<p>I had an on-campus interview with a senior in late August. We met upstairs in the Admissions Office, and the interview started. At first, my interviewer asked me about school and the classes I was taking and what I thought of them. Then, he told me that he was a History major and we started talking about Historiography, Classics, and Literature. I told him about a couple of books I had read in the past few weeks and he seemed interested; I told him what I thought and that sparked another really great conversation. Before either of us realized it, the allotted interview time had well passed, and it had been an hour. I thanked him for a great interview, and he responded likewise.</p>
<p>So, although I did get to mention a few activities, I really did not even get to talk aout the significance of other things that I do (i.e. music and pole vaulting, both of which I would like to continue at Yale if I am admitted). All I am asking is what do you think of that? I figured that a great, impromptu conversation was valuable, but I do not have any experience with what an interview should consist of. I also made a conjecture that he probably found out more about me by talking about what we did than if I had just mindlessly rattled off my EC's and grades. Your input would be much appreciated!</p>
<p>This question might come off as a bit silly, but I'm gonna ask it anyway:</p>
<p>I'm a magician, and magic is a large part of who I am. If my interviewer asked me about myself I'm sure I would talk about this. Would it then be a good idea to bring a deck of cards or something in case she asks to see a magic trick? If she doesn't ask, should I offer? I feel like it's a more visual way for her to learn about me and also it would definitely be something she'd remember. Or is this too gimmicky? (no pun intended, fellow magicians)</p>
<p>thestever, I think that you should bring some magic props with you, just nothing too big and fancy. A deck of cards would probably be just fine. I know that if I were an interviewer, being shown magic would definitely be special and memorable, and you'd stick in my mind, separate from all the others I interviewed! That might be just me, but instead of an awkward, or not-so-awkward, conversation, adding in a few bits of fun of what you like would be amazing. =]</p>
<p>My interviewer asked for my SAT scores and my class rank. It was at the end of the interview though. Is that legal? I heard interviewers weren't supposed to ask about that because it could influence their evaluation.</p>
<p>omg--The interviewer wasn't supposed to ask about that stuff, it's in the guidelines that interviewers receive. However, many long-time interviewers have probably never read the guidelines because they've been doing it so long. Or perhaps the person was a new interviewer who never got around to reading the guidelines or forgot them. The questions don't invalidate your interview, however.</p>
<p>AA,
Thank you for the informative and considerate answers on this thread so far! While you have already indirectly answered several of my questions (and assuaged my interview fears!), there are still a few unanswered ... </p>
<p>I am applying RD. I sent in my Common Application and check, but have yet to send in my Yale Supplement or any supplementary materials. I am assuming they have opened my file; does that mean I have been added to the list for an alumni interview? Or, conversely, will I only be added once my complete application has been received by Yale? </p>
<p>I have an additional issue that I realize may be outside your realm of expertise, but I'm going to try anyways because I'm very torn about this. I have a dance DVD that I am submitting as part of the Common App Arts Supplement to all the colleges I apply to. Yale explicitly says it will not look at DVDs; they will, however, watch a YouTube video. Should I post my dance supplement video on YouTube? I would prefer not to (it seems a bit weird), but if it would hurt my chances for them not to see it then I definitely will. How important is posting the DVD? (Dance is one of my biggest ECs, but it's not like I'm applying as a dance major or minor.)</p>
<p>well, I would try to find some common ground in which to discuss. It makes the interview less stressfull and more memorable. My interviewer and I had a lot in common so that helped.</p>
<p>Sounds odd but I think that the biggest thing is to not be a geek. My interviewer told me that the last interviewee had six 800s and called him "interesting", with a negative slant. They would much rather talk to a real person than a person who is all numbers.</p>
<p>That being said, this "geek" will probably get in and I won't... :P</p>
<p>Thanks AA that's what I thought. My interviewer was a real old-timer. It was really more of a "how can I make your app look better" than a interview/conversation lol.</p>
<p>Do interviewers already have a good background of you before the date of the actual interview? Have they looked or reviewed your application at all? Do colleges already group you into a "strong candidate"/"fair candidate"/"strong reject" categories before the interview?</p>
<p>Just wondering because economics is on my application as an academic interest - which it is, but i'm wondering if I should be prepared to give a dissertations on how our current economic crisis occured...</p>
<p>I had put economics as number 2 in academic interest and biology as my first. I had an orthopedic surgeon as my interviewer and after we had briefly discussed biology we ended up in a 45 min conversation which started with him asking me about how our current economic crisis occurred, lol, which was followed up with whether or not i lean towards free market or governmental regulation and why...I'm assuming the conversation was a result of my having put economics as an academic interest on my app...though he asked me about the current econ in such a way that it also made it seem like a totally random question so I'm not entirely sure...</p>
<p>me=pomegranate -- why do you think you'll get pushed away and the "geek" will get in? The admissions process is something very unknown, and, judging by all the other forums, numbers are definitely not everything. Of course, you should have a fair amount of good scores, but just because you don't have perfect 800s on everything does not mean that you won't get in. good luck!</p>
<p>bwalker -- the interviewers, I don't think, read your application. The last time I had an interview, the interviewer knew my basic information (i.e. my name, birthday, gender, etc.) and whether I had handed in my application or not, but your interviewer most likely will not read your application. But you should be prepared to talk about anything on your application honestly. good luck!</p>
<p>AdmissionsAddict. My interview happens to be in the interviewer's home (is that unusual?). I feel like I should be bringing some sort of small gift since I'm going to her home. Is that a good thing to do? </p>
<p>Thanks in advance. You are awesome for answering all these questions.</p>
<p>It's unusual to have the interview in the interviewer's house because the interviewer handbook requests that interviewers not do that. Don't bring a gift. I think it would put the interviewer ill at ease and could be interpreted as bribery.</p>
<p>acceptd wrote: "Do interviewers already have a good background of you before the date of the actual interview? Have they looked or reviewed your application at all? Do colleges already group you into a "strong candidate"/"fair candidate"/"strong reject" categories before the interview?</p>
<p>Just wondering because economics is on my application as an academic interest - which it is, but i'm wondering if I should be prepared to give a dissertations on how our current economic crisis occured..."</p>
<p>Alumni interviewers are provided nothing beyond your contact info so they can write a completely "first impression" report w/o the bias of knowing other metrics. As far as discussion topics, just handle yourself well. If you don't know something or have an informed opinion on something, then say so.</p>
<p>I've had only one "in home" interview b/c my wife got called into work and it was too close to reschedule. I agree w/"no gift". I guess some flowers for the table would have been a thoughtful gesture! LOL</p>
<p>The answer is there if you read the thread.</p>
<p>Short answer: It depends on how the ASC Director for your territory runs things. In some areas, everyone gets an interview. In other areas, it's first come, first served. In other areas, there are interviewers "linked" to certain schools. In other areas, there are probably other strategies.</p>