<p>I scheduled an on campus interview for next week and I was just wondering what I should expect. are there any specific questions I should be prepared for. and how i should prepare in general.</p>
<p>I have no idea what kinds of questions you'll be asked. When I was interviewed on campus, I was asked very straightforward questions about school, mostly, but my understanding (from reading other threads from students who have done on-campus interviews) is that some questions could be offbeat.</p>
<p>Prepare to have a good reason for why you are interested in a school like the University of Chicago. Negative bonus points for mentioning our famous undergraduate business or engineering school (we have neither). Do some research on academic programs and activities that you may be interested in doing if you came here.</p>
<p>Relax.</p>
<p>Think about how you might answer questions about a book you recently read or current events. Also think about how you might answer questions about the things you like to do in your free time.</p>
<p>As someone who has interviewed off campus through alumni programs for two schools, and who has traded notes with a member of Chicagos adcom staff (disclaimer on fairness - all of this should be obvious given a little thought, and can be found in generic college guidebooks):</p>
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<li><p>Know the school's UG curriculum well enough. As Unalove noted, don't make a gaff like saying you want to major in something UChicago does not even offer like journalism or public health. This also means understanding what the core covers and what it does not. You are not helping you case if you write off a low high school mark by saying you really don't enjoy studying the fine arts or biology, since you will have to do so again anyhow. I am amazed how many students have no clue that they have to take more than one science (biology and a physical one), or a history course even if they have 5 on the AP US or European exams. Likewise, take a look at your majors requirements. It is not a great idea to talk about studying econ or physics at Chicago if you are weak in math. </p></li>
<li><p>Understand the general stature and culture of the school. The Wikipedia article covers this well enough. For instance, if diversity might be a positive on your application, you don't want to make it seem like Chicago has a lineage of institutional discrimination to make up for that entitles you to a spot (as I once met a prospie that vocally did). On the contrary, it has admitted women and most minorities from the get go. Huge negative for painting Chicago as a solid backup to the Ivies, or for making it seem like its a hidden door into a class of selective schools you generally dont believe you should be attending. Its fine if you are only otherwise applying to say George Washington, Maryland, St. Johns and American, but its better to leave this point out in the event you might be a tenable long shot. You have to at least believe in yourself for us believe in you. </p></li>
<li><p>Dont project ten years into the future. I know you might have a grand plan about where you are going to do your medical residency or what investment banking firm you are going to work for after getting you dual degree from Wharton and SAIS, but it just makes you seem like a complete tool / gunner. Rarely is one ever this on the mark about their future. Best to stop at saying you are pre-med or have an interest in international business. </p></li>
<li><p>Recognize that we are mainly evaluating you on your academic demeanor, not your ECs or affability. This is not true at every school, but at Chicago academics are primary and you dont want to make it seem that your biggest concern is on campus leadership opportunities and the frat / sports scene. These are easy tells you are better suited for other elite schools (Brown, Duke, Penn, Northwestern, etcetera). </p></li>
<li><p>Watch your body language. There are some really weird ducks at Chicago e.g. all fine to wear scotch plaid and suspenders while sporting a seven-inch beard at 18 - but to be perfectly honest we dont want to admit kids who are outwardly neurotic. If you start to bounce around when you get nervous fold your hands or something. And for the love of god, avoid rearranging the fruit bowl in front of you based on color or geometric complementarity you manhandling ruins perfectly good fruit! Intense eye contact with non-existent entities in the room or spontaneously slipping into stereotypical ethnic accents are also not pluses. </p></li>
<li><p>Dont pretend like you are a social insider or are part of the old boys club. If you parents are wealthy, you went to a noted private school, or you already have attended a peer schools pricy summer program for high school students and made good marks, it does not make you suddenly all chummy chummy with an ad com. Trust me, there are no secret lists or late night telephone calls on behalf of the right kind of student." For example, if you played competitive tennis on Marthas Vinyard for the last few summers, best to emphasize the tennis part and not the associated country club cliché.</p></li>
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