<p>I have an interview scheduled for 7/25. What kind of questions can I expect? They gave me a list of the top ten most common questions asked during this kind of interview, so I have prepared answers to those questions, but I don't really know what else to expect. How long will it take, and how much of a factor will it be during admissions? I've heard from most people that it makes at best, a marginal difference if any at all. How am I supposed to dress (casual, semi-formal, or professional)? Also, what will I need to bring? I'm bringing a copy of my transcript, my ACT Student Report, and a printed copy of my SAT II subject test scores. </p>
<p>I'm really unprepared for this, haha. My mom signed me up without telling me. So this week, she was like, "Oh by the way, we're dropping by CMU (we're going on vacation this upcoming week) for an interview." I was like, "Oh...okay. Wait, what?!" </p>
<p>Any advice would be great! And if anyone could tell me what kind of questions I should expect, that would be great.</p>
<p>My son didn’t interview at CMU, but I think if you are prepared with the possible questions you’ll be fine. Most interviewers are interested in finding out what you are like, so just be prepared to talk more about what they find interesting as there will likely be follow up questions to the initial questions. My younger son’s best interview did not result in an acceptance, his worst interview did.</p>
<p>As to what to wear generally the advice is business casual. For a guy that would be khaki, button up shirt or polo, no tie. For a woman long pants or a skirt and a not too low-cut blouse would be fine. </p>
<p>Some interviewers will want to see that stuff, others will not want to. They aren’t going to judge you though they might use what you bring as a jumping off point. i.e. “I see you took a lot of art courses, tell me why you like art.” </p>
<p>Nobody feels ready for their first interview, but really you’ll find that they are usually pretty enjoyable experiences.</p>
<p>I did an alumni interview (as well as interviewed for many other schools). My Alumni Interview with CMU was one of the most relaxed. I dressed up anyways and asked where else I was applying to and what I was going to major in. Then I asked some questions and she started talking about her time at CMU and everything she (and I also) experienced.</p>
<p>I imagine it’s much the same as most other college interviews. And yeah, don’t ask obvious questions just to seem interested - ask questions that show you actually are.</p>
<p>Better than bringing a transcript is to bring a “resume”. You can put on HS GPA, standardized test scores, extracurriculars, etc. You can google “college application resume” to find some templates and more info. Make sure to leave at least 1 interesting thing off so if they ask you the dreaded question of “Tell me something that’s not on your resume.”, you have stuff to talk about.</p>
<p>Other than that, CMU interviews are very engaging. I was really nervous and my interviewer put me very much at ease. If you’re a guy, wear a shirt with a collar. A suit is over-doing it (especially if you don’t look comfortable in it), but slacks and a collared shirt go a long way.</p>
<p>Since you’re interviewing on campus, it will be weighted more than an alumni interview. Your interview will be with an actual member of the admissions board who decide on applications. Alumni interviews, on the other hand, are usually taken with a grain of salt or not at all considered in an application. </p>
<p>So, this has the potential to either help your application or break it (if you do something horrendously awful, like showing up drunk). keep that in mind. :p</p>
<p>Make sure you dress nice. I showed up at my tour/info session in a t-shirt and basketball shorts with a nice 7 hour car ride wrinkle to them, and I was getting looks (not nice ones…) from the other prospective students all dolled up preparing for interviews after the tours. I never interviewed, but from what I’ve heard, they are fairly informal and as long as you stay social, you should be fine.</p>