Interview before application?

<p>We live overseas but will be in the USA end of March of my daughter's Junior year and again in August before applications to college. We were thinking of asking for an interview at one of her safeties in March --partly for practice at interviewing ( we know that they have let others do early interviews there). Then maybe do some in August. Once she is in her final high school year--only US interview time available would be right around week before Christmas. Or we could seek out overseas alum interviews (I do these myself for my colleges). My D is not super self-confident or extrovert but does relate fairly well to adults if she is not too nervous. How should we best handle this?</p>

<p>My sons, also living overseas, did all their interviews during their summer college whirlwind trip. Both were confident about interviewing, but in each case we saved the theoretical first choice for the end-- it just worked out that way. Son #2 will also have one overseas alum interview shortly. In all cases except this one, the interview preceded the application by quite a while. In some cases, the same person who interviewed also happened to visit the school at a later date- but didn't do interviews while here at least...</p>

<p>My daughter (not from overseas) interviewed at one school during our junior year Spring Break college in April. The school was 500 miles from our home, and was the most distant of the schools we visited. They were glad to arrange an interview, as they understood that it would be difficult for her to return later. This school turned out to be the one she liked most - she applied ED and was accepted. So it actually turned out to be her ONLY interview. Good luck to your daughter in her college search.</p>

<p>Thanks for your advice--did your kids send any materials in advance of interviews--transcripts, test scores or anything?</p>

<p>My daughter did not send anything. I asked when I made the interview appointment on the phone if she should bring an activity sheet or anything and the person said it didn't matter - it would just go in her file for when she applied and she would probably have a more updated one at that time. But for other colleges the policy might differ. I told her to bring the activity summary sheet she had prepared to the interview in a folder because I thought the interviewer might look at it and ask her about some of the activities mentioned - to get the conversation going, so to speak. However, my daughter never ended up giving it to the interviewer because she wasn't asked for it,r and came back still holding it. I advise scheduling the interview after the tour, not before. Your daughter will be more keyed into the college and will probably have many more relevant questions after the tour/info session</p>