<p>So, I have two college interviews coming up in the next month. George Washington (early Nov.) and Georgetown (yet to be scheduled, but likely within the next two weeks). This is my first time being interviewed for ANYTHING, and I'm pretty nervous. I have a few questions, and if anyone could provide some input, I'd greatly appreciate it!</p>
<p>1) How will I recognize my interviewer? Crazy, but I have this fear that I'll arrive to the location, and just not recognize them, and end up looking dumb. Would it be okay to arrive ~30 mins early, so that I'd be the first one there, and (hopefully) the interviewer would recognize/approach me? If no, do you have any other suggestions?</p>
<p>2) How can I not let my nervousness get the best of me? In situations like this one, I don't really clam up, but I tend to have a higher pitched voice, and speak quickly, without thinking. (IMO, it can be a little evident that I'm nervous) Also, my heart beats really fast, and I just do what I can to end the situation, which is obviously NOT what I want happening in my interview!</p>
<p>3) What should I wear? I'm a girl, so I was thinking a conservative peasant blouse, black jeans and plain ballet flats. Or should I go the more formal route, and wear heels and dress pants (with the same blouse)?</p>
<p>Thanks in advance for your help, and good luck during this process! :)</p>
<p>Do a lot of mock interviews on video. Review them. Read a lot about the school, your intended major, the school newspapers. Once you have a lot of info and a lot of practice, you’ll have the tools to do well in the interview. Also, consider doing “creative visualization.” Athletes and others who need to perform have found it useful as preparation. Practice slowing down your breathing and keeping your voice in check. Both outfits sound nice as long as there’s not a lot of cleave or super-tight going on. Good luck! </p>
<p>This is so hilarious but my daughter is going through this 100% right now…even what to wear…and the interview is with Georgetown. On Georgetown, she’s sent letters to two alumni so far (addresses given to her by the school) and neither has even replied! But yesterday she had her first interview…with a college that she is so-so about…so it was good practice. She drove to the coffee shop 10 minutes early…walked first to the counter…ordered a chai…while she waited for her order, she discreetly looked around…the counselor was super easy to pick out…then she went into the restroom…waited a few minutes…and then came out right at the time. The conversation really turned out to be just that…very casual…just to tell her more about the college…one thing my D did do was send an email <em>before</em> with just a quick paragraph about her background …and the guy seemed to really appreciae it.</p>
<p>My D wore a casual, tailored dress that she felt comfortable in…low heels…the girl before her had dress pants on…</p>
<p>Practice, practice, practice! A college interview is much like a job interview with open-ended questions (eg “Tell me about yourself”) which are covered in any book about how to interview. There will also be some college specific questions like “Why Georgetown?” You have time to prepare so I suggest getting a book on interviewing, then having your friends, parents, and anyone else you can corral do mock interviews with you so that your real interview isn’t the 1st time you go thru it.</p>
<p>One other tip is about YOU asking questions. I guarantee that at each interview they will at some point ask “Do you have any questions you’d like to ask?” This is actually an important point in the process. What they’re doing is checking to see if you’ve prepared, which in turn they will use to infer how interested you are in the college. Asking questions easily answered on the college website or stammering you don’t have any does not leave a good impression. So take the time to think about what it would be like to be a student at each of these colleges, think about some of the things you’d like to know (eg “With my intended major in Underwater Basket Weaving, will I be able to spend a semester abroad in Albania and still graduate on time?”) They may need to get back to you on some questions, that’s not a problem. </p>
<p>First, relax. My D did a number of interviews and from what she said they pretty much all turned into comfortable conversations. The key is to be prepared and be comfortable. She prepared by doing the following:
We had already visited the schools she interviewed with so she could speak about why they were interesting to her. If you did not visit, be sure you have done your research (school website, books) so you can talk about why you think the school is a good fit.
-She had a resume prepared which she gave the interviewer when they met. The resume detailed her academic achievements and extracurricular activities. She found this to be helpful in that it gave the interviewer a good place to start a conversation.
-She prepared a few questions about each school (that cannot be answered from the website). She wrote them on an index card which she brought in a folder where she had the resumes. She didn’t take out the index card, but I think she felt comfortable about having it in with her case she froze.
-If you google college interview questions, you can get a good list of sample questions to think about. I wouldn’t rehearse answers because then you will sound forced, but just read them over and collect some good thoughts in advance.</p>
<p>In terms of dress, my D went with either a sundress, cardigan and flats, or black pants (not dress pants), high heel dress boots and a nice shirt. I think you would be fine with either of your choices. If you have any doubts, go for the dressier look. </p>
<p>For recognizing the interviewer, the one interview my D had at a Starbucks she was able to look on the school’s website and find a picture of the interviewer. Otherwise, you can email him/her and ask if there is a specific place you should meet or look for him/her or a way to recognize him/her. You want to get there a little early (and leave extra time if you are not certain of the location) but you don’t need to get there super early because there is a reasonable chance he/she will have another interview before (and after) you.</p>
<p>The good interviewers know that HS students are not experienced at this and they are not out to get you. They just want to get to know you a bit better, find out more about your interests/passions, and why you think the school is a good fit. </p>
<p>Okay I know this is completely unrelated, but isn’t the Early Decision deadline only November 1st? How do you already have college interviews? Or am I just doing something wrong…?</p>