<p>I have applied for Recording Arts major and received an in-campus interview invitation email few days ago. My preferred interview date is march 1st~2nd. And here are my questions:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Would it be better to reschedule my interview date to feb or jan? I've heard that since it's rolling admission, there'll be more chance to get accepted if you do it earlier.</p></li>
<li><p>Is there anything I have to concern/know about for the interview? anything to prepare?</p></li>
</ol>
<p>I can’t speak specifically to JSOM, but we have this situation with one of my daughter’s top schools. The ONLY audition date that worked travel wise and in the mix of other audition dates was their final date. She contacted the professors there and asked them directly if this was going to hurt her chances for talent aid (since she has already been accepted to the school academically, she was less worried about that). This school said that they would rather have her come on the scheduled weekend, even that late and it would not hurt her chances. I guess what I am saying is contact the school and ask them what they think. It is often difficult on the school’s side to reschedule.</p>
<p>I don’t know about the Recording Arts major, but our D was the very last one on the very last day to audition on her instrument, having decided after applying to audition in person. We joked that the audition panel would be attentive and receptive because they would be so glad to be done and could go get their dinner. They were, in fact, very kind, and perhaps more relaxed about giving positive feedback, having heard all the applicants by then (though they were careful to say the music admissions office would need to go over her application). She was accepted and awarded a scholarship. I think at Jacobs, scholarships (music and academic merit, both of which are awarded by the music school admissions office) are decided after all auditions/interviews. You can always call the admissions office for advice, but I think you should be fine with that date.</p>
<p>Rusted, be prepared to comfortably describe/discuss your influences, creative process and production techniques used in your portfolio pieces, plus your goal with the degree and the way in which the RA program both fits you/and the contribution you can make to the program. If Jacobs RA is your number 1 choice, be certain to express that, together with your passion as an audiophile/production artist ;)</p>
<p>If you’ve had unique preparatory training/experience or challenging sound reinforcement opportunities, be prepared to proactively share those as well. Do not hide your light under a bushel regarding your musical performance background, whether alternative/indie or more traditional/symphonic/jazz related. The selected class is usually about 50/50 in terms of contemporary/pop-style musical background and traditional band/orchestra training.</p>
<p>Lastly, it doesn’t hurt to weave in “evidence” of your technical aptitude if available. (Eg. anything from programming/multimedia to specific protools exposure…any examples where your passion caused you to take initiative to explore or master (excuse the pun) a technical challenge independently. If you’re weak in experience in this area, instead use examples of transferable aptitude.</p>
<p>You may also wish to listen to some of the work produced by the department head. It will give you a bit of an idea about mix and mastering style, etc. Be yourself and be true to your art, but reviewing Strauss’s work gives you a common starting ground ;)</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>PS Here is his demo reel link: <a href=“http://mypage.iu.edu/~kstrauss/Konrad_Strauss/Demo_Reel.html[/url]”>http://mypage.iu.edu/~kstrauss/Konrad_Strauss/Demo_Reel.html</a></p>
<p>Thank you so much for the replies! Now i gotta prepare for the interview D:</p>
<p>Oh, man…interviews. I remember them well. ;)</p>
<p>My interview for Jacobs recording arts last year was quite nerve-wracking. They put me alone in a room with the faculty of the department, who proceeded to grill me rather thoroughly. I left the room feeling miserable- however, I was accepted (though I decided not to attend IU), so don’t lose heart if you have a less-than-encouraging interview experience. As I recall, they did ask more technical questions than the other school I interviewed at. I bombed those questions quite majestically…I even managed to forget what a cardioid microphone was. But upon further reflection, I don’t think that was actually important- I was still confident, polite, and really displayed my passion, which is what they were looking for. If you do the same, you’ll be just fine. Making it to the interview is a hell of an accomplishment in and of itself.</p>
<p>Best of luck!</p>
<p>i’m extremely shy and never really had any interview in my whole life, and that makes me super nervous now D:
thank you for the advice!!</p>
<p>My son finally got his audition email this week for the Feb 1 -2 dates - he is pretty psyched. This forum has been invaluable in keeping our sanity. Good luck to you all!</p>