<p>Does anyone have any advice on interviews?</p>
<p>Find an adult who knows about interviews and practice, practice, practice.</p>
<p>Then, when you're "live," remember everything you learned from your practice interviews and don't discard those lessons at the first sign that your interviewer might just possibly be your newest, bestest buddy.</p>
<p>But the best way to prepare for them is find an adult and practice and have them coach you and prepare you for them. Reading up on interviewing -- here or in a book you check out at the library -- might help someone who's been through interview experiences. But it will be of little use to a middle- or high-schooler who has little to no reference point to start from.</p>
<p>Relax. I ramble when I'm nervous and I tend to say some stuff that's out of topic. </p>
<p>Emphasize your passions. Talk about what you love most and words will just flow. You won't sound too fake because it's just like telling a story to a friend.</p>
<p>Smile and have fun. No one wants to talk to an anxious, panicked, worried kid.</p>
<p>Hope this helps and good luck!</p>
<p>I didn't practice, truly, and I would actually advise against it, in my case. The one question I prepared for ended came out in a clunky and over-rehearsed manner. Have a rough idea of the responses you'll give to basic questions ("Why do you want to attend XYZ Academy?", "What extra-curriculars do you do/plan to do?", etc.)</p>
<p>As the adult speaks, listen, but also formulate new questions and responses in your head. Limit common words that break up your speech, such as "like", "uh", and "umm", though, obviously, it's very hard to avoid these words entirely. Speak slowly and clearly, and make eye-contact. </p>
<p>Make sure to 'read your interviewer', and play to your audience. Is the man interviewing you a very refined physics teacher, or an energetic young woman? I'm not suggesting you mold your personality to fit the interview, but rather, just know who you can be a bit more natural around, and who would prefer a straight answer. I've had starkly different adults interview me, and in two different formats (one with my parents, one without). Make sure your parents are on the same page as you are, because the adult interviewing you will probably notice any inconsistencies.</p>
<p>Good luck and best wishes!</p>
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<p>Cinnamon</p>
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<p>How'd your Cranbrook interview go? Is it as good as your first one?</p>
<p>If you have limited time, don't read up on interviewing, read up on the school. Be yourself but be a well-informed self who knows why you are applying to that specific school and what its strengths are for you. Have a few questions prepared that require the interviewer to explain why his/her school is a good school for you. For example, "I'm really into theater and want to go to a school that will challenge me to grow to be a better performer. I read that your school has an awesome theater program but will I get many opportunities to perform as a freshman?" This shows knowledge of the school, indicates your interests/strengths/ and puts the interviewer in the position of selling you on the school rather than you having to spend the whole interview selling the interviewer on you.</p>
<p>I just came back from mine. Remember these two things... one, they arent going to ask you trick questions, they just want to know as much about you as possible... two, remember to look the interviewer straight in the eye, you dont want to be letting your eyes wander about the room</p>
<p>I don't think one should have much coaching for the interview. If you need to be told what your passions are, or why you want to attend the school, maybe you shouldn't go after all.</p>
<p>My best advice is to not schedule your first interview at your first choice school. That way you have a real practice under your belt and probably some more confidence as well.
I recently interviewed at my first choice school, Pomona, and I came away feeling that it wasn't as scary as I had been expecting. I think being interviewed by a senior at the school takes the edge off, as you're more on the same level, and can really ask some good questions. Know about the school and demonstrate how interested you are. Most of the questions he asked me were actually about my classes, what subjects I liked best, and a little about my community service. Nothing too big or philosophical.</p>
<p>
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I don't think one should have coaching for the interview. If you need to be told what your passions are, or why you want to attend the school, maybe you shouldn't go after all.
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I don't think that coaching tells you what your passions are. It's more to get you comfortable answering the questions, and knowing what kinds of quesitons might be asked. No need to be surprised.</p>
<p>I had the interview today and didn't practice. It went really well and the interviewer was really nice. It was at Emma Willard. If you have any questions just ask.</p>
<p>don't practice interviewing. it will make you sound like a robot and you definitely don't want that!!!! the only question you should have completely prepared is "why do you want to go?"</p>
<p>also, act confident, and smile. shake their hand and be yourself.</p>
<p>Don't practice interviewing?</p>
<p>So...the less you interview, the better your interviews will go? And the more you've interviewed, the worse you're going to do?</p>
<p>Practicing is not the same as scripting. Part of practicing is to avoid sounding like a robot. It helps you become facile with your responses so that you can cover the ground you want to cover without sticking to a script. The people who do the best at interviewing are the people who have interviewed the most (practiced).</p>
<p>i see what you mean. but i've seen a lot of people who have rehearsed so much that they don't seem real. These schools are looking for REAL people (my cousin works in the admission office) they want to see a HUMAN, not somebody who's practiced every single question they've heard of.</p>
<p>I think that some practice is okay, but overpracticing DOES NOT help, it just makes it that much harder to relate to you!</p>
<p>I completely agree that practice (not scripting) makes perfect. </p>
<p>Here is another thought, since in many schools parents are interviewed as well: if a parent for any reason does not have much interviewing experience, it would help to get a little practice too.</p>
<p>yeah definitely. but most adults have had experience because they've had to go to job interviews before. But i think that the student interview is MUCH more important. they aren't going to have to see the parent everday, but the student will be living within a one mile radius of them!</p>