<p>guyz,
anyone's been for the harvard interview? got mine next week.. dunno if i shud be preparin'..anywayz wud really appreciate if you could tell me what sorta questions I shud expect... btw I am an international applicant and am applyin for eco but don't have any background on Economics.. plz advice!</p>
<p>Well, you should probably prepared for general questions, like why you would like to attend Harvard, what makes you different, and why you are choosing the major that you have chosen. However, just be yourself in the interview. Don't try too hard, and don't make yourself seem desperate. Many students do this, and the interviewer can tell.</p>
<p>My interviewer asked me what I expected Harvard to be like, why I wanted to go there, and what I thought was my strongest character trait. We also talked a lot about my activities, programs I've attended, and academic interests. It was pretty informal, it was at his house. We also went off topic sometimes and talked about things going on in our city.</p>
<p>My interview's comin' up too. This may sound really shallow, but... what should I wear? Really, I think it's one of the things that has me most worried, because I don't want to look like I'm trying too hard and faking it, but if I dress the way I normally do (sandals, jeans, tshirts/vintage blouses, random knitted purses) I'm afraid I'll come off as a lightweight. Do black slacks and a nice blouse work?</p>
<p>I wore black dress pants and a nice sweater. It seemed pretty appropriate. My interviewer wore a shirt and tie with a sweater vest over it. Just make sure you look nice, but not like you are trying too hard. A think black slacks and a nice blouse will be just fine.</p>
<p>hey flipchick,
wut was ur answer to wut u expect of Harvard.. i can't think of anything solid. plz help!</p>
<p>are harvard interviews selective? wonder why i didn't get one....</p>
<p>i wudn't think so... seems like u're in South Korea..if they had found someone to take ur interview there then i guess they would have...thats what i think anyway... so no worries!!</p>
<p>hey jwlee8, where in korea do you go to school? i'm at seoul foreign (sfs)</p>
<p>At my last interview, I was asked
- Why I wanted to attend that school
- To elaborate on my SAT scores
- Why I would be a good candidate for that school
- To give my opinions on current events
- About my class rank
- About my extra-curricular activities</p>
<p>jwlee8,
Harvard interviews are not selective. They try to get everyone an interview unless you live in an area where no alumni lives nearby.</p>
<p>manisan,
That question actually took me a bit by surprise. I told him that I expected there to be a lot of motivated people who would help motivate me. I then expanded on that to talk about how when I am with classes with other people who really care about their education I end up doing better in the class and stuff like that. I said that there would probably be a lot of studying but that I don't think I would mind it too much. I also said that there would be a lot of opportunities for me to pursue my interests. My interviewer went off on a tangent at that point talking about all of the extracurricular activities available at Harvard. He seemed interested in my responses and not critical of them, so it was all right.</p>
<p>As an alum interviewer for a top school (not H), I'll throw in my advice:</p>
<p>I don't care exactly what you wear - honestly, I can barely remember what the girl I interviewed yesterday wore - but it has to look NICE. I will certainly notice if someone chooses to look nice for the interview or if they look sloppy - but, as for sweater v. blouse or slacks v. skirt, not a big deal. Just look recently showered, combed, and wear clean, nice clothes (slacks, skirts, sweaters, blouses all fine), so I know that you care about the time I'm spending. </p>
<p>Related advice is to wear what you are most comfortable in (that looks nice). If you are comfortable, you'll be more relaxed. If you can't walk in heels and can't put on nylons without tearing them, slacks and nice flats are fine!</p>
<p>Generally, the interview is a "beyond the numbers/lists" thing. You list activities on your resume or application, but it's hard to figure out what you do, why you like them, if you want to continue them in college, etc. If you are just doing things because Mom said so, that will come out. OTOH, if you're absolutely in love with the things you do, it's easy to see and will reflect well on you.</p>
<p>Always have a question or two - even if it's about the professors or the food. Feel free to ask us why we interview, what we liked about the school - and even what we didn't like about it! </p>
<p>Go through your app (if you have a copy) once before the interview. Is there anything you want to elaborate on? Anything that you missed or glossed over? Have you won any awards since you sent it in? Tell us, so it can be part of your file. </p>
<p>Show and tell can be cool. If you have a neat report or science project, feel free to bring it in (I'm thinking paper, not the entire display - but a picture would be fine). It'll help us to add a personal dimension to the interview.</p>
<p>Hope that helps.</p>
<p>okay so i had my duke interview yesterday. The girl was asking me about what politcal issues i felt strongly about (I had mentioned that i was a leader in our schools political club) and i said the war in Iraq and gay marriage. both issues i * do * feel strongly about, but i have very 'liberal' views about. she didnt look thrilled w/ my reply and then later she mentioned that her grandparents were missionaries, and she implied that she was conservative. Did i screw myself over? bc once i finished talking about gay marriage- she was like, "im not going to have a political discussion here..." SO i'm just wondering if that would have in any way impacted the interview. apart from that it went well...i mean it wasn't fabulous or horrible, just fine. anywyas any ideas would be appreciated...thanks</p>
<p>If the interviewer has an agenda, it will be spotted by Duke, and she will not be doing any more interviews. If she mentions your views, she will look bad. If she gives you a mediocore review, it won't make any difference. I would send a thank you note for the stimulating interview and be very very gracious. When you get in, and start school, I would find a way to mention your interaction with someone in admissions, because this is not the kind of person they want. She asked the question, disagreed with your views, and was in fact rude. How did it end? Don't lose any sleep over it. Lesson learned, sometimes its best to be a bit obtuse, and learn to read faces and body language better. I too am very political, but I have learned to start my discussions slowly and guage peoples reactions.</p>
<p>Relax, all will be well....</p>
<p>By far the most professional interview I've been in so far. I've interviewed for Dartmouth, Brown, Harvard and I have to say that Harvard's is a horse of a different color. Brown's interviews are so informal because they set you up with former alumnai that essentially are independent to the university. The interview is set up the for basic purpose of your interviewing being able to check off a form that he/she sends to Brown saying that you've been interviewed. Dartmouth's was held at the university but it wasn't a bunch of questioning/interrogating, it was just laid back and smooth. The Harvard interview was intense, it made me nervous. Every question made me feel like I was going to crack, but as I later found out, it was pretty simple. They ask you all the common questions, 1) describe yourself 2)why harvard 3)what area of study 4) why the area of study 5) future aspirations 6)extra currics 7) any additional info there were a few more but those are the biggies...I should mention though, my Harvard interview was the only on campus interview so this may be a little out of proportion</p>
<p>Hmm... my Harvard interview seemed pretty informal. It was more like a conversation, it was pretty fun! He asked me some questions, but we got really off topic after most of them.</p>
<p>I really think there's a difference between an on-campus and an off-campus interview because from what I've read, the interviews are pretty informal. I'm wondering if I should've let them just schedule an interview for me?</p>
<p>my harvard interview was nice and informal. it was really like a friendly chat, i really enjoyed it. we talked about why harvard, some political issues, my ec's, school...
question: should i send a thank you note? the interview was 10 days back, is it too late to do so?</p>
<p>It is never too late to do a courtesy such as sending a thank-you note, something that unfortunately far too few applicants bother to do.</p>
<p>okay ill do that tomorrow then! thanks northstarmom!</p>