<p>I'm interviewing on-campus in about a week. I'm a guy... how should I dress? Is there anything (questions or anything else) that I should be especially prepared for?</p>
<p>I'm also applying to CMC, so I'm assuming they'll ask me why I like Pomona over CMC. Whats a good answer to that? </p>
<p>Thanks :)</p>
<p>Santeria:</p>
<p>We visited these 2 schools with our daughter last summer. If you are touring and interviewing at both schools in the same day, I’d suggest that you dress a little conservatively, mostly for the sake of CMC.</p>
<p>As far the question you anticipate, if you are touring and interviewing at CMC before you do so at Pomona, you have an easy out. Just say that you won’t know enough about Pomona to answer until you visit. However, we visited Pomona before CMC, and our daughter doesn’t remember getting that question.</p>
<p>You may be right to anticipate some challenging questions from CMC. The admissions officer who conducted the orientation session emphasized the differences between the schools. He gave a detailed discussion of the history of the Consortium, stating that the original master plan of the consortium was to have 10 colleges, each with a different emphasis. He then gave his personal view of each of the current 5 colleges. (He didn’t disparage the other 4, however.) Suggest that you be knowledgeable about some particular features of CMC and emphasize how you would be able utilize these resources. Also, strongly suggest that you say nothing negative about any of the other 4 colleges.</p>
<p>You may also be interested to know that this same CMC admissions officer seemed to have researched everyone who had made an appointment to tour that day. He was able to link each student’s name with their high school and was familiar with almost all of the high schools. He also asked socratic type questions of the audience during his presentation. We didn’t encounter this at any other school we toured.</p>
<p>You should enter the CMC orientation session with the assumption that your “interview” has begun at the start of the orientation session, rather than at the start of the interview. I got the feeling that the CMC admissions officer was taking note of which students were paying attention to his presentation and how they participated during the session.</p>
<p>Overall, the interview experience was more laid back at Pomona than at CMC, and the latter had a little of the feel of making an impression in the business/professional world.</p>
<p>Hope this helps. Good luck.</p>
<p>Santeria:</p>
<p>I now realize that I answered your question in reverse. You actually wanted advice for your Pomona interview, not your CMC interview. Much of the previous answer would apply. Say nothing negative about CMC. If you are visiting CMC after Pomona, just say that you don’t know enough about CMC to answer the question. However, I would be surprised if the Pomona interviewer would ask you why you preferred Pomona over CMC. Our daughter’s interview at Pomona was not stressful, more like a conversation. Be yourself.</p>
<p>I know a good deal about both schools (a relative goes to CMC) and right now I have no preference. I’m not doing a CMC interview because they are informative, not evaluative, so its unnecessary. I’m doing a tour of both schools before I interview, so I’m not going to lie and say I don’t know enough to make a judgment. Plus I don’t see why I would tell them I came to California and I don’t know anything about CMC. </p>
<p>The best answer I can think of would be that I’m interested in a variety of subjects and CMC is focused on government/politics/economics, therefore Pomona would be a better fit for me.</p>
<p>Thanks for the advice though (and the CMC information)… I’m glad the Pomona interview is casual.</p>
<p>Quote from the CMC website:</p>
<p>“Interviews at CMC are informational in nature, not evaluative. You should expect to get answers to any quesitons you may have about CMC or the admission process. Also, expect to discuss why you think a CMC education could be right for you.”</p>
<p>My question: If the interview is strictly informational, why should the student “expect to discuss why you think a CMC education could be right for you”? Clearly, the CMC interviewer is going to be evaluating the answer to this question, and to other questions as well, and is going to be making judgments about how the student carries him/herself.</p>
<p>There are a number of colleges that say that interviews are informational, not evaluative. Even if this is the stated intent, any interview results in the formation of impressions, by both parties. I just can’t imagine that the interview has no effect whatsoever on the admission process. A particular school’s policies and procedures may minimize this effect but won’t eliminate it.</p>
<p>Hypothetical question: If CMC knew that an applicant had come all the way from out of state to visit the Consortium and didn’t spend an extra hour to interview, how would that affect their perception of the applicant? (I don’t know the answer.)</p>
<p>If a school’s policy is to not have evaluative interviews, then the interviewer’s opinion of the student won’t effect the application. This is all assumption… Its possible that they check a box that says you did have an interview, but unless you interview with the admission officer that reads your application, it won’t effect it (usually). I don’t know why they ask you evaluative questions. </p>
<p>As for the hypothetical question: Like I said before, I have a relative that goes to CMC, so an informative session with a student isn’t necessary (the application asks you if you have family at the school). This will also show that my interest in CMC is legitimate.</p>
<p>Fair enough. Good luck with your visit to Claremont.</p>
<p>For guys, I’d recommend khakis and polo shirt - not shorts. Informal = business casual.</p>
<p>You may be asked about the other schools to which you’re applying. If so, and if they ask why Pomona - be honest. If Pomona is higher up on your list than CMC, explain those positive factors about Pomona that caught your interest and why it might be a better fit for you.</p>
<p>Above all, be prepared to ask questions other than those for which you can find answers in the viewbook or on-line. Good luck!</p>
<p>When I interviewed I wore jeans and a sweater and so did my interviewer (I’m a girl).</p>
<p>She (interviewer) was a junior at Pomona. It started with her asking about my hs classes, but after that we just talked about what subjects/ecs I’m interested in and her experience at Pomona.</p>