<p>Hi. I have scheduled an interview in a couple of weeks. I am looking for some advice for those who have gone through the process. What's it like? What questions do they ask? How should I dress? I want to know everything and anything. Thanks in advance.</p>
<p>i didn't interview and i got in. it's apparently not that important. they'll probably ask you who your favorite high school teacher was and why. what are your strengths and weaknesses as a student. what questions you may have about cmc. just be ready to explain why you would fit at cmc (i.e. what programs/majors you're interested in, small school benefits)</p>
<p>I just had one last thursday. I wore a pink collared shirt and black Basketball shorts. They ask how did you find the school in your college search and selection. They asked about your favorite class and your plans for CMC. It was really informal.</p>
<p>I got in and the interview was actually more challenging than i expected... we talked about india-pakistan issues for a while and my interviewer seemed to hope i already knew how to solve the problems of the world. we did however cover the normal things, like why i chose claremont :) no worries about the process they just want to get to know you it's very relaxed</p>
<p>Okay. thanks for the reponses. Hope that I'll do well.</p>
<p>Interviews aren't worth too much of your stress, but they're not pointless, either. What I've been told is that a poor interview hurts you more than a good one helps you (unless you're a very borderline applicant or have exceptional interviewing skills). The importance probably varies school to school, though.</p>
<p>A quick internet search should give you some tips re: what to wear, what they might ask, and so forth. You don't have to get too dressed up...I always feel bad for the students who have to suffer through an hour long walking tour in a fancy suit and heels just because they have an interview afterwards. Be comfortable, be yourself, but don't look sloppy. I wore khakis and a collared t-shirt to most of my interviews. Common sense will get you everywhere...don't wear a midriff shirt, don't sag your pants to your ankles, don't wear another college's sweatshirt, and so on. Remember that if you're taking a tour, you'll be doing a lot of walking and it'll likely be hot down in Claremont.</p>
<p>As for questions, you might not know exactly what will be asked and that's not a big deal, but give some thought to "good possibilities." Think in advance about WHY you're interested in CMC, what your concerns are (to an extent, the interview does not have to be a one-way street), why CMC is a good fit for you, what your favorite subjects/classes are, what you're most proud of, how your friends would describe you in a few words, what your best qualities are, what your worst qualities are, what your goals are for your senior year...that kind of thing. You don't need rehearsed answers, but you'll feel more prepared and you won't have to sit and think after every question. You may appear more on top of your answers. Be friendly. Be casual and conversational, but remember where you are. </p>
<p>Two last tips:</p>
<p>(1) Know a little bit about the school before your interview so that it's clear you've researched the school and aren't pulling generic answers out to questions like "why do you want to go here." It'll sound good if you're able to cite specific facilities/opportunities/whatever. You don't have to know crazy details and you don't need to go out of your way to recite things, but alongside "I want a small, liberal arts college in California," it can't hurt to add "...and I love that the school focuses so much on ____, which is what I hope to study." It seems obvious, but in my experience, it's not necessarily the norm.</p>
<p>(2) Schedule your interview at a time when you WANT to be chattin' away! If you're taking a 10am tour and you're on vacation from school, sleeping your days away, and at a hotel 45 minutes away, don't schedule a 9am interview! I had a really early interview at one college and I slept in the car until about 5 minutes before it. When I went in, I was so groggy I could hardly put a sentence together. Not. Good.</p>
<p>Don't stress. It's really not a bad process :-)</p>
<p>Thank you Student615. That was super insightful. I Just finished my first year at UCI. Am a transfer applicant. I loved CMC when I took a tour last week and decided to schedule an interview.</p>
<p>Great! Well, as a Scripps student, I love Claremont. I'd definitely encourage you to tour again once classes start up (8/29) and maybe come spend part of a weekend on campus...it's an easy trip from Irvine. Good luck with transfer apps!</p>