<p>I just got contacted for an interview and I just have some questions about the interview. How long does an interview last? What should I wear? Is it more a conversation, a chance for the interviewer to ask me questions, a chance for me to ask the interviewer questions, or all of the above? Thanks in advance for all of your help!</p>
<p>Interviews last about 45 minutes, but when I had my Columbia interview, it was in a large office building with dozens of interviewees and a bunch of interviewers. Some lasted thirty minutes or even twenty, others an hour. Longer is usually better, but not always. I wore a dress shirt and khakis (no tie) but that may not help if you're a girl. The dress was business, but one notch down from full suits and dresses (although some people will wear suits and ties, I wouldn't). It starts with questions and can grow into a conversation, but your interviewer will definitely have a list of things that they want to know from you. From my experience, there will usually be a small time at the end of the interview for your questions, but it will mostly be their asking you questions. In my opinion, the more relaxed and casual (without seeming like you don't care) the better.</p>
<p>Where is your interview? Dress according to the location.</p>
<p>Plan for 30-45mins.</p>
<p>It is a conversation that has both you and the interviewer asking questions.</p>
<p>yeah, dress according to the location
my interviewer took me out to dinner, and that lasted a good two hours
i wore a dress shirt (tucked in mind you) and slacks. which is wierd because he came in a polo T-shirt and khakies</p>
<p>i was stressing out on what to wear too, but heres what my friend told me
you can't make columbia like the car, but the best thing you can do is make it as clean as possible</p>
<p>cheers</p>
<p>my interviewer came directly to my school~ i go to a private school, so i just wore my uniform xP </p>
<p>he was GREAT.. and it was my best interview yet.. very encouraging... etc etc.</p>
<p>he'll just jot down things you say.. ask you questions like "why columbia?" and "what do you like to do" and stuff.. and he'll give you time to ask him questions =] hehe</p>
<p>good luck!</p>
<p>Your interviewer took you out to dinner? What type of restaurant are we talking about? That's awfully generous (and crazy in my opinion!). Columbia gives us no "budget" for interview expenses, so he paid for it out of his own pocket.</p>
<p>I met my interviewer at the coffee shop where I work, which was a nice home-field advantage. It was more of a conversation and I felt stupid because I think I dressed up too much. She said she didn't mind, though, because she's had interviews with people who didn't even bother dressing up at all. So I guess the rule of thumb is it's better to be overdressed than underdressed.</p>
<p>it was a meat and potatoes style resurant. Each item on the menu ran about 15 dollars. my interviewee was really nice, and pretty old. Columbia class of 67 he told me...or was it 76.</p>
<p>so... does this mean that I will be contacted for an alumni interview once Columbia has looked over my app.? (if, of course, an interviewer is available in my area) Or should I be calling somewhere to set up an alumni interview? Thanks</p>
<p>you'll be contacted if there are interviewers availble. you may not get one since there are so many applicants.</p>
<p>anyways mine was at a coffee shop, pretty casual. I wore my school grad clothings. the interview lasted about 1.5 hr and it was pretty much a conversation style one. I guess they take notes sometimes since my interview did bring some writting equipments but didn't take any notes during my interview.</p>
<p>it was pretty relaxed and casual, don't stress over it. but do prepare for answering "why columbia" since that was pretty much the topic of my entire interview.</p>
<p>Also! I think I might have mentioned this in a previous thread, but ask if your interviewer has a business card at the end of the interview so you can send them a thank you card for taking the time to interview you. I don't know if it'll help your chances, but I'm sure it'll make them happy.</p>
<p>my interview was really chill. we met at starbucks and talked for about an hour. he had some papers with him that i think had questions that interviewers are supposed to ask, because he shuffled through them saying "oh well thats stupid, you don't to answer that..." the guy was really nice so the interview wasnt stressful at all. i wore black pants, a collared shirt, and a sweater - pretty casual but nice enough.</p>
<p>BUT another girl from my school that also got in had probably the weirdest interview i've ever heard of - they met at a train station (WT F???) and were standing the whole time. and in the middle of her answering a question, they guy would stop her and ask her a random question like "what year was the french and indian war? whats the angle of 2:15 on a clock?" but then again, this was a really weird kid that just graduated, and im sure there arent a lot of people out there like him.</p>
<p>A train station? How awkward.</p>
<p>What year was the french and indian? I don't know, when was it? omg I would have been so embarrassed. The angle of a 2:15 clock? lets see... 22.5 degrees? Jeez that took like almost 2 minutes. That was real mean of the guy. </p>
<p>I didn't have an interview, but a friend of mine did and she said it was a cool conversation. Her suggestion: Have five questions that will take up time. Not mention that show your interest.</p>
<p>wasn't the french and indian war in 1755-1763 or something...</p>
<p>i'm pretty sure, cuz i'm a history buff.</p>
<p>but, that is scary for an interviewer to ask.</p>
<p>well that's a span of 8 years... I know it was 7 b/c it was also called the seven years war and no its not one of those incorrectly named things... I remember it being named correctly.</p>
<p>sorry yea, it's 1756-1763... i can't believe i'm gonna be a math major with those addition skills.</p>
<p>do you have to request one?</p>
<p>no, Columbia gives them out based on availability.</p>