Interviews

<p>Anyone have an interview yet? What all do they ask you? and How should I prepare myself if any preparation is needed at all?
I'm kinda nervous about this.</p>

<p>don't be nervous; it's REALLY straightforward. They ask you to elaborate on your activities, why you like Chicago...some other basic questions</p>

<p>son's U of C interviewer last year asked him whether he'd ever been so cold his teeth hurt! (he said no, and still got in)</p>

<p>don't worry about it. use it as a chance to ask questions about your interviewer's Chicago experience and to get across anything you want them particularly to know about you.</p>

<p>I have one friend, who is at Chicago now, who had a bizarre interview, which I've heard a lot of people have had. Questions like, "if you were a musical instrument, which would you be?" etc. I, however, had a wonderful interview with an admissions officer who really let me speak and then asked interesting questions based on what I said. It was a great conversation, fun and relaxed. And I'm convinced it was one of the principle things that got me accepted. So don't be nervous, dress nicely, and be yourself. Those are the most important things.</p>

<p>Mine was pretty standard. They asked me a bunch of questions to make sure I had done my research as to Chicago specifics, they also forced me to tell them where else I was applying through some creative tactics, however, they matched up to Chicago in terms of what I said I wanted to do so I think this helps. He basically let me talk and I basically told them what they wanted and it worked out all swell and stuff. I also brought my Rubik's cube and solved it in front of the interviewer quite quickly. They mentioned it on my Christmas card.</p>

<p>my interview was really hard but interesting..i mentioned that i was interested in politics and international relations and my interviewer asked what my definition of world peace was. then he asked what 3 things would be on my platform if i ran for president in 2008. THEN he asked me about prescription drugs for seniors from canada...et cetera. it was intense.</p>

<p>bubbloy_two, that's awesome that you brought a Rubik's cube to your interview! Takes some courage too. Are you going?</p>

<p>My interview was completely normal. My interviewer was basically the kind of person I expected coming from Chicago. We mostly talked about our mutual love of the school and he asked pretty much the "standard" interview questions. I guess it all depends on who interviews you.</p>

<p>Once you know how to solve a Rubiks cube it's easy to do over and over. That's a funny think to think of!</p>

<p>Well you never rly know... there are 1000's of algorithms to develop to get faster.</p>

<p>and to Sarahbara, I think I'm going but I got stuck up on finaid so if MIT or Duke give money it will be a tough decision...</p>

<p>how long did it take chicago/the alumni association to contact you for the interview after you submitted the app?</p>

<p>I wish you lots of luck, bubblboy_two. I look around this entire cc chicago board, and I just feel so lucky to have the opportunity to study and live with y'all, so I really hope it all works out for you.</p>

<p>oh, I got in if that's what the luck is for, thanks though.</p>

<p>Just out of curiousity, how much would you guys say that the interviews influenced their decision to admit you? Did all of you guys who got admitted have relatively smooth interviews (and conversely, how did anybody who got rejected have their interview go)?</p>

<p>i had a great interview with an admissions officer on campus in october. i dont think it by itself got me accepted, but I got the feeling that my interviewer took it very seriously. we had a nice conversation revolving around about 10 questions that he put to me throughout the thing. in the end he surmised that he thought id do well there, gave me some tips about keeping my grades up and essay writing, and said that i looked like a very strong candidate overall.</p>

<p>i doubt that if you have an alumni interview it will be very influential since they obviously dont have the clout in the admin office that the officers have. one thing that i would advise: be yourself in the interview. seriously, dont try to be a good interviewee, dont try to impress the interviewer etc. because if they reflect my expectation of chicago, they want to know what makes you tick whether its superficial or profound, just have some firm mindset in mind and defend your way of life. blah blah blah. good luck.</p>

<p>I agree a hundred percent with qwert271. And I second the importance of an on campus interview. I think my package as a whole was strong, but I think the thing that sealed my acceptance was my interview, in which I was, as qwert mentioned one should be, entirely myself. The more expressive and natural you are, the more they'll be able to cull from the interview.</p>

<p>I think that my (on campus) interview was pretty important. It was amazing- it went on for over an hour, and my interviewer and I just clicked. We barely talked about school, but we talked about everything else, from great museams in NYC to the weird social boundaries of high schools to the way we both hate when people say that they "summer" places (for example: "I summer in East Hampton.") I stayed in touch with her afterwards and she was actually a huge factor in making Chicago my top choice.</p>

<p>GOOD LUCK</p>