<p>Does anybody know how important the interview is? (as in the optional ones, the ones where the adcoms come from place to place). I'm not really sure how I did, because I think that I came off as extremely modest, which I've read is bad. Plus, I read that the surest way to kill your chances in admissions = a bad interview with the (assistant) dean of admissions. Olin is my top choice by a mile (and I did tell the admissions person that). Thanks.</p>
<p>When my daughter interviewed, three years ago, the local interview w/ an admissions officer was very low key, and probably non-evaluative. </p>
<p>Interviews, etc, at Candidates Weekend are the decisive ones.</p>
<p>Im not sure if my highschool visit turned into an interveiw since I was the only person who showed for the infromation session. But if it was. it wasnt anything to be worried about. All our admissions people are amazing, none of them bite. I know of one who has a nerdy side. (she really wanted to go see the star wars musical with us, but couldnt. )
Canidate's weekend is the interveiw which is the one that counts.</p>
<p>As the parent of a current Olin student, I thought I might be able to provide some insights as to what it seems Olin is looking for in their students. The candidate's weekend interviews and group discussions are the ones that carry the most weight for admissions. If this year's candidate's weekends are like last years, you will be put into a team of five candidates and will be given a design project that you will complete in a limited amount of time. This project seems to be more of an ice breaker, than an evaluative process. Later during the weekend your group will participate in a group discussion. The people evaluating you in this setting will look for your ability participate (be confident!) and your ability to work with a team. There will be three people evaluating you (a professor, a student, and a staff member). They will all take notes about your performance. Relax!!! It is pretty low key. Then you will have a scheduled appointment where you will be interviewed by yourself. The best advice I can give you is be confident, show how creative you are, and show that you can work in a team environment. As far as your application goes... emphasize your passions (any passions including drama, music, art, athletics, writing...), talk about unique life experiences you have had especially travel and living abroad. Olin wants to see that you are multidimensional. They are not looking at your math and science accomplishments only. All of the students at Olin excel in these areas. Show them your creative side. Talk about teams that you have worked on, and how you contributed. Olin is open to receiving supplements to your application. If you have an art project you have worked on, creative writing, dance project etc. that you are proud of, send them pictures, writing, video clips... I hope this helps to give you an idea of what to expect. I'll be happy to answer any questions you might have.</p>
<p>Conundrum's post seems on the money, but for what it is worth, we were told much the same thing during our Olin visit by the admissions people: the "real interview" is the candidate's weekend, and it is very low-key. If I recall correctly, it is meant to establish "fit" of the students to the school, rather than to test genius. Apparently the applicant pool is very self-selecting to begin with, sort of like Cal Tech.</p>
<p>Apparently the applicant pool is very self-selecting to begin with, sort of like Cal Tech.""</p>
<p>I'd agree. Olin is looking for risk takers, and students who are very articulate, and work well in groups. Students who seek a school with a strong tradition and much prestige aren't usually risk takers. From students I've seen there, Olin also seems to have a significant number of students who are either immigrants to this country, or first-generation kids. If your family made the jump from Poland or Ukraine or Korea or England to the US, you may be more open to new ideas, and less tied to US universities' traditions.</p>
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Apparently the applicant pool is very self-selecting to begin with, sort of like Cal Tech
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<p>I'd agree, but I think our applicant pool is sometimes a bit too self-selecting. I often hear kids talking on these boards about wanting to apply but deciding not to because the GC told them they didn't have a chance. I hate hearing those stories because it makes me think that we might be missing out on some great kids as a result.</p>
<p>Okay,
So the general conclusion is that this interview has not a large effect? That is good, because although I thought that it was bad before, if being articulate is very important, my nervousness killed that in the interview too. Thanks for all of the replies.</p>
<p>Sorry we got a bit off topic. </p>
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So the general conclusion is that this interview has not a large effect?
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<p>Yes.</p>