I’m meeting my regional rep for Brown tomorrow at a seminar. I’m applying ED so I really want to make a good impression. I already have some questions to ask but do you guys have any tips on how to make a good impression?
Tell him/her that Brown is your 1st choice and you’re applying ED. Period. No need to think up some faux questions… That’s all he/she has to know. Nothing says INTEREST more than applying ED.
It would be helpful to ask him/her some interesting questions. Your regional rep will be the first gatekeeper.
I disagree beyond: “Through careful research, I’ve learned a lot already, enough that I’m going to apply to Brown. I look forward to your learning about me in my ED application. Do you have any more last second advice?”
Or, if the rep is a Brown alumnus/a, ask if ED was something that he/she considered and why/why not.
A witty or limp question isn’t going to remain in the rep’s mind. The confident student who has already decided to apply – will leave an impression.
If you get the chance to speak to the rep for an extended period of time, you could ask what his/her experience at Brown was like (if he/she attended), and how to make your application the strongest it can be. Best of luck!
You could ask “In your experience, what are the typical characteristics of successful Brown students” After he/she answers your question, you could give a couple of examples of how you have these attributes!
Relax and good luck!
This is the person who is going to be arguing to accept you in committee. You want him/her to remember you. What do you want him to remember you for?
What is Brown looking for? Engaged students. Independent thinkers. Curious and inquisitive about knowledge. Try to ask a question that sparks a conversation where s/he learns something about you – what you love to learn, what you’ve contributed to your community.
Example: “I’m a debater in HS. Tell me about debate at Brown. At my last debate I got really interested in researching …”
I’d ask what he or she is specifically looking for in a prospects from your school and region.
The regional rep for my daughter said he liked our community for it’s diversity. He said students from here did well in transitioning in to Brown’s diverse community. In her Brown supplements, my D spoke to the diversity of her community and family.
The rep also said he liked the the students whose teacher’s said would be missed the most when they graduated. My D passed that information along to her teacher recommenders.
Best of Luck!
How was the interview?
@londondad it wasn’t much of an interview; it was more of a Q and A. Anyway, it went well, but I only spoke with her for about a minute because we were asked to leave the building due to time constraints. So I only told her that I was applying ED and I asked her one question, but I emailed her afterwards to thank her and to further develop the conversation we had earlier.
Great. Sounds like you handled it well given the circumstances.