<p>As long as you don't drink from a silver hip flask during the interview, the water thing wouldn't bother me at all.</p>
<p>I have done interviewing and always offer something to drink. If you are not offered a drink and think this will be an issue, just keep the water in your bag and make a brief comment along the lines of what others have suggested, before you reach for the bottle. No interviewer is going to think the worse of you because of this. I'd try to ensure that the water is accessible and that you don't have to go digging in your bag or anything like that, though. </p>
<p>As to the other Q, you can certainly mention the name of the peer institution and a few other comparable places to which you've applied, if asked. Since you are not likely to be asked whether or not you have actually gotten in, I'd personally leave it there - I wouldn't volunteer more than I am asked. It's not likely to make a difference either way, but if there's even a chance of yield concerns with the school and its competitor, my feeling is why even raise the issue?</p>
<p>Sometimes I get a dry throat when nervous. What I've found better than a water bottle (less intrusive) is to have some hard candy or throat lozange right before the interview.</p>
<p>Wow, gotta love CC...people sitting around discussing interview waterbottle hydration etiquette...</p>
<p>My vote is this: How serious is this waterbottle need? If it will make you feel better to bring one and hydrate, DO IT. I do not think it is impolite. If you have one of those cool Nalgene bottles, you could even make a comment about how reusable waterbottles save the earth! (Or not that part...) But the point is, don't stress about the water. If you really think you need it, BRING IT.</p>
<p>Oh, and don't ask if you can take a sip of water. Definitely don't ask. Do it or don't, just don't seem so indecisive and paranoid.</p>
<p>What I had to explain to my DH after the first couple of college trips with my DS is that a college interview isn't like a job interview. It really has very little bearing on admission, but is more of an information session. Most of them were with undergraduates at the school. You'd have to really screw up for it to have a negative impact.</p>
<p>Drink water if you're thirsty. Only mention other schools you've applied/been accepted to if asked. Relax.</p>
<p>But, I think it's good in any stressful (interview, etc.) situation to plan out your strategies (e.g. how to handle dry throat effectively). Sounds like over-planning but it's good prep for future 'evaluation settings' (job interviews, giving speeches, etc.).</p>
<p>My son is a voice major, and he is taught that it is what you drink 8 hours ago that makes a difference.</p>
<p>I would hydrate long before, and make sure you go to the bathroom before the interview. Take a bottle with you. If you start coughing, the interviewer won't mind if you take a sip.</p>
<p>when to take a sip? How about: Listen intently to the question. After the question is done, collect your thoughts while taking a sip. Then answer.</p>
<p>Don't mention the other school unless asked. Always in an interview, they are your #1 choice. If it comes up, make it seem like the other school is your 2nd choice after them: "I was accepted to <college>, but I would prefer <this school=""> because of ..."</this></college></p>
<p>OK, relax. :)</p>
<p>Honestly, the only thing I as an interviewer (for jobs, not colleges, FWIW) would think if you drank water is that you were thirsty. Also there is a chance that the interviewer will say, as you walk back to the office, "Would you like some coffee?" to which you respond, "Some water would be great, thanks."</p>
<p>Anyway, if you have some sort of bag with you, put a new water bottle in it. Try to get through the interview without talking for such extended periods that you dehydrate. You really should be able to do this; now is the time to practice.</p>
<p>If you simply must have water, then I would just behave normally. In other words, you can wait for the interviewer to speak and bend down and get your water. Then nod and maintain eye contact as you twist the top off. Then take a swig. Then nod some more, remaining engaged, as you twist the top back on. </p>
<p>The only way to get in trouble is to take a big ol' sloppy gulp, wipe your mouth with the back of your hand, and then offer the bottle to the interviewer. :)</p>
<p>Me, I stayed away from drinking during interviews to avoid the problem of visible trembling of the hands as the drink made its way to my lips.</p>
<p>This will sound silly, but you may want to have a little coaster with you in your bag. Don't put the water bottle on an interviewer's nice wooden desk, and don't grab paper on his desk to put the water bottle on :-).</p>
<p>Thanks everyone for the replies!</p>
<p>I guess I was treating this like a job interview. I prepare attorneys for interviews all the time and I would advise them not to pull out a water bottle in an interview. I'm pretty sure all my clients would offer water to an interviewee, however, so it would be moot.</p>
<p>I can see where this small concern could really be a challenge. I'd be tempted to hydrate well beforehand -- but then the interviewer has an important phone call and . . . twenty minutes later my interview is starting and my back teeth are floating!</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>