<p>Well, it looks like I'm going to have my interview on Friday. So, I was curious if anyone out there has any pointers and good questions to ask. Should I bring anything with me? I'm applying to SEAS, if that makes the advice more specific. </p>
<p>Also, do the interviewers receive part 2 of your application? If so, would they ask specific things from the application? I am curious mainly because of the Interests portion of the application. I want to know if I should skim the books, periodicals, and such that I read so I can give specific answers.</p>
<p>First off, let me say that you shouldnt worry too much about the interview. The interviewer recieves almost little about your application because Columbia doesnt want the interviewer to have a biased opinion about the candidate so try to segue alot into what you put into your application. Also, when me interview was over, I got ther impression that the interview really wasnt all that important. It is important!... but about as much as a teacher recommendation is, so relax, be normal, and try to scope what the interviewers vibe is i.e (does he/she seem conservative or liberal, is he/she much older or younger, and does he/she seem to be pleased with his/her Columbia experience) Also, show that you are ready to take on a new way of learning, because what I am told, that is what you get when go to Columbia. You will probably asked about the core,but I recommend that you mention it first because it shows that you have researched alot about the school, and try to come up with an answer for " What do you plan to do with your Columbia education" because Columbia wants to see that you plan on using every advantage offered and more. I hope that this was helpful and not too much like me doing the interview for you.</p>
<p>Is an interview required?</p>
<p>No, but strongly recommended</p>
<p>It will look bad if you receive an offer and turn it down or ignore it</p>
<p>Relax, the interview is very loose and easy. They'll ask you a few easy questions.
I applied to SEAS and happened to get a SEAS alum (not always the case) and we discussed why I wanted to go to Columbia SEAS. He had my Part I application and asked me a couple questions about some of my answers on that application.</p>
<p>They mostly want to make sure that you exist and that you have a brain.</p>
<p>How do you get an interview? Do they just randomly decide who will get one or not? Or do you have to fill out a form/something for that?</p>
<p>We toured Columbia this summer and they told us that an interview was not central to their admissions process--they care more about your cumulative record--academic and ECs.</p>
<p>"They mostly want to make sure that you exist and that you have a brain."
LOL, that perfectly sums up a CU interview.</p>
<p>For catnamedzane, CU Adcom does not coordinate interview. They send most of the applicants' names & basic info to the alumni committee/organization. They TRY their best, so SOMETIMES interview is not offered for those that live FAR FAR FAR away (& does not have CU alum representation). Turning down one (if offered) is therefore not recommended. And LOL, no you don't fill out a form, you guys have enough of those already. ;)</p>
<p>I thought the interview wasn't THAT important...but that's just me.</p>
<p>I'm not really worried that it's OMGimportant or anything, but if it would help <em>at all</em> then I really want one. Because I'm already a bit of a (really, really, really) long shot.</p>
<p>Thanks for the advice, everyone. . .</p>
<p>Well, now my only problem is this - I e-mailed my interviewer on Wednesday to tell him which time would be preferable for me on Friday afternoon as he requested, but I received no response. Now I don't know what to do because I have no idea what time my interview is supposed to be. I don't just want to show up at a random time. . .</p>
<p>And I don't have a phone number to call or anything like that - the interviewer specifically stated to contact him through e-mail.</p>
<p>Hopefully you didn't get a response because your preferred time was ok with him. It would be great if you could post & let us know how it went .... my interview is scheduled for the 12th!</p>
<p>Good Luck!!!</p>
<p>The interviewer has your application onhand?</p>
<p>Should I call Columbia University and ask them about an interview, even though it says on the website (I think) that applicants should not call requesting an interview. I live i Texas, do you think that this may be a reason why I am not getting an interview. I turned in my part 2 on October 26, 04. Ah yes, I am a really really really long shot just like catnamedzane says he is.</p>
<p>"I live i Texas, do you think that this may be a reason why I am not getting an interview."</p>
<p>No way, texas is not THAT much of suburban state, so you'll probably get on.
If you live in Oregon, however, I can't quite say the same. :)</p>
<p>DO NOT CALL THEM.</p>
<p>But if you are so worried, ask them "indirectly" like whether they received your app. If they say they did, then you got nothing to worry about.</p>
<p>well, last year my son and his best friend both got Columbia interviews -- and they live(d) in Oregon.</p>
<p>Oh, and we have the Internet too, now!</p>
<p>I live in Oregon and have not yet been contacted for an interview, but two of my friends have. I have been contacted by Tufts though.</p>
<p>For the interviews, do alumnis pick people with great stats? How does it work?</p>
<p>chaoticcranium, when did you submit your application? and which region are you from?</p>
<p>I was referring to Franklinbrown, who used to post here (lives in Oregon and also HAD interview questions).</p>
<p>My interviewer was an alum who used Oregon as an example for under-represented states, interviewers-wise. But if your son had one, I guess that was good news for you.</p>
<p>Don't talk my word too seriously, I was only HALF-kidding, :)</p>
<p>I submitted my application on December 31st, and I live in Suffolk County in Long Island, New York. </p>
<p>My interview went pretty well on Friday. I brought in my research abstract and my list of activities to the interview, so that might be a good idea to bring (just don't bring too much). I had to fill out a form with all of my activities and scores and stuff before my interview. Because of this, I'm almost certain they don't receive Part 2 of the application because they ask that stuff on Part 2.</p>
<p>I went in and I was asked the following questions by my interviewer (off the top of my head): How did I hear about Columbia? Why do I want to attend Columbia? What do you want to major in and why are you passionate about your major (in my case, computer science at SEAS)? What are your interests and how do you explore them? Where is Columbia ranked on your list of colleges? On what criteria are you going to base your college decision on? </p>
<p>I think I sounded clear, articulate, and professional in responding to these questions (or at least I hope so), although I wasn't given the chance to say all that I wanted to say. Despite this, I think I accomplished the goal of showing them "that I exist and have a brain", so that's good. My interviewer seemed light-hearted and kind, and the interview was relaxed and easy. I will say the interview was pretty short - it was definitely less than 15 minutes, which is a bit discomforting - but my interviewer had to get a lot of people in and it was the same amount of time for everyone, so I'm not worried. Just make sure to say what you have to say relatively quickly. Overall, I'll say its a success and it'll definitely help me out.</p>
<p>Good luck to everyone else who still has to take the interview, and I hope my experiences help you out.</p>