<p>Hi! I'm a rising senior who's really interested in attending the University of Rochester. I got a postcard in the mail suggesting that I come to the campus for an interview. I'm sure there are tons of people who have gone for such interviews.</p>
<p>How formal are they? Is it just a quick chat with an admissions officer? </p>
<p>Any help would be awesome!</p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>coolcamel,</p>
<p>I’m one of the Admissions Counselors at the University of Rochester, and I want to assure you that our interviews are very casual and relaxed. Sure, you might want to wear a polo and some nice pants (for the guys), or a nice outfit (no mini-skirts, etc.) for the girls, but we aren’t expecting you to “dress up”. Also, dress for the weather. Shorts / T-shirts are fine if you expect to walk around campus on a 90 degree day. Be comfortable! </p>
<p>Our interviews last approximately 15 minutes or so, and they really are simple conversations. We like to know why you are interested in Rochester, what you like to study, and what you do for fun. Other questions might come up based on your stated interests. We certainly aren’t going to ask any tricky questions! These interviews are an excellent opportunity for you to learn more about the University of Rochester from someone who represents the school and knows it well. These conversations also help us get to know the person behind the test scores.</p>
<p>Interviews aren’t required by the University of Rochester, but they are highly recommended. </p>
<p>Finally, interviews don’t necessarily have to be done on campus. We host interviewing events around the country (and some international events as well) throughout the fall. A full slate of interviewing events will be available in the “Off Campus Events” section of our webpage by mid-summer: [University</a> of Rochester : College Admissions](<a href=“http://enrollment.rochester.edu/admissions/events/OffEvents/]University”>http://enrollment.rochester.edu/admissions/events/OffEvents/) </p>
<p>You can schedule an on-campus interview & visit here: [url=<a href=“http://enrollment.rochester.edu/admissions/events/OnEvents/]University”>http://enrollment.rochester.edu/admissions/events/OnEvents/]University</a> of Rochester : College Admissions<a href=“Please%20note,%20that%20you’ll%20have%20to%20create%20a%20MyRoc%20account%20before%20signing%20up%20for%20these%20events.”>/url</a></p>
<p>Interviews can be done with local alumni, current Admissions Counselors, or with our trained Senior Interviewers at on-campus or off-campus locations. They all count the same!</p>
<p>I hope that helps,</p>
<p>Tyler</p>
<p>My kid did an interview at a UR event in Boston. They matched her up with an alum who had the same interests.</p>
<p>TSocash- Thank you so much for your advice!! When do you suggest is the best time to come? After i’ve applied to UR or now in the summer? (or does it not really matter…:)</p>
<p>Lergnom- When did your child go for the interview?</p>
<p>You can interview anytime between now and January. However, I would recommend that you should interview BEFORE you submit the application.</p>
<p>Once you submit your application, Admissions Counselors can review your file. If you interview after submitting your application, you run the risk of having an interview that doesn’t factor into the admissions decision. The onus is completely on the student to ensure that your interview is incorporated into all phases of our holistic application review. Sign up sooner rather than later.</p>
<p>Pick a date that works with your family’s schedule. Any date before early December (November for Early Decision students) would work very well.</p>
<p>I see some interviews are scheduled for the Philadelphia area - hope some are added for Pittsburgh! We’ve already visited and toured the campus, it would be nice to have an interview close to home.</p>
<p>I agree with TSocash. My S first had any interview scheduled for Jan but once he decided to apply for early notification, we moved his interview to Dec so it could be part of the evaluation process. My S interviewed at a hotel in Westchester NY BTW.</p>
<p>My guy interviewed with an alumni via phone and ended up with a nice chat lasting a bit more than 15 minutes. It was a little bit strange, but we appreciated not having to have him drive an hour away (to meet with the alumni). We had not yet visited… we actually didn’t get to visit until after he was accepted. Then we visited twice, once with an overnight stay. The overnight stay is what really sold him (comparing it to his other options).</p>
<p>I kind of marvel at all that happened with this son and his college search. As a sophomore (when oldest brother was a senior and applying to colleges), he looked at colleges online and liked URoc - it was his top choice based upon things he wanted in a college. Then oldest went south to school (GA) and often talked about how great the weather was over the winter… Middle son decided to check out colleges from PA → south. He applied to 5 and got accepted to a couple right away (UA and Pitt if anyone cares). He wavered on URoc - on, off, on, off. As Thanksgiving came, it was off. BUT we visited family in Syracuse over Thanksgiving and a couple of relatives were there from the Rochester area. Naturally, they asked him about his college plans… and talked about how UR is a really nice school. So, on the way home from our Thanksgiving, he decided to apply. He got his application in right before the Dec 1st deadline. Somewhere thereafter he got the info for setting up his interview and did that. We visited in Feb, right after he was accepted. It was an easier winter last year, but we were covered in snow when we returned to our car. 
