<p>so...... I was just wondering, does anyone know how many of the applicants actually get interviews? and how important, really, are interviews--is it better to have none than have a bad one?</p>
<p>I went to a Columbia information session, and the representative guy said they're usually beneficial, as your interviewer will just be another person who can recommend you to the school.</p>
<p>I don't know how many people are given interviews... The rep didn't say.
But he did say that if you're offered one and decline it, Columbia looks unfavorably upon your application.</p>
<p>So if I'm offered one, I'll be hardcore rehearsing my speaking skills in the mirror.</p>
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So if I'm offered one, I'll be hardcore rehearsing my speaking skills in the mirror.
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<p>Columbia is looking for 17 year old kids who are bright and interesting, not well-polished politicians. It's expected that you'll sound like a 17 year old.</p>
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But he did say that if you're offered one and decline it, Columbia looks unfavorably upon your application.
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<p>Almost a sure rejection.</p>
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does anyone know how many of the applicants actually get interviews?
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<p>About 65%. It has nothing to do with merit and everything to do with geography.</p>
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is it better to have none than have a bad one?
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<p>Yes, a bad interview is almost a sure rejection. However, if you turn down an interview, it's also almost a sure rejection.</p>
<p>Columbia is looking for 17 year old kids who are bright and interesting, not well-polished politicians. It's expected that you'll sound like a 17 year old.</p>
<p>Uhh, what's wrong with practicing a bit?
I take public speaking in school, and to prepare for that I usually rehearse in front of a mirror or to a parent, just to make sure I minimize my use of 'umms' and 'uhhs', and to see how I convey what I'm trying to say to someone else.
Obviously you can do this and still come across as interesting and intelligent. (I got all As for my speeches.)
Strange remark...</p>
<p>Oh, and are some areas more likely to be given an interview, ie- NY suburbs?</p>
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Uhh, what's wrong with practicing a bit?
I take public speaking in school, and to prepare for that I usually rehearse in front of a mirror or to a parent, just to make sure I minimize my use of 'umms' and 'uhhs', and to see how I convey what I'm trying to say to someone else.
Obviously you can do this and still come across as interesting and intelligent. (I got all As for my speeches.)
Strange remark...
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</p>
<p>What are you rehearsing, though? You're not giving a speech. You're having a conversation and will called upon to answer spontaneous questions. You can't just memorize a set of scripted blurbs about why you want to go to Columbia. And, a few ummms and uhhs are perfectly fine.</p>
<p>You don't want to appear coached, i.e., that you paid some expensive college prep guru $5000 to make you sound perfect for your interview. I can totally tell if a candidate has been coached, and I'd imagine that any remotely skilled interviewer could do the same. The minute you start asking questions that are random rather than predictable, the script totally falls apart.</p>
<p>In preparing for an interview, there would be much more value to learning as much as you can about Columbia. Also, if you do public speaking, you probably already know how to present yourself in a reasonable manner.</p>
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Oh, and are some areas more likely to be given an interview, ie- NY suburbs?
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<p>I'd have to look up the numbers, but that's tougher since there are so many applicants from there.</p>
<p>Will it look bad if i don't request an interview at all...although i'll probably apply to the fu school.</p>
<p>that helped, thanks for the replies!</p>
<p>the most obvious question that, yes, you can rehearse for because it will come up in some form or another is "Why do you want to go to Columbia?". Simple and fundamental. Other than that, expect things like "What are you interested in?", most meaningful accomplishment, things like that. You don't need to memorize a speech verbatim but it couldn't hurt to have some general idea of what you would say. This will then help you sound more together and not just stammering away with "ums" and such. presentation is always a factor.</p>
<p>You don't need to memorize a speech verbatim but it couldn't hurt to have some general idea of what you would say. This will then help you sound more together and not just stammering away with "ums" and such. presentation is always a factor.</p>
<p>Yeah, ^ is what I meant.
Obviously you can't go into an interview with a set speech, but I'm sure there are certain questions that you should anticipate.</p>
<p>Columbia2002, what does it take to be an interviewer? I'm considering signing up as one after graduation. It would be thrilling to help shape the future student body.</p>
<p>ugh...thinking about my CC interviewer makes me cringe. during the interview i was talking about an article i wrote for my school newspaper, which included a girl who graduated early from a small LAC about an hour away from where we lived. well, the interviewer didn't recognize the name/know where it was (which surprised me because it's pretty well known in the area)...and anyways, for about 5 minutes as I was trying to talk about the article, he kept interrupting me with 'well, wait a minute, where is the school?'...'whats the name of the school?' ...'i dont understand why the hell the school is so important'...' Meanwhile i'm sitting there like 'why won't he just DROP it?! i wasn't even talking about the school, i'm talking about the girl and giving context!'...sigh...needless to say, i was nervous enough and its hard to stay calm and collected when you're nervous and your interviewer is being a jerk</p>
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Columbia2002, what does it take to be an interviewer? I'm considering signing up as one after graduation. It would be thrilling to help shape the future student body.
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<p>Signing up. You're not really shaping the student body too much. The odds are that only 1 or 2 people you interview a year will get in.</p>
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Obviously you can't go into an interview with a set speech, but I'm sure there are certain questions that you should anticipate.
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<p>The important questions are the ones you can't anticipate. Any interviewer will ask you stuff that you couldn't have predicted, so that will throw you off if you're more worried about your umms than the content of what you're saying.</p>
<p>around how many people do you interview a year?</p>
<p>Maybe a half-dozen some years and a dozen in other years. Depends how busy I am and whether I feel like doing a whole bunch.</p>