<p>some people (including the website) say the interview is 100% optional and more like an info session than an interview while others are getting nervous and trying to prepare their "why nu" answers, etc...can anyone tell me which it is? if it's the first, is there any reason to have an interview (if i feel i already know what i want to know about nu anyway)?</p>
<p>I interviewed for Early Decision and generally shared the same uncertainty as you’re describing. I didn’t know whether it would be completely informational, slightly evaluative, or wholly evaluative. </p>
<p>When I arrived, my interviewer did tell me that she had to fill out a report and send it back to Northwestern. The rest of our interview lasted a little longer than half an hour. She asked me why I wanted to attend, which is a question to which you should have a solid answer if you are this stage of the admissions process. She then questioned me about why I was drawn to my specific major and what about this major’s incorporation in the NU curriculum was so intriguing. The remainder of the time was spent pretty much shooting the **** — we talked about what type of books I like to read, a few of my awards, and the future of journalism (yes, I am a Medill applicant). I hope that helps.</p>
<p>^So, then it WAS evaluative and not just informative (and not really optional either)? I had this question too. I got an email yesterday for the interview and it said it’s not held against the applicant if they don’t interview, and that it’s mainly informational. :-/ Do you think it might have been different for you because you were an ED applicant?</p>
<p>It was evaluative and informative, but not too evaluative or too informative. She did ask me if I had any questions for her, and I hit her with a few inquiries I had been crafting the day before. On that note, make sure you ask solid questions. Don’t ask about a topic that can easily be found on the website. If you don’t have questions, simply say, “None come to mind right now, but do you have an e-mail address at which I can contact you if any pop up?” They love that follow-through isht. They eat it right up.</p>
<p>what questions would be considered solid? pretty much everything i want to know has already been answered on collegeconfidential. :-/ i guess i could do the follow-up but i feel it’ll look kind of stupid if i don’t ask any questions while there.</p>
<p>I’ve spoken to 3 admissions counselors and asked the same question.</p>
<p>ALL three said: OPTIONAL, INFORMATIONAL ~>useless + waste of their time</p>
<p>One adcom told me explicitly that it’s “…rather unnecessary”
Needless to say it marginally helps given you do well, but i don’t think adcoms look at it more so than let’s say a summer program than you did.</p>
<p>@whitecadillac</p>
<p>Don’t worry about it. If you can’t think of “solid” questions, then you won’t be rejected. Don’t sweat it.</p>
<p>It’s not necessary. You won’t get rejected if you screw up or don’t get interviewed. I didn’t register for an interview. Result? Got accepted. My 3 friends who did? Rejected. There is no correlation. Don’t worry. :)</p>
<p>Son accepted into School of Communication (Theatre) last year (current freshman)…no interview. No problem.</p>
<p>thanks guys! :)</p>
<p>As an NU alum, I did interviewing for the first 10 years after I graduated and now, I’ve actively interviewed for the last 4 years (with a 15 yr gap in between). While the interview is optional, NU Admissions is interested to see who takes the initiative to schedule an interview, especially for those students who cannot make it out to Evanston. I always tell the applicants I interview that our 20 minute exchange will not get them in nor will it keep them out. It is not our place or mission to determine an applicant’s qualifications and fit for the incoming class. The interview simply represents one more opportunity to shine and to provide us with something additional that was not covered in the application. We are not privy to your GPA or SAT/ACT scores, so we are looking for what makes you standout and use the interview process to learn something new about you. Bottom line, if you have the opportunity to interview, do so! It further demonstrates your interest and commitment to NU and in 99% of the cases, can only help.</p>