<p>Guys,
I am an interview tomorrow for Columbia College (regular decision). I filed out Part 1 of the application last week. But my teacher's brother (alumni) is the Head of the department of interviews and I am guessing he controls most of the interviews and stuff. So he is going to come tomorrow to my school (my teacher got me the hook-ups:))and interview me and 4 other kids. I have a few questions for anyone who has got an interview with Columbia or an alumni or anyone else who has tips or experience on interviews. Any tips/comments will be much helpful. For the people who have had an interview can you please share your experiences? What are the common questions asked? Can anyone state or list the Dos and Donts during the interview. What should I focus on:my academics, my extracurricular, or other experiences. I am going to bring my resume, should I be prepared to answer questions based on my resume? What are good opening statements/greetings for the interviewer and what are good closings/goodbyes/thank yous for the interviewer. Any tips to calm anxiety. What do I do if I blank out. Good questions to ask the interviewer to show that you are interested in Columbia. What phrases or words should I definitely not use. What is the best answer to the question "why Columbia?" I want to be an engineer and picked the 5 year program. Should I say that I want to experience the college and then move on to the engineering school. Please respond with tips and help a fellow CCer because I would do the same for you. Thanks</p>
<p>I know if you're RD they ask how Columbia compares to other colleges you may be applying to.</p>
<p>the key to getting a good response on these boards is to not ask an excessive amount of questions. when you do, then all you get are platitudes instead of substance. try a search for the 1000s of threads on this topic already. </p>
<p>in general: dress nicely, come prepared, show your interest in columbia, be polite, and be yourself.</p>
<p>I had my interview yesterday, and it went really well, so I'll try to impart any knowledge I gleaned from the experience...</p>
<p>1) Be early.
2) Have a strong handshake ready. Flimsy handshakes make bad first impressions.
3) Smile, and be candid. Don't just awkwardly sit and say "hi there" at first. Encourage conversation by responding to any small talk they make at the beginning. This can also help trick you into not being so nervous when the questions get more direct/personal.
4) Don't try to talk about everything you've ever done. Talk to them about the one or two things that you are truly passionate about -- I talked about writing, you might talk about science, but be ready to talk about why you feel like studying that will be fulfilling to you and why it's important to you. Again, I state, you're not trying to impress them with what the admissions officers are already going to know about you. You're trying to connect with someone on a personal level and make them understand what makes you tick.
5) On that note, do not talk about your standardized test scores. They don't care.
6) Be honest. Do not ******** something up, because they're going to be able to tell that you're lying to look impressive. If you're not sure about a question, admit it in a way that turns the conversation in another direction. For example:</p>
<p>"So, when was a time when a book you read changed the way you thought about the world?"
"I can't really think back to a book I've read that really changed me personally, but I did have a movie/experience/something that really changed me..."</p>
<p>Yes, you didn't necessarily answer the exact question, but as long as you don't stay silent and awkward or lie, and as long as you still make an attempt to answer something to the effect of the question, it's likely they won't really care (or sometimes even notice, if you're confident enough in your delivery).
7) Here are some of what my interviewer called the "boring questions" that he had to ask: Why are you interested in Columbia? What/how do you feel about diversity, and its effect on your life? What is a book that changed the way you thought about the world (as above -- I actually got that question)? What are your strengths and weaknesses?
8) On the strengths and weaknesses question, if you get it, try to give them an honest picture of yourself. Don't talk about academic strengths and weaknesses. Talk about your actual human strengths and weaknesses. I talked about how I was very blunt and honest with people as both a strength and a weakness, and I talked about my dedication to projects. But, I also talked about how I get carried away in my honesty sometimes, I'm a procrastinator, and I have trouble dealing with people. The interviewer will know if you're lying to make yourself look good, so just be honest -- they'll appreciate it and probably note it.
