<p>I'm surprised I'm still in the running... or am I?</p>
<p>I applied as a Fall 2009 GS student and was just called today regarding an interview. I thought that not hearing from them for weeks meant that I was going to be rejected. However, I now have an interview with them scheduled tomorrow.</p>
<p>Can anyone give me some tips and pointers for the interview? I would love to hear from any current or potential GS students who had to go through the interview process. If you could tell me anything about what you had to do through or what they asked, that would be great.</p>
<p>Just thinking about still being in the running is making me so jittery... I've already put in an off day for tomorrow afternoon for it!</p>
<p>I’d just like to add also that I’m sure that they will be asking me questions to explain my extended break and my academic dismissal at my first college years ago. There were many personal reasons as to why my grades from both of the colleges that I’ve attended are basically night and day. I went back to school after I was settled, living in a new area, stable, and did a complete 180 with myself in CC. </p>
<p>But those things in the past are really personal and tough to talk about – even briefly touching on things in my essay was tough. Has anyone else been able to overcome this for the in-person interview? Are they going to want to know the details of what was a very stressful and trying time in my life? (i.e. “Well, not worrying about my husband and parents being physically hurt allowed me to focus on college and excel?”) How personal is too personal with stuff like that when explaining that?</p>
<p>I briefly touched about the issues in my essay but didn’t go into details – partially because I didn’t know what they wanted to hear, and partially because it is tough for me to talk about.</p>
<p>Tips? Advice?</p>
<p>There’s nothing wrong with saying it was personal and painful and instead focusing on the brighter side of your ordeals. They’re going to care a lot more about how well you did in community college and if you’re actually ready for competitive university work. You should emphasize the things that contribute to and prove the existence of the changes which make you able to tackle Columbia’s challenges.</p>
<p>Had my interview yesterday. I think I bombed it! Ugh, I hope I get in.</p>
<p>The adcom person was very nice and even said two positive things about me (That I sounded realistic when I said I would start out at GS by taking 1 or 2 classes and that it sounded like I had overcome issues in the past) but I’m pretty sure I was rambling incoherently and nervous as all hell, especially when talking about gaps in my education and my previously poor academic record. So maybe she just said those things to shut me up.</p>
<p>Ugh :-/ I am nervous as all heck.</p>
<p>Someone? Anyone can empathize?</p>