OFF CAMPUS INTERVIEW??? 30+ Minutes, that long? Help please

Colleges and Universities A-Z Columbia University
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<p>Anyways, in my area an alumni from Columbia contacted me asking me if I wanted an interview. I'm applying to Columbia for ED and my average is 94, I have decent 2200+ SAT score; however, my extra curricular aren't that stellar. I've done an internship at nursing home, I'm treasurer of Science Club yet I'm kind of nervous to do it? Should I or should I not? Also what should I say, any tips and tricks? I stumble when I talk too fast. Also 30+ minutes seems like a long time for ONE interview. So, what should I do? </p>

<p>Thanks,
Worried.</p>

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<p>also, what should i wear to the interview? A suit?
(ps: how do you edit a thread, I know one can edit a single post)</p>

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<p>Preparing for an interview is like preparing for class discussion.</p>

<p>You have to expect questions and be prepared to answer them.</p>

<p>30 minutes is not a long time for an interview. All of my interviews exceeded an hour.</p>

<p>I recommend business casual.</p>

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<p>It would do you more harm than good to turn down the interview. And 30 minutes isn’t that long for an interview. Once you get started, time seems to fly. Err on the side of formality. If you’re a girl, a knee-length skirt and blouse should be safe. If you’re a guy, slacks and button-down shirt or polo. I’m sure people have gotten away with more casual outfits, though.</p>

<p>Even if your ECs are average, the interview will more likely focus on what you did do rather than what you didn’t do. I think it’s better to be able to speak intelligently and enthusiastically about one or two important ECs than muddle your way through explanations of why you’re in ten clubs in which you have no interest. Don’t go in being apologetic about your lack of ECs, even if that’s how you really feel.</p>

<p>And do go in with some intelligent questions that show you’ve done the research.</p>

<p>There are lots of threads on interviewing tips on CC, so you should look them up.</p>

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<p>Hey meomix! I actually just did my Columbia alumni interview a couple days ago. (ED '14 baby!!!) It went great. I was as nervous as you were, but once you get in the flow of things, time definitely flies by. I was genuine and asked a lot of questions regarding Columbia. My interview lasted about an hour, a little over, and it could have gone over except I pretty much ran out of questions to ask. I suggest you accept the interview and just be yourself!!! Answer everything honestly, and you won’t have anything to worry about. Also, (if you’re a boy) I suggest dressing casually IF you are meeting at a local cafe or starbucks. If meeting in an office, something a little more formal would be better. Either way though, dress NICELY!</p>

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<p>If I submitted part 1 of my application today do you think it would be too late for an interview? How long after you submitted part 1 did they alum. contact you?</p>

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<p>if you get asked for an interivew, DO NOT TURN IT DOWN unless you have a very legitimate excuse</p>

<p>otherwise it raises a big red flag to the admissions committee. </p>

<p>dont worry about the interview itself, just act natural. 95% of interviews confirm what the adcom already knows from your file and nothing more. its not a big deal.</p>

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<p>How do they know anything at all about us yet? The only personal info on App part 1 are the 3 academic interests and 3 EC interests. That’s hardly enough for the interview to be a serious tool for admissions.</p>

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<p>Question about interviews: the interview contacts you after you’ve submitted part I? so, we can’t request interviews, right?</p>

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<p>I’ve submitted Part 1 quite a while ago (early September) but so far, I’ve gotten no information about any interview.</p>

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<p>maybe because you’re international…</p>

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<p>No, you can’t request interviews (there’s a strict warning somewhere about not calling the admissions office to find out if you’ll get an interview). A lot of people don’t get interviews, and you’re not at a disadvantage if you don’t get one (as opposed to actually turning one down).</p>

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<p>I had my interview yesterday. It was at a rather spacious Starbucks. My interviewer and I talked for about 4 hours. This is no joke, we had so many similarities that we never ran out of topics to talk about. It was an amazing experience, and I highly recommend anyone participate given the chance take part.</p>

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<p>BTW, My interview went great. The 30 minutes was a breeze ( it was actually more like 2 hours). Anyways all the interviewers are probably REALLY friendly, mine was friendly and talkative. Also I signed up for ED by submitting Part 1 about a few weeks ago and received the interview email last week. I’m pretty sure it’s by area, probably not everyone will get a chance.</p>

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<p>I just sent off Part1 a couple days ago, but I’m a Canadian. Do you think I’ll get an interview? I’m about 3 hours away from Toronto.</p>

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<p>meowmix,</p>

<p>Your question could take hours to answer by itself. there are a million things to try and work on to make a good impression in an interview. I’ll limit myself to two practical suggestions:</p>

<p>1) Don’t Sweat It. It’s easy to get into a nervous tizzy about something like this. While it’s certainly possible to DQ your application by doing or saying something completely ludicrous, you know (deep down) that you wouldn’t do that. Short of that, the interview really has very little weight. Some of the most lively, entertaining and impressive candidates I’ve interviewed (not knowing their stats, of course) did not get in, and some of the more boring/awkward ones I’ve interviewed did get in. It’s a check in a checkbox, not a huge factor. So just go in with an attitude of “hey, whatever, i’m here to meet someone and have a conversation”, knowing that it won’t change much either way.</p>

<p>2) Do some practice. Some real, live, mock interviews. Maybe with your parents, maybe with your friends, maybe with your HS guidance counselor. Maybe, ideally, with some businesspeople or other adults whom you know and respect but aren’t otherwise related to. Just ask if they’d be willing to mock-interview you for half an hour, once or twice, if you buy them coffee some afternoon or evening. Could be a teacher, a friend of the family, someone you’ve worked with - just make sure it’s someone who’s been in their fair share of interviews in their life (for college, grad school, employment). Don’t take too much of any one person’s time, but do try to get some good practice in.</p>

<p>I say this because practice really is the best way to improve at interviewing. You wouldn’t believe how many interviews I did for strategy consulting firms when I was a senior at Columbia, but I definitely felt myself getting a lot better towards the end - and started getting second-round interviews, and finally, at the very end of the season, a job offer. Life would have been a lot better for me if I had gotten that practice on my own, early on, rather than using live interviews as a testing ground for the way that I talk about myself and act in a setting like that.</p>

<p>edit: I see my advice isn’t timely anymore. oh well. glad it went well, and this applies to anyone else who’s worried about interviews!</p>