Just wanted to start a thread asking any previous finalists for some advice on the finalist weekend interview and activities. I am OOS and had a phone interview asking a lot of situational questions regarding leadership. I thought I handled them well, but they were pretty difficult questions to answer. Now that I am a finalist, I was wondering what other questions they asked in the finalist interview. The only reason I ask is I feel as if I have answered almost every question on the board - whether in my application or phone interview. I would absolutely LOVE to go to NC State and be a part of the Park Program - any advice would be great!!
Congratulations on moving forward. My son was in the running for this too, but didn’t make it to the finals, which he would have declined anyways, since he is going to the Foundation Fellows finals at UGA, which is the same week end. I can tell you from their week end agenda, its pretty intense. Make sure you are REALLY up to date on current events, as they said they will want to have conversations with you about current events, your future plans, seminars they are planning to have etc. It is pretty nerve racking all the stuff they are going to be doing with the kids. However, UGA sent us a huge packet telling my son how to prepare for the week end. Hopefully NC state will do that with you. If they don’t, at least make sure you are really current on todays news and events, know NC state and what it offers as far as classes backwards and forwards. Good luck!
I am a Park Scholar in the class of 2017. My biggest advice would be just to be yourself. Finalist weekend should be a lot more straightforward than your phone interview was because you will actually see your interviewers. Your interview will be with three interviewers most likely. Each set of interviewers interviews at least five different finalists throughout the interview day. The interview questions will target the four pillars of the program. They then score you on the four pillars of the Park Scholarships program as well as on presence. They also make write comments on your interview. You also will be scored on a group task that day as well. Some alumni of the program will give you and a group of three other finalists a problem. They will score you on teamwork. Don’t fight with your other team members. Also, throughout the day, do not be nervous. I helped with finalist weekend last year and could see exactly how nervous a lot of the finalists were. One interview question to know your answer to ahead of time is “What is an example of a time you failed and what did you learn from the experience?” It may not be asked, but you want to be prepared if it is. Enjoy the weekend. It will be fun. Find out if you actually like NC State. You are interviewing State as much as they are interviewing you.
cdlong033 has good advice. Most attend with a parent. You will have a dinner - faculty, parents and finalists will sit with you. The interview is with a couple people. Just be prepared to give examples from your activities that support each pillar. There is some group activity. Be yourself. Be sincere. Personally, I think it’s good if they know you WANT to go there.
It’s a pretty big deal to even make finalist - congratulations! There is a set number of in state students they will accept - so to some degree, you are competing for the out of state spots. Park does not accept international students.
You have the option to stay with other Parks - my son did and enjoyed himself. My son loves it there. Classes are hard - he’s in engineering. But he loves the campus, fellow Parks, etc. He is in Honors Quad and really likes that too. Good luck!
Thank you - the advice is very helpful and has calmed some of the nerves I had about the weekend. I can’t wait to visit NC State. Thanks again!
Good luck this weekend!
It was a great weekend! Loved NC State!
Any finalists? Any questions? My son home this week and I can get him to answer some questions!