<p>Hello, I am going to have my first interview in two days at WUSTL, and I was wondering if anybody had any tips or ideas on what kind of questions are generally asked at these types of interviews, or better yet, at the WUSTL interview specifically....thanks</p>
<p>Also, obviously this early on they do not have my application or any of my information...am I expected to provide them with all this before the interview?</p>
<p>Probably not. The interview isn't a review of what's in your application file. It's most likely a "get to know you" and pretty subjective affair. If I were the interviewer, I'd like to know what you know about WU and why you've considered applying. I'd like to get a feel for how inquisitive you are, how socially confident you are, if you can speak about your stated desires logically and coherently. I'd be listening to the questions that you'll ask -- are they easy items that are found in WU's publications or websites or do they show a person who is really trying to find out if WU will fit them and be able to really win them over.</p>
<p>HTH</p>
<p>please, it is very soon and I am pretty nervous....are shorts okay to wear?</p>
<p>wear a suit, or the feminine equivalent</p>
<p>Do not wear shorts under any circumstances. My S wore casual pants and casual shirts at all of his college interviews. Also, he did not wear sneakers but instead wore loafers. In fact, he was better dressed than most. Although a very few will wear suits, most people will not, and I have seen many applicants waiting to be interviewed.</p>
<p>Do be prepared to state specifically what it is about Wash. U. that makes you want to attend. You can gather that info from researching their website.
Also, be sure to ask questions of the interviewer. It's important that you make it a two-way conversation. Check the websites of Bates, Colgate, Connecticut College, and Skidmore. To the best of my memory, some or all of those colleges have interview tips.</p>
<p>Wear a suit</p>
<p>No, no, a suit is NOT necessary. In fact, it will make you look like you're trying to hard. My son will be a freshman at Rice this year. I accompanied him to many schools the past 2 years around the country to interview, and he got into 8 of the 11 schools he applied to, including Wash U, Johns Hopkins and Cornell. He wore khaki pants and a button-down shirt or polo shirt to interview.</p>
<p>I am also an alumni interviewer for Carnegie Mellon. This is the type of dress I find appropriate as well. And for girls, something similarly presentable, such as a skirt and blouse. Suits would look odd, and shorts would look like you just don't care. </p>
<p>Keep in mind that when you interview this is their opportunity to get to know you beyond what will be in your application. Try to be as relaxed as possible. It's really just a conversation. Many times on-campus interviews will be with current students, and not even admissions officers. You will be asked questions about you -- how are you spending your summer, what's your favorite subject in school, how do you like to spend your free time, tell me about your school, what are you looking for in a college, what are you trying to get out of college that you haven't gotten out of high school, etc. This is your opportunity for them to see who you are -- don't answer with yes or no answers, explain your answers.</p>
<p>Always have at least 2 questions prepared to ask at the end. I promise you that whenever you interview anywhere, the interviewer will ask you if you have any questions. The questions should be something that you CANNOT find out from their websites, such as how many students are there or do you have an engineering department. This looks like you didn't do YOUR homework. Ask them questions like what percentage of students participate in study abroad? (or something that interests you). The worst thing you can do is have NO questions. Then it looks like you don't care. Always come prepared for this.</p>
<p>And relax, and be yourself. That's who you want them to get to know. Good luck.</p>
<p>wow thanks for all the great advice</p>
<p>I concur with blackeyedsusan (I interview for my Ivy alma mater). Unless you're interviewing for an MBA pgm, a suit is too much. Definitely not Shorts (unless it's U Hawaii). Khakis, slacks, collared shirt. No sneakers. For guys. Women, its equivalent.</p>
<p>No cologne, either.</p>
<p>don't be nervous :)</p>
<p>okay fine, you don't have to wear a suit. but i was underdressed to my first interview (it was at a law office) and since then i decided it's better to be overdressed than underdressed.</p>
<p>be safe, wear a suit.</p>
<p>If you know where the interview will be, then you should be able to dress appropriately. I remember my first interview was at a hotel so I wore a suit, but then my following three were at diners/cafes so I felt that a level below suits would be more than fine, and so on...</p>
<p>Yeah I'd say it depends on the location. If you're having an interview at a hotel restaurant or somewhere fancy, then you really should dress up. I had eight interviews this year and all of them were at cafes or fast food restaurants (four of them were at McDonald's) so it'd be quite awkward if I wore a suit.</p>
<p>Be polite, don't be late (arrive 5-10 min early), and give firm handshakes - that is a sign of confidence. Speak clearly, expressively, and informatively.</p>
<p>lol at mcdonalds</p>
<p>If you're set to meet at a Starbuck's -- do you stand in the front and
wait for the interviewer? Or, sit down and wait and look around, having ordered first? After the handshake, do you simply follow his lead and order and sit down? Do you go Dutch -- does he pay? Any thoughts would be appreciated.</p>
<p>Many thanks!</p>
<p>Just sit and wait for interviewer. When he comes, get up and shake his hand, then invite him to sit or just sit down. I wouldn't bother ordering a drink.</p>
<p>Ottoline: I wouldn't worry about paying. A senior person (the interviewer in this case) generally will take care of the bill. You don't even have to offer -- just say "thank you". You can, of course, decline the drink altogether -- nothing wrong with that.</p>
<ol>
<li>I strongly agree: don't wear shorts. Khaki pants and collared shirt, no sneakers. A suit will be overkill in most situations, and may make you look strange. For girls, dress demurely. Do not wear extravagant jewelry or large dangly earrings. No flip-flops.<br></li>
<li>Turn off your cell phone before the interview. Do not put it on vibrate. Turn it completely off. If you forget to turn it off and it rings, do not answer it. Do not look at it to see who is calling. Just turn it off. Don't immediately check the phone after the interview.<br></li>
<li> When you meet the interviewer, shake his or her hand and introduce yourself. Give a firm (but not crushing handshake). Say your name clearly.</li>
<li>If the interviewer asks you a question to which you do not know the answer, say so. Don't make something up.</li>
<li>If the interviewer asks you a broad, open-ended question, think about what you are going to say and don't just blurt something out.</li>
<li>Don't be too cocky, but don't make self-deprecating comments either. I.e., don't say, "I was really disappointed that I only got 790 on the Math Level II SAT Subject Test." What if your interviewer got 620?</li>
</ol>
<p>Hunt makes a fantastic point about the handshake. For HS students, handshakes are uncommon. For us in the "real world", it's de rigeur for social interaction. NOTHING is so unappealing as a "dead fish" handshake or the "crushing vice" either. If either of those things happen, my first thought is: "This person doesn't meet many new people and is socially maladroit"</p>