<p>How are the interviews? Do they test your knowledge? Or do they try to know more about you and your personality? </p>
<p>If they are going to ask questions about me, then I'm okay with it, but if they were to test my knowledge, I really don't think I'll do so good. What kind of questions will they ask? Thanks for your reply! :)</p>
<p>They just want to know more about your personality and what you like to do. You've proven that you can handle the MIT workload on the application; now it's time to see if you're a "fit".</p>
<p>Don't worry, they're not trying to test you at all. Generally speaking, the interview is to see if you've presented yourself honestly and if you're sincere about MIT, etc. If you said you were black and you're obviously Asian, if you say you're a prodigy bodybuilder or some such and you're small and skinny, if you don't even know enough about your main EC to talk comfortably about it, etc, the interview will probably catch you on it. Also, the interview has the potential to be harmful if you come across as being attracted to MIT for prestige but otherwise not being a very good fit for the school. </p>
<p>Aside from those situatons (application dishonesty or prestige-hunting), the interviewer is trying to find things about you to help you get in. They want to have something to tell the adcom they might otherwise not know beyond "he seemed nice and intelligent". So take advantage of the interview... what isn't there a place for on the application? Just be passionate about something. :)</p>
<p>Interview is also a great opportunity to get more information about MIT.</p>
<p>My interview was a great experience. It seems like it varies slightly across the board depending on who your Education Counselor is, but it's mostly centered around a sheet that they fill out about you. There's certain questions that they want answers for, and the rest is just decent, congenial conversation about yourself and what makes you the person you are.</p>
<p>Just be yourself, and don't freak out. I ended up talking for a little over an hour and a half with a doctor at her home, with one of her dogs in my lap for most of the time. :)</p>
<p>-Jared</p>
<p>I wonder whether the interviews are always conducted in English?</p>
<p>vu<em>preuss</em>06: So, they only ask questions about you? Can you give some examples of the questions?</p>
<p>kcastelle: I believe I am sincere to MIT, but when you say "if you don't even know enough about your main EC to talk comfortably about it," are you talking about not knowing enough about MIT, about your EC, or about general stuff like how the scoring works in tennis? </p>
<p>Do you have be a person who knows a lot of things happening around the world? That's what I'm worried about. I mean, I think I can keep a decent conversation between the EC and me, but what if he starts a topic and I have nothing to say back?</p>
<p>sadoian: Thank you. Did you still get accepted since you weren't exactly talking to your EC? Did you meet her at her house? Where will be the interviews be? In a building? Or their house?</p>
<p>OySo: I think they are always in English, but then again, I never had a interview as you can tell already. I mean, I would think the interview will be in English regardless of the location because if you do get accepted, wouldn't you have to speak English in MIT?</p>
<p>it really depends on the person, but for my interviewer, she asked some tough questions on politics, ethics, and morality... good to read the newspaper carefully a few weeks before ur interview - it may come in real handy. </p>
<p>but in retrospect, the harder the interview questions were, the greater opportunity to shine urself. =D too chill can go nowhere.</p>
<p>also, i talked a lot about myself, and any extensive "knowledge" isn't really necessary - it seems more like how u would act in certain situations that reflect ur own character. For example: "what three things would u bring when ur going to antarctica?" "If you were a such-and-such nation leader with such-and-such situation, what would u do?") hope that helps.</p>
<p>What I meant by the bit about not being able to talk about your ECs was that some people write down like 20 activities on their applications, and really they are barely able to pay much attention to any given one. So take your tennis example. If you say that tennis is your main passion in life, obviously not knowing how to score would raise a few questions(!), but say your interviewer responds with "oh interesting, do you have a favorite professional player?" or "what do you think playing tennis has taught you?" - you need to be able to field these questions. Don't just SAY you're passionate. Show it!</p>
<p>About the happenings in the world. My MIT interviewer was the nicest person and didn't try to test or catch me on anything, but my Harvard interviewer nailed me on something horribly random like the inner political workings of Cleveland. I actually live in a distant little suburb of Cleveland, and the only part of its politics that I follow at all are its environmental policies! He actually seemed a bit on the hostile side... not a pleasant interview at all. I can't promise it won't happen, but most interviewers are pretty reasonable. </p>
<p>They always say MIT's admissions are quite down-to-earth and accessible, and I think it shows here. I noticed that almost nobody I talked to had an interviewer of the opposite gender or vastly different interests. I suspect they try to match so that you have something to talk about - a sport, an interest, an experience, etc. You'll see once it's over that you worried way too much! Good luck (especially if you apply to Harvard too - I hope you get a different interviewer than I did!) :)</p>
<p>any general timeframe when they tell you where ur EC is and info, etc? and also, just curious, as im going to have to go thru it at some point, where do these meetings typically occur, a house? a hotel meeting room? a coffee place? i dont know, im a piddly to-be-senior...</p>
