Hi, everyone!
With my MIT Interview, I know it’s suggested on the MIT Admissions site to look up the alumnus who will be interviewing you. But I don’t know how? Do I Google them? Or there a site where all of the MIT alums talk about what they’ve done?
Also, my interviewer has a very common first and last name, so I’m not sure what to do with that. (The last name, as an example, is Smith.)
Follow the advice given by MIT:
http://mitadmissions.org/blogs/entry/interview-tips-from-an-mit-educational-counselor
Doing a quick search to glean basic background info is one thing. Doing a deep-dig is just stalkerish. If you can’t find the info quickly, give it up. The interviewer is not expecting you to know their CV. The purpose of the interview is for them to get to know you and to answer your questions. don’t make it creepy.
Might want to try to find their profile on LinkedIn to get some color on their professional background.
There is a fine line here. As an interviewer (not for MIT), it creeps me out when the interviewee goes too deeply into my background. Where that line is varies by each interviewee in how they handle interpersonal conversation and the context in which they let me know that they know about me. Conversely, I am sure different interviewers have different “creeped out” points. The safest course is to do the research, not to score brownie points with the interviewer by complimenting/talking about them, but to have a better idea of what the interviewer may be interested in and to possibly avoid any touchy subjects. Interviewers are human and there generally is better interaction when both parties are talking about a topic that interests them both. That’s not to say though you shouldn’t be prepared to talk about subjects, activities and/or accomplishments that you have a deep interest in – you should always do that.
The link that @skieurope provided above provides great tips for any college interview.
Hi, everyone,
Apologies that I’ve been vague. By looking into my interviewer, I mostly meant learning what his major was and what he does currently. To see if we have interests in common.
I did not at all imply that I’d be doing any deep digging. Mostly the basic information.
Those are good questions to ask the interviewer. What they do will be on their linkedin page (if they have one). For many people, their major would not be readily available online, so that gets into the creeped out part, IMO.
As an EC for MIT, it would not “creep me out” if one googled me ( or used LinkedIn, or whatever). I would question why one would want to. The purpose of the intervoew isn’t to interview the EC. It is for the EC to interview the student. What my msjor was is of no relevance.l tell the student everything they need to know about me.
I would much rather the student do a little more research about MIT. It is surprising to me how little some of the students actually know about MIT other than it is one of the best colleges. They really can’t give an answer to why they want to go there.
I agree with HPuck35. Occasionally I interview a candidate that knows some very obscure facts about MIT’s history and knows the requirements by heart of his/her intended major. Its kind of fun when the student knows more about MIT than me! Then I know the student is truly interested in MIT. Often those that do not visit the MIT campus do their homework better, by studying MIT blogs and the fantastic website, and understand what sort of school MIT is and is not, so they have self selected better and they may fit MIT better. Does not mean they will get in, unless everything else is in place.
I believe that knowing more about MIT, or any other college that they are applying to, will help the applicant tailor their application which makes for a stronger application. Still no guarantee of admittance but why not give it your best shot.
Hello - Duke alumni interviewer here. It actually creeps me out when students google me ahead of time. Most often these students sneak into the conversation my favorite sports or hobbies. These are the ‘brown-noser’ type of students that I’m sure you’re familiar with.
I agree with @hpuck35, I would much rather students spend time researching the college and why they are a good fit, instead of digging up stuff about me.
Regarding LinkedIn, you can see who has viewed your profile. I would not stalk someone professionally that way. 