>
<p>^point taken, but it depends on the office. Law firm, I-bank or consulting - yes I agree, suit would make sense, but if you don't have one don't worry, it's a college interview and your interviewer will understand.</p>