<p>You email your EC once they post it online (it's with the application, I believe), and then you arrange something. I've heard of people having interviews at coffee shops (rather common), the interviewer's home or apartment, and the single strangest of all, the kid's own house. So... any/all of the above!</p>
<p>kcastelle, I'm a male and my interviewer was a female...</p>
<p>Visali, the doctor was an EC. Being an education counselor is just a side thing to their normal lives (afaik). I met at her home, and had congenial conversation. She asked a bit about me, talked a bit about herself and her time at MIT. Also looked into what other colleges I was looking at and gave her opinions on them (she went to a prep school in her high school years, and many of her friends went off to the various institutions I was applying to). Either way, it worked out, and I was accepted EA. I've heard that they don't make this thing a very major part of the application process, but I suppose if it's a close match between two applicants with limited space available, the interview evaluation form could make a difference.</p>
<p>As far as questions are concerned, she did ask me some questions that seemed like they were pulled directly off the sheet (like roughly paraphrased: "you and this other guy have the exact same application submitted, with the same grades, extracurriculars, and what not, with only one spot in the admit pool left. Why should you be admitted and not this other guy?") Otherwise, questions kind of flow as you progress through the conversation. For me, she started off with a couple of my extracurriculars, and that kinda sparked a discussion that led, one after another, all my other interests and passions. If your interview is at all similar, you'll find yourself talking about the things you are most interested in, so that can be a showing factor to your interviewer.</p>
<p>If the interviewer throws you a curve with a subject you know nothing about, don't try and BS your way out of it. Just honestly admit that you aren't really up to speed on the topic, and perhaps offer an alternative.</p>
<p>Good luck with the interview!</p>
<p>-Jared</p>
<p>She started off by saying... alright there's some questions that I'm required to ask you like "What do you do for fun? What do you like about MIT?" I really only remember those two questions because after a couple of questions it became a great conversation about random things like music, friends, and other things unrelated to school.</p>
<p>My interview was pretty awesome. Then again, we had a lot to relate to. We were both twins, entrepreneurs, I was interested in course 6 and that's what he majored in... we had a very nice, lengthy, conversation.</p>
<p>All in all, my best advice is to act natural and schedule early. Say what's on your mind, and have fun with it. :)</p>
<p>Getalife1234: Thanks for the tip and the sample questions. I think I can show myself more when they ask me subjective questions. I'll start to read the newspaper and to listen to the news. Thanks again. :)</p>
<p>kcastelle: I understand what you mean now. Just be truthful throughtout the whole admission process, and that will keep away from trouble, right? :) I really hope MIT doesn't have an interviewer like Harvard. I do have the tendency to worry a lot, but I think a reason to be worried. But doesn't everyone go through this process when they are all afraid to get rejected by their dream college? Thank you so much. :D Also, thanks for answering the question about where interviews take place.</p>
<p>Sadoian: Thanks for the example questions. I'm glad that the EC asks questions that the applicant can reply to. Also, because of your example, I've been wondering why MIT should choose me. I'm not a super genius who has done research or got a 2400 on the SAT or 5 on all AP Tests or anything. I'm just a 16-year old applicant from a little town. Thanks. Because of you, I want to make sure that MIT has a reason to choose me over the super genius.</p>
<p>Vu<em>Preuss</em>06: Thanks for more example questions. :)</p>
<p>Olo: Thanks for the tip. :)</p>
<p>Everyone: Thanks for all your help. I'm starting to think that the interview might not be all that bad. Thanks again! If you have any more advice or anything, please don't hesitate to post a reply. :D</p>
<p>Oh, totally. The interview is your chance to show MIT you're really a likable guy! :). And if it feels more like an IQ test than an actual interview, write in admissions and let them know.</p>
<p>Olo: Won't everyone try to be a likeable guy/girl? I mean, during the whole interview, I'm sure applicants will want to be their best, nicest, smartest self they could be, right? So how would they choose? I know that when I go for an interview for anything, I want to be my best. I won't lie or anything, but still, I will be my best. When you're your best, wouldn't the EC like you? So, then...what happens when the EC likes everyone? MIT is not going to admit everyone. What happens then? Is this when they consider your SATs and etc.? </p>
<p>I'm sorry. I'm just really scared and nervous. I'm not exactly the smartest person, but I know I can word hard. Because of that, I want to apply to MIT. I think this thread is drifting into how MIT selects people. Sorry.</p>
<p>u should note that the interview by itself isn't gonna get u accepted/rejected. Furthermore, i think MIT adcoms said that it was more of a "confirmation" of their decision, rather than a crucial factor. i've heard fellow acceptees in my year say they their interview didn't go so well, but got accepted nonetheless. Really, I jus enjoyed sharing my life/interests/passion during my interview. Jus have the confidence and be urself - if ur insecure and scared, it won't help. ;P </p>
<p>I think it's wiser to do some soul-searching of yourself to later help write ur essays - those matter much more!</p>
<p>Getalife1234: I'm starting to think I do need to do some soul-searching. Thanks for the advice. I'm glad interviews don't exactly control your admission. Of course, I know that MIT looks at everything as a whole. Sometimes, it's just so hard to be positive when you think of the other applicants. Thanks again. :)</p>