URoc moved up some slots anyway. Merit aid came in, and later, financial aid. His other acceptances came in, but URoc made his top 3. We visited again with an overnight. URoc wins.</p>
<p>Now, if I’d just had him apply back when he was a sophomore and loved the place (deferring his acceptance, of course), think of all the time, effort, and $$ he/we could have saved! ;)</p>
<p>Oldest ended up at his first love school too - though I made him look for others.</p>
<p>Youngest told me (last year - his sophomore year) that his first love is the University of Hawaii (wants tropical botany)… I’m wondering if I should just start checking out their policies…</p>
<p>I had an interview at the University of Rochester last month and it is nothing to worry about! It is just a relaxing talk about yourself and why you are interested in Rochester. The admissions counselors are very friendly and it won’t feel like an interview hardly at all, it will more feel like just a nice chat.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t count on the 15 minute interview, my sons lasted an hour. He and his admissions counselor really clicked. That interview got him really getting why it was such a good fit for him. I just said last night the minute we walked into the admissions office I knew this was his school. He took a little longer to figure it out, but he ended up switching his app to ED.</p>
<p>S also received the postcard for interviews. He has decided that he needs to go even though it will be a few hours drive for the interview. We are to far to visit before an acceptance because of the cost of flying. Should S bring copies of his transcript, test scores, or anything else to the interview? A five hour round trip is a lot for a 15 minute interview but URoc is high on his list.</p>
<p>They never asked for anything like that from me. They aren’t looking for test scores or transcripts because those can be found on the application. During the interview they are looking for personality and character. During my interview we talked extensively about my passion for music and how much it meant to me. We talked about my love for the Chinese culture and language and also my job at a Chinese restaurant. They want to find out more than they could just from your application.</p>
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<p>Remember, there are also options for alumni interviews separately from any group interviews. Then there are phone interviews when even the alumni aren’t close. My guy did a phone interview (I think it lasted closer to the 45 minutes than the 15) and it worked out just fine with acceptance and merit aid. He enjoyed his conversation and kept in touch with the lady after he was accepted and decided to go there.</p>
<p>No test scores or transcripts or other things are needed. As the last poster mentioned, they want to know what your student does outside of the classroom. I should also note this son was homeschooled from 7th - 12th grades in case that matters to anyone out there. We don’t live in a nice ps district academically and I knew my guy was capable of more than they offered.</p>
<p>Here’s the link to off campus events where they will do interviews also, saving you from having to travel to campus for it. I would recommend seeing it though to get a feel for it.</p>
<p>[University</a> of Rochester : College Admissions](<a href=“http://enrollment.rochester.edu/admissions/events/OffEvents/]University”>http://enrollment.rochester.edu/admissions/events/OffEvents/)</p>
<p>Thanks for posting the off-campus link jandjdad! The list of off-campus events will be updated extensively throughout the summer (I haven’t put any of my Interview Events in there yet, so don’t be nervous if you don’t find anything near you yet.)</p>
<p>This off-campus link should be fully updated by the end of August. Remember, you have until January to interview, and you should try to interview before submitting your application. Most interview conversations last 15 minutes, especially if a counselor / alum has multiple interviews that day. Some conversations can last longer than that if the interviewer’s schedule is open.</p>
<p>TSocash, </p>
<p>When do you plan on opening up your interview slots for September?</p>
<p>All Admissions Counselors will be posting their off-campus interview information in August. I am personally not opening up any slots in September because at this time I have no scheduled travel in September. Instead, I will be interviewing students on-campus that month.</p>
<p>To schedule an interview (on- or off-campus), reference the links earlier in the thread.</p>
<p>Sorry, I was talking about on-campus interviews. How about opening up some on-campus interview slots. </p>
<p>Isn’t August a bit late for those of us who want to get good airfare for our visit?</p>
<p>JetBlue and Southwest are both having sales!</p>
<p>ClassicRockerDad,</p>
<p>Any rising high school senior with a MyRoc account can schedule their on-campus interview anytime between today - January. These slots are always open and you can register for on-campus events here: [University</a> of Rochester : College Admissions](<a href=“http://enrollment.rochester.edu/admissions/events/OnEvents/]University”>http://enrollment.rochester.edu/admissions/events/OnEvents/)</p>
<p>Feel free to pick a day that works best for you!</p>
<p>The interview scheduling that I keep referencing above is for off-campus events. These off-campus interviews will be offered around the country during the fall, and the schedule will go live sometime in August. We offer these off-campus interviewing events so students don’t have to travel all the way to Rochester, NY for an interview if they live in San Diego, Austin, Boise, Raleigh, Miami, Seattle, Denver, etc.</p>
<p>I hope that helps.</p>
<p>When the off-campus interviews are finalized in August, you will be able to find events near you here: [University</a> of Rochester : College Admissions](<a href=“http://enrollment.rochester.edu/admissions/events/OffEvents/]University”>http://enrollment.rochester.edu/admissions/events/OffEvents/)</p>
<p>Everyone’s been so comforting about how informal and relaxing these interviews should be…but I still can’t help but be a little freaked out.</p>
<p>Is this interview more like a check mark off that I’ve done it for the admissions people or does the interviewer actually take notes and report back to UR?</p>