9) Several times you asked what is "the best" answer to so-and-so question. The best answer is an honest answer. If you don't know what you love about Columbia going into the interview... then why are you applying? XD
10) As for openings/closings, just be natural and, if possible, funny. For example, I was meeting my interviewer in a Starbucks, and neither of us had any idea of what the other looked like. I kept sneaking furtive glances at him when he came in, so when he finally said, "Are you...?" I joked about how I felt like I was on a blind date. All you need is a natural segue into pleasant conversation.
11) Bring your resume, but they might not look at it. If they do, and they start asking you about things, try not to just repeat what they can read right off the page itself. Give the personal story -- why you did some club for four years, why some volunteer work really affected you. You're presenting the side of yourself that paper can't represent, so capitalize on the chance and don't regurgitate what you've already given them.
12) When my interviewer asked me if I had any questions, I asked what effect he thought Columbia had had on him. That's just one thing. I will say that it's probably better to at least have one question ready to ask there so that you just don't end the interview with "No.... I'm good. Thanks."
13) Also, on the language... just be professional, but personal. Speak the way you would normally, with as little slang as possible. I slipped and accidentally said "legit" once, as well as "j/k," because that's how I talk, but I didn't think it really mattered.
14) Don't talk to fast, or too loudly. Control your excitement/anxiety.</p>
<p>That's all I can think about right now. I hope this helps. As for anxiety -- just take deep breaths and be confident in your ability to answer the questions. Also keep in mind, that the interview doesn't have a very important impact on your application, so even if you really bomb it, it likely won't change anything.</p>
<p>At least my interviewer asked evil questions, like...</p>
<p>But WHY do you want to study Oceanography (even after I already gave two distinct responses)</p>
<p>Why do you like being creative? How are creative writing and science linked for you?</p>
<p>... Yeah, I don't think I'm getting in. Prepare for stuff like that.</p>
<p>
[quote]
For the people who have had an interview can you please share your experiences? What are the common questions asked? Can anyone state or list the Dos and Donts during the interview. What should I focus on:my academics, my extracurricular, or other experiences.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>All of this has been asked and answered. Do a search.</p>
<p>
[quote]
I am going to bring my resume, should I be prepared to answer questions based on my resume?
[/quote]
</p>
<p>They may or may not look at it. But you should be prepared to talk about everything, including the stuff on your resume, whether or not the guy looks at your resume.</p>
<p>
[quote]
What are good opening statements/greetings for the interviewer and what are good closings/goodbyes/thank yous for the interviewer.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Opening: "Hi Mr. ____, nice to meet you."</p>
<p>Closing: "Mr. ____, thank you for your time. Have a good evening."</p>
<p>
[quote]
Any tips to calm anxiety.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Take a couple deep breaths. It prevents your body's "fight or flight" reaction and adrenaline.</p>
<p>
[quote]
What do I do if I blank out./quote]</p>
<p>It's ok to say you don't know something. </p>
<p>
[quote]
Good questions to ask the interviewer to show that you are interested in Columbia. What phrases or words should I definitely not use. What is the best answer to the question "why Columbia?"
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Do a search.</p>
<p>
[quote]
I want to be an engineer and picked the 5 year program. Should I say that I want to experience the college and then move on to the engineering school.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>You should explain this in the context of why you're interested in Columbia, why you think both programs would be good for you, etc.</p>
<p>hey =]
i just had my interview 2 weekends ago, and i thought it went really well.
of course there were the generic questions like tell me a bit about yourself, difficult event in life, and why columbia and such. but some other questions he asked that i really enjoyed were :</p>
<p>what is your high school like? what would you change about it? how would you go about those changes?
talk about the discrepancies b/w how you view yourself and how your parents view you. same thing with your friends.
talk about your best friends, your similarities and differences =] </p>
<p>hope it helps if its not too late, if not for others =]</p>
<p>good luck guys =]</p>
<p>pkat44 , thanks for the help. If only I had a chance to get CC during school. My interview was at 12:30. Thanks anyway.</p>
<p>aww well i hope it went well =]</p>