My CRAZY UCLA Alumni Scholarship Interview experience...

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of California - Los Angeles
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<p>I just thought I'd share my crazy experience with you guys.</p>

<p>Well, a few days ago I got a call from the UCLA Alumni Association saying I had made it to the finals for my district for the Alumni Scholarship. Surprisingly, I was the only one in my COUNTY that even applied for the scholarship. Unfortunately, this meant I had to drive two hours to get to the interview.</p>

<p>I had shoulder surgery last week, so I've been really sore and unable to even shower. I was nervous at the prospect of having to clean myself up for the interview. I decided to buy a shirt and tie that are blue and gold, UCLA colors, to try to make up for the fact I'm wearing this gigantic brace on my left arm/shoulder.</p>

<p>I arrived at the interview feeling extremely nervous. It was heald in an accountant's office where a large UCLA banner was displaced in the window. They called me into the office before a panel of four UCLA Alumni. They were all pretty friendly and really intelligent. The first thing they asked me was "Why do you want to go to UCLA?" I felt I answered it pretty well, and joked with them about my injury. However, the next three questions really threw me for a loop. They said, "What's your opinion about the Terri Shiavo case?" I stared at them blankly, completely not ready for the question. I mumbled out a disjointed, cliche response to that question, and the questions that followed which were "What's the largest challenge you've faced?" (a hard one to answer considering I've never had cancer or any other major setbacks), and then they made me respond to a quote by JFK.</p>

<p>After only 10 minutes, the interview was over. I left thinking "That was it???", after driving two hours to get there. Even worse, I was really disappointed in myself with the way I answered the questions. On the drive home, I sat there feeling depressed, as if I had done the entire application and gotten my hopes up for nothing. My friend who got the scholarship last year said they called her the night of her interview to say she got the scholarship. I didn't get a call. I went to bed feeling really disappointed and let down.</p>

<p>Then, this morning, I woke up to an e-mail saying they chose me for the scholarship!!!!!!!!!! I couldn't BELIEVE it!!! I felt like I had done so horribly in the interview. Looking back, I think they realized that I was just really nervous and wasn't expecting such weird questions. I also think they appreciated the fact that I made the effort to drive two hours each way on a school night, and got cleaned up dispite my physical condition. I also made an effort, even though I didn't answer the questions perfectly, to smile and shake hands with everyone that was there. Being friendly never hurts.</p>

<p>I just wanted to share my experiences because I know that some of you guys have either just had interviews or will have them soon. My advice to you is that it's OK to be nervous and stumble on a few questions. They don't expect perfection. They're most interested in seeing that you make an effort to show up, dress nicely, and act curtiously towards the panel.</p>

<p>I'm now like 99% sure I want to go to UCLA. The benefits for ASC seem pretty nice!!!</p>

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<p>Congrats!!</p>

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<p>Thanks!!!</p>

<p>I don't think I'm going to the State Finals, but I don't really care at this point. I'm just glad I can call myself an "Alumni Scholar"!!</p>

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<p>congrats nobleguy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!</p>

<p>im so excited to hear your story haha. welcome to the alumni scholar family! and yes, the benefits are nice haha. =)</p>

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<p>So you're an alumni scholar, kfc4u?</p>

<p>By the way, I like your name. Two of my best friends work at KFC, so I'm always hearing their crazy stories.</p>

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<p>Edit: I'm going to compete at the finals for a chance at $15,000. I'm in shock.</p>

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<p>yeah i'm an alumni scholar. i didn't make it to state finals (all 3 kids from my high school got the alumni scholarship my year but i was the 3rd one, the other 2 advanced to the next round). but it's good enough haha. also if you get loans, alumni scholarship probably gonna replace those loans with grants. </p>

<p>"By the way, I like your name. Two of my best friends work at KFC, so I'm always hearing their crazy stories."</p>

<p>hahahahahaha. KFC is also my initials. =D</p>

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<p>HOLY SHIZZLE wow they upped it to $15,000?????????????</p>

<p>WOW CONGRATS EVEN MORE nobleguy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!</p>

<p>definately go for it! maybe ill see you at state finals too! WOW CONGRATS, only like 50 something in all of california get this opportunity!!!!</p>

<p>by the way, state finals award used to be $12,000</p>

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<p>I was under the impression it was $12,000 too. And that's what all the paperwork says on the UCLA website. But he said $15,000 in the message he left on my answering machine... I dunno, maybe he mispoke.</p>

<p>I was under the impression that if I won my district, I'd be heading straight to the finals at UCLA. But they told me next I go to the "state capital" (not sure whether this means Sacramento, or the actual capital building). I have no idea what kind of competition I'll face there...</p>

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<p>oh that's so awesome!!! congratulations :-)!</p>

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<p>nobleguy, there's usually 2 rounds of competition before state finals. i actually wasn't sure if they'd cut one of the rounds this year since state finals is earlier than usual, but i guess they didn't. so good luck with your next round!!</p>

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<p>just curious, nobleguy, where was your interview?</p>

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<p>My interview was in Auburn, in the foothills north from Sacramento. I competed against everyone from Sacramento to the Oregon border. Everyone at the interview was pretty much from the Sacramento area, except me, who had to drive two hours to get there. I'm from Chico, in case anyone knows where that is.</p>

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<p>or ur the only person from ur county..</p>

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<p>Damn it, I should've applied. I would've been there with you.</p>

<p>Damn me.</p>

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<p>I am the only person from my county.</p>

<p>Where are you from, leggomyego?</p>

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<p>Placer County (Auburn/Lincoln/Roseville/Rocklin area)</p>

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<p>Ok, yeah. You're closer to where the interview was than I am. You definitely woulda been there :)</p>

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<p>does anyone know whether the people at the area interview are the same people who were at the district interview? cause i wanna know if i can reuse some of my stuff ;)</p>

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<p>Last night the person in charge of the next round called me. Five people are interviewing for two spots to go to state. It's going to be heald in the state capital building; apparently several UCLA alumni work there.</p>

<p>Anyway, to answer your question, the guy told me that two of the people who were at my last interview will be there. I'm not sure if this is how it will work in all districts, though.</p>

<p>What "stuff" were you planning to reuse?</p>