Here's how my Yale interview went.

Colleges and Universities A-Z Yale University
1

<p>I turned in my application to Yale last Thursday, received an email from a Yale senior on Sunday, and interviewed today which is Wednesday. The interview as over Skype, and the first thing my interviewer did was outline how the interview would play out. </p>

<p>She introduced a little about herself, then she asked me: what I'm interested in? Why? How did I first become interested in that activity? When I mentioned programming, she shared how she took a computer class and learned a little bit of Python. And then I talked about how learning a little bit of one language is good because basic programming concepts like loops, variables, arrays carry over to other languages. I knew she had a list of questions in case we had nothing to talk about, but otherwise it was just a normal conversation. </p>

<p>There were a few things I was REALLY surprised about:
- She didn't ask me the generic interview questions like Why Yale?, or Why should we choose you?, or What do you do outside of the classroom?
- She was SO friendly. Not that I was expecting the interviewer to be mean or anything, but she was so cool that I felt like I was just talking to a friend. Or imagine talking to your older sister's best friend--it was that informal.
- The fact that I'd get an interview with a current Yale student. I was expecting to interview with an alumna/alumnus who has graduated for several years.</p>

<p>I would say that most of the interview was just me learning what Yale is like, which is why I feel like the goal of the interview wasn't to assess how hardworking/articulate/well-rounded I am, but to give me an opportunity to meet a Yalie and learn about her experiences.</p>

<p>Other stuff:
- I wore in the interview what I wore to school today lol, didn't even try to dress up: a purple hoodie, white scarf, and jeans.
- The interview lasted exactly 1 hour and it could have gone longer if I had asked more questions.
- I said stuff like "It's super chill," "You're going to be real with me right?" and "I feel you." And ya know what? She responded using the same phrases I used. To me, this shows how much she doesn't care whether I speak eloquently or not. </p>

<p>Thus, I suggest that all the seniors applying to Yale to "chillax." ;) You'll do great. </p>

<p>PS: I heard that Yale interviews don't matter that much in the admissions process anyway, so that should take the pressure off your shoulders.</p>

2

<p>Thanks for info! Congrats on having a great interview! </p>

3

<p>Ok. What you described pretty much is normal for the process. I do interviews as an alum. I do not ask, Why Yale or Why Yale should want you, or any other canned questions. You are right, I learn more about the applicant just talking to them. If I have to ask question after question getting short answers in the process, then the interview is not going well for me. As interviewers, we are also ambassadors for Yale, so yes, we are there to answer questions and to be enthusiastic about the school it is obvious we love (since we are volunteering our time to do interviews).</p>

<p>However, remember this is an interview, not a chummy, chummy conversation with a buddy. And while interviews are not required and do not tip the scale for or against an applicant, the advice that “they don’t matter” is not based upon truth. I would take them seriously, but not be too serious.</p>

4

<p>My daughter was invited for an interview. Do you think they offer only to people they are interested in, or everyone from an area who makes application and where there is an alum? Should we feel special at this point?</p>

5

<p>@Wassols, welcome to the forum. Everyone should feel special, but as you will discover as you spend more time here, getting an interview does not mean that the application has achieved any special status. </p>

<p>The interview is nothing to be nervous about, and should be viewed as an opportunity for your child to learn more about Yale in a friendly non-stressful situation, and Yale to get additional “feel” for who your child is. </p>

<p>Good luck to your daughter. </p>

<p>ETA: I would carefully read Tperry1982’s posts (including one right above yours). She does interviews, and searching for her posts on the topic will be informative. </p>

6

<p>Interest has nothing to do with it. To be honest, when I am assigned a applicant, all I get is their name, school, possible major, email address and contact phone numbers. They are not pre-screening them. It solely has to do with how many alumni are in the area to do interviews and whether they cover the areas your kids go to school in. I am assigned a specific area and specific schools. If there are enough alumni in your area to do interviews, chances are you will be contacted.</p>

7

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/yale-university/804985-alumni-campus-interview-faq.html”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/yale-university/804985-alumni-campus-interview-faq.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

8

<p>AdmissionsAddict pretty much said it all. Though I said the same thing in less words :slight_smile: </p>

9

<p>Thanks all. She found it informative!</p>