Mit Alumni Interview

<p>What are some of the questions they asked?</p>

<p>the big one "Why MIT?".. others i cant seem to remember. She didnt have to ask a lot of questions for me.. because i fulfilled all of the characteristics and questions they had about me in the beginning when i gave her my resume and i explained some things on it. Really.. we just went trough "Why MIT" and a couple other small questions</p>

<p>How long do interviews last on the average? And does the adcom make allowances for the fact that an interviewer could be biased and not give a good rec if he/she feel very strongly against several of the applicant's opinions? How then does the adcom make a uniform judgement across all the different applicants' interviews? What if some interviewers are more critical, or more easily impressed than the rest? Is there some kind of code they adhere to?</p>

<p>Sorry for the barrage of questions... But i was wondering if an interviewer who's in a bad mood or anything like that may jeopardise an applicant's chances...</p>

<p>I think they're supposed to last an hour.</p>

<p>mit_hopefulgirl,
why are you presuming the negative? most MIT interviewers are well acquainted with the anxiety and tension of the application process and make an effort to let the interviewee relax and be themselves. the written report on the interview is reviewed by the adcom not only for the quality of the applicant, but also for the quality of the report. some reports are more helpful and thorough than others- just a reality. </p>

<p>the mood of the interviewer and other variables that you mention are completely outside of your control. focus your attention on what you can control....be ready to go in, relax, be yourself and make a case for your substance as an applicant-- which is what matters after all...</p>

<p>heh thanks robyrm=) Was just wondering you see.. especially when you're being interviewed in another country. My interviewer's apparently someone very important - so I was just worried that his busy schedules and stuff might affect his moods=) But anyway, I guess you're right - it's outta my control=)</p>

<p>irock1ce-</p>

<p>Berkeley, eh? were her initials LY by any chance. Just curious since I have my interview this week and I like in Berkeley</p>

<p>So to recap,
The one interview question is " WHY MIT??"
Can anyone else add to the list?
thanks</p>

<p>I think it varies by the interviewer. Mine also asked questions about my extracurricular and athletic activities/interests as well as any volunteer stuff and a few other things, like what courses I had in school and whether I had any required reading. My guess is that it's very subjective and varies by the person.</p>

<p>my understanding is that they know nothing about you ahead of time, so they are only going to ask very general questions to get started. Even if you put it on your app, the interviewer won't know if you are a nationally ranked ping-pong player, or built a working computer out of popsickle sticks, or spend 40 hours a week working in your family's restaurant, or spend your week-ends playing Bluegrass with a band, or whatever. If you have some particular thing you spend a lot of time on, you should make a point to bring it up.</p>

<p>i wil bring a resume..
ahh. my interview is tomorrow. im so nervous. and i dont even have time to prep due to 2 exams that i have tomorrow. :(</p>

<p>no need to be nervous. act as though ur just having a chat with a friend. they arnt gonna try and make u nervous or ask real personal questions. just chat</p>

<p>there's really nothing TO prep for. If you start memorizing what you're going to say, they're going to come out like that - mechanical sounding.</p>

<p>my mit interviewer is a genius. he got a Bachlors and Masters at mit in FOUR YEARS!!! and he applied as an intl student, which means the admission reate is about 4% compared to the around 18 - 20% for americans.... </p>

<p>he told he if he could, he wouldn't do it again. it was just wayyy to hard. he said most ppl didnt have a lot of time to do ECs cuz they are so occupied with studies. But he said that's probably b/.c he was trying to do six years of work in 4.//.</p>

<p>I just came back from my interview. I thought it went well. Nothing special, i dont know if thats good or not. I can't exactly tell what he thought about me because he didn't make any comments like.. oh i'll write u a good recommendation or anything special.
HE was talking for a while when he said that many people have the ability to do everything at MIT but still get rejected and that many get deferred from MIT, but I shouldn't lose hope.
I just hope this helps me in some way and increases my chances.
Thanks all of you for helping me out and good luck to others of you who still have it coming up!</p>

<p>kos - yeah her initials were LY. Shes really cool.</p>

<p>Um anyone have any more last minute advice for an interview? I have mine tomorrow. :)</p>

<p>You all are still luckier than me :(</p>

<p>Firstly, I was designed an EC. Then, that EC returned me back to the Council, due to his availability within the next two months. Unfortunately, there is no other EC's in my area.</p>

<p>Here is where advice required :P Whether or not should I ask the Educational Council for another EC, even though I understand I would have to travel for an interview?</p>

<p>Do you think not having an interview will substantially reduce the chance to be admitted?</p>

<p>Gee thanks...no j/k</p>

<p>But ok advice for you, I think that they said that if there are no ECs in your area, you can get the interview waived. Supposedly this won't affect their decision, but I'm not sure.</p>

<p>Call them and ask :)</p>