<p>Will it reflect badly if my S doesn't select when we visit? He's rather shy, and will need some practice if/when he does interview. I can't find that interviews are mandatory.</p>
<p>I don’t know that it would reflect badly or anything - I got in without an interview after two visits. On the other hand, I don’t really think that doing the interview can do much besides help your son’s chances - they’re not going to try to grill him, and it’s a good chance for him to ask questions about the school from someone who ought to know. Best of luck :)</p>
<p>I know that the sound of doing an interview can be scary but the WASHU interview is definitely not. It was more of a conversation and less of an interview. The real point seemed for them to get an idea of who the student is. What do you like to do after school? What do you want to study? Those were the types of questions they asked.</p>
<p>I had mine on Monday it was very VERY informal. Most people had the interview with a current student (I had mine with an admissions officer but only because they had almost 500 students visiting that day and needed some extra hands.) Most of the current students were in jeans and a t-shirt which just showed how informal it was.</p>
<p>Tell your son not to be nervous. I was very nervous myself but I completely loosened up as soon as I saw how laid back it was. If it helps, maybe go to the info session and campus tour first. It might help to be familiar with the surroundings before going in for the interview. Also, he can have questions prepared to ask the interviewer (they seemed to like when students did that).</p>
<p>Best of luck to your son! And like Don_Quixote said, it can only help, not harm. If you have any more questions feel free to ask!</p>
<p>Thanks- I will encourage him to schedule this. He will definitely have a list of ??s.</p>
<p>My DS had an interview when he visited and it was very low key. It was his first and from what he said the admissions rep he spoke with was great and drew out of him things that made him unique. Your son shouldn’t worry.</p>
<p>ETA: And, DS was accepted, so it didn’t hurt :)</p>
<p>The interviews at WashU are extremely relaxed. They don’t try to pressure you, it’s more to help you find what you like, if anything. But I didn’t interview before and I was accepted. I just interviewed for a scholarship.</p>
<p>My D is having her interview at Wash U tomorrow-what kinds of questions do they ask, how long will it last and how should she dress? Thanks.</p>
<p>The questions are very basic. Where do you live? What extracurricualrs are you involved in? What is your favorite class? What do you want to study when you get to college? If there was one thing you could change about your school what would it be? There wasn’t anything too difficult- it was just a time to get to know you and what you like to do. They also asked if you had any questions so it is always good to be prepared for that so they know that you are really interested in the school.</p>
<p>My interview lasted about 15 minutes and that seemed to be the norm for most others I talked too. The longest I heard was 30 minutes but that was simply because the student being interviewed and the interviewer were both very interested in the same topic (computer science I think?)</p>
<p>On how to dress, I was wearing nice dress slacks and a nice blouse. Others I saw were in jeans and a t-shirt. If it is not a scholarship interview, it is not as important to wear a suit/dress. Most interviews that are given when you simply visit the school are given by current students at WASHU. This gives it a more laid back feel especially since most of the interviewers were in jeans themselves. I would say to look nice but be comfortable also. If that means a suit and tie then, by all means, wear one. It is not necessary, however, to do so.</p>
<p>I did an interview when I visited, and I am glad I did. It was really relaxed, I just met with a current student. He went to get coffee, and we just sat and talked for awhile. It was really helpful because his major was what I wanted to do. I was just wearing jeans and a fairly nice shirt, and he asked basic questions about my high school experience, what I was interested in, etc. Then I had time to ask about Wash U, and it was really informative. My interview lasted about a half hour. I would definitely recommend that everyone who has a chance do an interview! I am pretty shy, so I was nervous, but the interview went fine and it was good practice for interviews I did later. I was accepted, so obviously the interview didn’t hurt!</p>