<p>Hey y'all</p>
<p>So I have my first interview coming up (University of Rochester) and I'm a tad nervous. Does anyone have any past experience interviewing with this school that they would be willing to share with me?</p>
<p>Any interviewing tips in general? I'm worried that my nerves will take over my ability to answer any questions intelligently :P Thanks!</p>
<p>Aim for a really polished look. Conservative, somewhat preppy, confident. Smile, think before you answer questions (but not for too long!). Be prepared to ask some questions of your own. </p>
<p>When you answer questions, expound a little on your answer, but don’t turn into a chatterbox (that can happen when you’re nervous), and don’t just give one word answers (that can happen too). If you think you’re going to be really nervous, role play with your parents or one of your friends.</p>
<p>Relax! They want to get to know you. They want to sell you on the school as well. General things like a nice handshake and eye contact. Sylvan is correct, be prepared to ask questions about the school. Spend some time on their website to make sure these are not questions that are readily answered. It will show lack of initiative. Perhaps ask about research opportunities if that’s important to you, or something specific to what you are going to be studying.</p>
<p>I would certainly role play with your parents. It may help you get out the ‘uhm’ and ‘like’ that you may say a lot without realizing it. I have honestly heard about getting asked the ‘what color’ or ‘what animal’ question, so you might want to have a quick response for those that you think are just too obvious. I don’t know about Rochester, this was at another school. I was just surprised to hear it come up again this summer.</p>
<p>Being prepared will put you miles ahead of students that think they will just ‘wing it’.</p>
<p>Check the interview thread pinned to the top of this board.</p>
<p>A smile and a handshake are good ideas as is taking the time to read the website so you have basic info about the school and so any questions you have aren’t obviously answered on the website.</p>
<p>Be prepared to answer questions about why you’re interested in the school, what kind of ECs you participate in and why, and what your favorite courses are and why.</p>
<p>It’s normal for anyone – including adults – to be nervous during interviews, so don’t stress over being nervous. It’s your adrenaline kicking in giving you energy for the interview. When I interviewed students and others, I was more concerned about a lack of obvious nervousness than if they seemed nervous. When someone seemed extremely relaxed, I worried that they weren’t interested in the opportunity.</p>
<p>The interviewer is going to be trying to get to know you and to sell you on the school. The intevierwer won’t be out to get you.</p>
<p>In addition to what everyone else said, which is all wonderful advice, I would also suggest being ready to say what you are looking for in your school. I’ve been asked that on both of my interviews so far.</p>
<p>Also, be prepared to just go with the flow. Both of the interviews I had last year were more like conversations than question and answer sessions. They’d start with a question and then feed of my answer to find out more about me. I liked it that way because it seemed much more natural, but if you stress trying to come up with all the possible questions they can ask and then come up with your answers to them before you get there, then it can throw you off.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the help guys, hopefully all goes well :)</p>
<p>Interviews are my absolute favorite part of the admissions process so far. I find it’s really fun to talk to admissions officer. I wish I could have an interview take the place of the essay (I speak much better than I write).</p>
<p>My number one tip would be to come prepared. Not with a list of questions or anything, but with REALLY specific info on the school, its programs, what the school can do for you, and what you can do for the school. My way of prepping is to go through that colleges forum on CC and read through all of the College X vs. College Y threads - that’s where you can get lots of specifics. </p>
<p>Not sure if this is considered “good” or “bad,” but thus far all of my interviews have devolved into relaxed conversations by end. I end up asking the admissions officer questions about his/her family or career or something else not directly college related. </p>
<p>Bottom line - have fun. Interviews aren’t usually that important so just talk about what you’re good at, what you love, and the college.</p>
<p>^ You aren’t talking to an admissions officer. You’re talking to an person that serves as an intermediate between you and the admissions office.</p>
<p>^Actually that’s incorrect, on all of my interviews I have talked to the Senior Director of Admissions. I believe that is an admissions officer if I am not mistaken…</p>
<p>They have time to interview students personally? Do you live right next to the campus or something?</p>
<p>No but I did an on campus interview at Dickinson, F&M, and Goucher.</p>