How can you make a big impression in your apps or interview?

<p>What should you talk about or write about?? Thanks. :-)</p>

<p>Relax, and be yourself. Really. Because, if you try to fake enthusiasm about something someone else thinks an admissions officer would find interesting, you might end up at the wrong school. Or, you'd sound like a pale imitation of an applicant. Real enthusiasm can't be faked, so talk and write about something which interests you.</p>

<p>I agree with periwinkle, tell them about what your passionate about. What matters to YOU. what makes YOU an individual, and why you think uoi fit there, in that school over all the others.</p>

<p>I agree too. You don't want to be too energetic like you've taken 5 red bulls, but you don't want to be a slouch. Just be prepared and act calm. Also make sure you ask a lot of questions. I honestly think I got into one of my schools just based on asking a ton of questions. Just make sure they're relevant.</p>

<p>I was told you want interviews to start like Q and A and end as a conversatin between you and the representative.</p>

<p>be an individual.</p>

<p>don't stress out, and you'll do fine</p>

<p>Emphasize the things you care most about and that make you stand out. Everyone will tell you that, and it's because it's TRUE. I swear it is. Everyone I know got in because they has something very unique that they cared about a great deal.</p>

<p>what sort of questions should you ask?
it's my total dream to get into exeter...
what are some of the questions I should ask about?</p>

<p>Know the school and ask questions specific to your interest in that school. Nothing impresses an interviewer more than a question along the lines of, "I am very interested in chemistry and read about Mr. Teacher's class. Is that a class I can take as a sophomore?"</p>

<p>As others have said, passion is the most important part of an essay. Several years ago I read honors essays for one of the Ivies. Many students had tear-jerking stories about divorce and death. This will sound callous, but they all started to blend together. The essay that most impressed me was from a student who was interested in clothing design and had managed to put together a summer internship (before everyone was doing it) to pursue that interest. Her passion was clear and you could see that this was someone who knew what she wanted and had a plan to get it. It doesn't have to be earth-changing -- a witty essay on your efforts to attract 1,000 Facebook friends will be more impressive than a fake claim to want to change the world by bringing clean drinking water to the Sahara.</p>

<p>Reminds me of a Miss America pageant I remember watching with my family when I was about ten or so. They always asked the finalists something along the lines of "If you could change anything, or if you could have one wish, what would it be?" Over 90% of the time, the girl would give a brilliant smile and talk about wanting world peace or an end to hunger or something similarly "profound." One year, and I remember because she had short hair like I did, the finalist giggled and said, "Oh gee! There're so many things I want!" She won. I cheered.</p>

<p>Ok... Would mentioning a school related passion be ok? I really love math... I mean when people ask why I take excess math classes I or ask my why i am here i always say I ACTUALLY ENJOY THIS CLASS.</p>

<p>Should I mention that my passion this year started with taking AP stats and since the class was a senior class the level of dedication and seriousness? I'm trying to hint on the fact that I had to work my rump off and be pretty confident and straight forward with the whole "I can do this, put me in the class" thing. I have real passion about it and my Dad told me this is my strongest point.</p>

<p>neatoburrito- Miss So. Carolina wanted maps...for all U.S. Americans...</p>

<p>Italian - your love of math impresses me, but I'm wondering if it couldn't backfire on you if it seems that it's all you're interested in. I'm not saying that it is! I'm just saying that while you definately should stress how much you love math and how you're willing to take the responsibility for taking challenging classes, you should also let it be known that you are interested in other things as well. They asked my son what his favorite subject is and I think that's pretty standard. I think the school he's applying to discourages specialization (which is good, because he is very much a generalist). It's funny - regarding math - my son told me, almost apologetically, "I even find math interesting - marginally." So everyone is different and your schools will likely find your passion for math just as worthy as another's passion for history, Latin or literature. It takes all kinds to build a class. So this is my very long-winded way of saying.....math is a wonderful passion and I would definately play it up, but make sure they know that you are multi-faceted. Something like, "I enjoy all my classes, but I really love..."</p>

<p>So, when you go in for interviews it's 100% ok to bring a notebook full of questions and a pen to right down the answers right?</p>

<p>i would say the admissions would be very amused</p>

<p>but other than that, uh, i dunno. as long as you don't write something offending, i guess. :)</p>

<p>I personally have to have my thoughts very organized and worked out. It's better if I can see them written or I forget. That's why I asked. :) </p>

<p>I have to mentally go through lists in my head when I haven't written one. My eyes will scroll downward as if I was reading a list on paper, instead of just in my head. I even have to use my hand to make the bullet points. It's how I work things out I guess. :)</p>

<p>Be yourself</p>

<p>Ditto ditto ditto.
Admissions folks are pretty good at their jobs. They interview a LOT of students. They can tell when you are sincere and being yourself and when you are faking it/trying to be someone you are not.<br>
You don't need to know the answer to everything, you don't need have been the perfect student (they'll see right through that anyway).</p>

<p>Any tips for essays?</p>