<p>So, I just got my e-mail asking me to set up an interview, and I got really excited, then I started to wonder what it meant. It’s going to be personal (In the interviewer’s office, not by phone) and I just had some questions about it.</p>
<li><p>Does the interview mean that the school genuinely has expressed some interest in you or is it just the fact that I live near a Columbia grad?</p></li>
<li><p>I have heard that it’s a generally a pretty laid-back experience, but what can I expect him to ask/talk about?</p></li>
<li><p>Does each interviewer have his own idea of a dress code or is it standard? What would be appropriate to wear? I guess I kind of had something in mind (school has a dress code and I would just be going after school)</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Thanks for answering these, I just got kind of nervous now.</p>
<p>if you can't be bothered to search, what makes you think people can be bothered to help you?</p>
<p>Because you've already posted in here.</p>
<p>OK, so the title makes me sound like a complete doushe but can anyone actually answer these questions?</p>
<p>There's a half dozen threads on pages 1 & 2 of this forum. Click the mouse a couple of times and read them.</p>
<p>
[quote]
I know that there are tons of interview threads, but I don't feel like searching
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</p>
<p>yes, this will win you favors won't it. i know there are tons of thoughtful comments on this, but i don't feel like thinking.</p>
<p>Well there tons of advice to be given to this inquiry and really a few key ones that would take a lot less words than this useless reply that I'm typing right now, unfortunately the breaking news that this isn't ****ing Yahoo Answers just came through, preventing me from accessing that information. Peculiar.</p>
<p>OK: Generic interview advice:</p>
<ul>
<li>Interview carries very little weight</li>
<li>It is a two-way street -- you are interviewing them for info on the college</li>
<li>Interviewers range from great people who know alot about the campus and college and will be able to really give you a good story, to grumpy farts who know less than you about the school</li>
<li>Interviewers may have fought with their husband, or gotten a flat tire that morning, or had a nasty burrito for lunch. If they are moody or sullen, it is very likely not you.</li>
<li>My sister is interviewing now for college -- she interviewed with one guy who bascially told her why she should go elsewhere. And not like: "You are unqualified" but more like "Let me tell you why XXXXXX university sucks".<br></li>
<li>Act like YOU... that way you get into a college that wants someone like YOU. If you act like something else, you'll get the wrong impressiosn from the interviewer</li>
<li>Interview carries very little weight</li>
<li>Dress casual but smart. </li>
<li>Every interviewer will ask you "Why". If you have no answer to that question, then you show very little initiative.. </li>
<li>Interview carries very little weight</li>
</ul>
<p>Now, use the search bar and you'll get more info than I gave you.</p>
<p>To answer the specific questions:</p>
<ol>
<li>Does the interview mean that the school genuinely has expressed some interest in you or is it just the fact that I live near a Columbia grad?</li>
</ol>
<p>No. More the latter--and alumni choose to interview applicants based on their availability. So, you've got an interview but your friend won't because the alum may not have time, not because your friend has a different likelihood of getting in</p>
<ol>
<li>I have heard that it's a generally a pretty laid-back experience, but what can I expect him to ask/talk about?</li>
</ol>
<p>It should be laid back. Talk about yourself, your accomplishments, what your interests are, what you're looking to get out of college, what excites you about Columbia, NYC, etc. Show maturity, and in general make sure that you come across as an introspective and intelligent human being. When I interview HS students, I like to make sure that they have a wide range of interests--not a singular focus on one field of academia. I look for drive and ambition as well. Academics and standardised test scores don't matter at all. this interview is about you, the person, not the test-taking machine.</p>
<p>It's also an opportunity to learn a lot about columbia. So ask question!!</p>
<ol>
<li>Does each interviewer have his own idea of a dress code or is it standard? What would be appropriate to wear? I guess I kind of had something in mind (school has a dress code and I would just be going after school)</li>
</ol>
<p>Better safe than sorry. you're interviewing in the alum's office--wear business casual--slacks and a button down shirt. if you really feel like it, wear a suit, but it's not necessary</p>
<p>Thank you for the actual answers, cerberus8, and not just criticizing me on the title of a thread.</p>
<p>make sure to contact her if youre admitted. she'll do any and all research for you when you dont feel like studying</p>
<p>
[quote]
- It is a two-way street -- you are interviewing them for info on the college
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Not really. You should already know enough info about Columbia before your interview, and Columbia is looking for people who are very likely to attend if accepted. The interviewer is always carrying the flag for the school and is happy to provide you with their insights and experiences, but don't look at the interview as a chance to evaluate whether Columbia is good enough for you. Show the interviewer why you're good enough for Columbia.</p>
<p>C2002, I think that is great advice. Typically in a job interview or anything to that nature you should interview the interviewer and have them talk as much as possible. However, I don't think that that strategy would work in this admissions process. I know when I gave my interview I made sure to stay as humble as possible and although I engaged the interviewer I didn't want them to ever misunderstand the truth, which was I was DYING to go to Columbia.</p>
<p>"make sure to contact her if youre admitted. she'll do any and all research for you when you dont feel like studying"</p>
<p>Yes, because the OP's were oh-so-hard and time consuming questions to answer.</p>
<p>theyve been answered- numerous times. its like looking on your neighbors test when you have the teachers book open in front of you.</p>
<p>But your neighbor's test is an easier manner of finding the answer as it is directly there while you have to search through the entire teacher's book to get a specific answer.</p>
<p>if you cannot browse the first 3 pages of this forum and clearly see all the interview threads, then you dont belong studying at CU. you have posted 350 times so you obviously enjoy spending your freetime on here....</p>
<p>Right, not belonging in a university because of how I post in a forum...that makes sense.</p>
<p>I can't believe how many posts this worthless thread is getting. If everyone just stops posting then it will eventually go away.</p>
<p>Just hoping this doesn't turn into a huge argument between aCTyankee and OP...</p>