<p>I've been digging around past threads, but the newest ones I could find about on-campus interviews are from 2008, and I'd like to know if anyone has had an interview more recently.</p>
<p>I'm visiting Wash U in two weeks and have an interview. This is my first interview with any college, and I'm pretty nervous. I'm afraid I'll come across as being awkward or weird or uneducated. :/ I'd like to know if the interviews are as casual and conversational as I read they were in 2008, or if it's any different now? Do they ask you anything that's really high-pressure?</p>
<p>And also, I'd like to know roughly how much weight Wash U puts on interviews. I know that a good interview would help you, but is it the end of the world if you have a bad interview? Will it only hurt you slightly or not at all?</p>
<p>I know this isn’t super helpful, but I didn’t even have an interview so I’m assuming very little weight is put on your interview as it is with many top colleges.</p>
<p>Thanks for your reply! Hmmm. When I signed up for the visit, I initially didn’t say that I wanted an interview, but later called them and told them I wanted one. I just don’t know if it’d be weird not to take the opportunity since I’m on campus nearly the entire day. </p>
<p>I’ve heard that Wash U likes a show of interest (I wish there was an essay supplement) and I need all the help I can get. My grades and test scores are great, but I feel like I’m lacking in the extracurriculars/leadership department compared to other kids. On the one hand, I don’t want to hurt my chances by having a bad interview, but I don’t want to seem uninterested, especially since I could use some improvement in some parts of my app. Arghhhh</p>
<p>My sister was an interviewer at Wash U for a couple years (07-09?). They’re really casual, relaxed, and informal. There’s no need to worry at all. Unless you really come off as an arrogant ******bag or you sit there and don’t say anything at all, there’s nothing to worry about – it may not help your chances a lot, but it certainly won’t do any harm.</p>
<p>I had an on campus interview when I was there, but it was during an ArtSci weekend, so my experience was probably a little different than yours. Like marcdvl said, they’re really relaxed and informal. My interviewer and I hung out on like a park bench for about 20 minutes and just talked. There honestly wasn’t even that much about the college that he asked me or why I wanted to go there, mostly stuff about what I like in school, favorite books, etc. It was a really nice conversation :] I kept in touch with my interviewer for a little bit too, and he was a big help when I actually ended up applying ED and had some questions I needed answered. </p>
<p>Best of luck! Don’t worry about it, it’ll be fine :]</p>
<p>I agree with the above posts. The interviews are very casual. Having one does show interest which is why they are good. The interviewer will be very friendly and put you at ease.</p>
<p>As all have said, interviews are really casual, and are possibly important because they show interest, but the content most likely will not affect your admissions decision. </p>
<p>With that said, a friend of mine is an interviewer, and mentioned that he is most impressed when interviewees mention specific details and aspects of WashU that they’re excited about. For example, mentioning a club you want to get involved with, and some events they’ve hosted in previous years that really attract you. Or, specific classes within your intended department that seem really appealing. Good luck!</p>
<p>Thank you guys for replying! You’re awesome.</p>
<p>So, questions they ask you would be pretty informal, like favorite classes, books, hobbies, etc? Anything I should look out for, like questions about my strengths/weaknesses? Thanks again for the replies, they’ve made me feel a bit more at ease. :)</p>
<p>I was asked about hobbies and school clubs during my interview. I don’t remember being asked about strengths and weaknesses, but they did ask what I would personally change if I could do it again. What I remember most is being asked about what I would change at my school, which is a good opportunity to reflect on your interests and how you improved things at your school, etc. Definitely formulate a few specific questions (things you cannot readily look up) about opportunities to get involved, which will show genuine interest in the school, and hopefully they will be genuine questions anyway. The interview didn’t really seem like it helped or hurt anything. As long as you’re personable you’ll be more than fine. Good luck! :D</p>
<p>I just had my interview yesterday, and I’m not exactly sure how it went. My interviewer was the assistant director of admissions, which was a bit nerve-racking since most people had upperclassmen.</p>
<p>She was friendly and easy to talk to since she was pretty young, but I don’t know… I forgot to mention some key “selling points” since she didn’t directly ask, and I had a couple of stumbles/brain freezes (even when asked about my hobbies… don’t judge). It was my first college interview and I was pretty nervous.</p>
<p>Also, she asked me what other colleges I was visiting, which threw me off guard, so I just told her the truth (UChicago and Northwestern in a kind of midwest tour). Should I not have said that? Gah.</p>
<p>I know you guys have said interviews aren’t a make-or-break type of thing, but I’m just a little unsettled. It wasn’t awful (I didn’t trash Wash U, scream, or flail) but it definitely wasn’t stellar either. I just don’t want to hurt my chances. Anyone have any reassurance?</p>
<p>They’ll see it as showing interest. I don’t think it’ll hurt you at all. If it went really bad (which I’m sure it wasn’t), at worst it’ll cancel itself out.</p>
<p>My daughter did an interview this week. Afterwards, she said it was more of an opportunity for her to get more information and ask questions rather than an interview. Her high school college counselor advised her to take advantage of the interview opportunity when she visited. If for no other reason, to show that she is seriously interested in the school.</p>
<p>In my interview I was asked about my favorite classes in school and what I might like to do in the future… We also spent quite a lot of time talking about volunteer work I was passionate about. She also asked me what I most liked about WashU. Overall it was very informal and seemed like a conversation. It was my first interview also, so I completely understand why you are nervous!</p>
<p>Also, I just got home today and received a Wash U postcard from my interviewer saying “it was great to talk to you”, etc. How do I go about replying to it? I was at first going to send her an email (before I saw the postcard) but now I want to do something handwritten. Is sending her a postcard from my city too cheesy? Or should I write a letter?</p>
<p>A well thought out note on stationary or a nice thank-you card would be very appropriate, and would most likely be put in your admission file (which will reflect favorably on you.)</p>
<p>A postcard would probably have a similar effect as long as is was well-written and sincere.</p>
<p>What about a kind of quirky thank you card? Would that be considered unprofessional? I saw cute ones with animals (ex. a squirrel playing a harmonica, saying “a note of thanks” haha) and my friend said that kind of thing would be a nice break from boring, generic thank you notes that they probably get all the time. My interviewer was the assistant director of admissions, but she seemed pretty young, so I don’t think she’d frown upon it… but I’m afraid it’d just seem unprofessional.</p>
My grades and test scores are great, but I feel like I’m lacking in the extracurriculars/leadership department compared to other kids. On the one hand, I don’t want to hurt my chances by having a bad interview, but I don’t want to seem uninterested, especially since I could use some improvement in some parts of my app. Arghhhh</p>