I recently found out I was selected as a semi-finalist for the Robertson, and I have my skype interview this Sunday. Can anyone who has done the semi-finalist interview before give me some insight into what it will be like? How long will it likely be? What kind of questions should I expect?
I’m pretty nervous because I really did not expect to make it this far.
Thanks in advance! 
My son’s letter says it is a 20-minute Skype interview.
You will likely be interviewed by two people. They will start out quickly with intro and ground rules. They will then take turns firing questions at you. They will range from detailed questions about your application (further detail about roles, results, etc), to broad how will you change the world. You will feel like a ping pong ball and they will likely challenge some answers to see how you respond.
It is not like a typical alumni interview. It will be intense and you will likely feel challenged. Tough to prepare beyond knowing that they selected you already as qualified so don’t allow your confidence to waiver. Remember they saw something special in you among tens of thousands of other competitors. Just getting this far is a big deal and likely means you will have some great opportunities for schools.
This is based on my kids experience last year. He said he had fun with it but super intense. Know your application down to the last detail. Lastly you will be told up front hard stop in 20 or 25 minutes. It may seem like an abrupt stop…don’t worry it doesn’t mean you blew it.
Good luck.
@Nocreativity1 Based on your experience with your son, do you know how many semifinalists became finalists last year?
I don’t recall him mentioning a specific number but more people then he had expected. I will ask him to estimate.
@Nocreativity1 Thank you so much for your reply! I am much less worried now that I have an idea of what to expect.
I am planning on reading over my application a few times. I am also thinking about what my general response would be to questions about why I want the Robertson Scholarship and what my plans are for the future. Nothing too intense though!
Does that seem like the right way to go about “preparing”?
^Again just based on how the interview was described to me, I would be prepared not to be in control or even an equal partner in where it goes. They deliberately challenge and try to take it out of your comfort zone. It is a “professional” interview not an alumni exchange of info.
Best advice is be confident, don’t get flustered, be honest and go in with a key theme or two you want to convey. Once again good luck and please update how it goes and if your experience is consistent with what I have described for others.
FYI my son was a direct semi finalist having been sent directly from Duke addmissions. May be a different approach.
@Nocreativity1 Thanks for the advice! I will update on Sunday!
@afewquestions1 Good luck!
You should be very proud no matter the outcome!!!
Has anyone had their semifinalist interview yet? How was it? Had mine yesterday - wasn’t expecting it to be basically all about my ECs!!!
@sophie_m I have mine Sunday! What kind of questions did they ask about your ECs? Did they ask you any questions that surprised you?
Kind of, I was surprised that basically the whole thing was about ballet and what that meant to me etc. But it was okay, fingers crossed haha. Let me know how yours goes! @afewquestions1
That’s interesting! Was it only twenty minutes? Also were your essays only about ballet? Interesting that they did not touch upon any of your other interests. Good luck btw! @sophie_m
@afewquestions1 yup, just 20 mins, and nope my essays were completely different haha. How did yours go?
Does anyone know when notifications for who qualified as a finalist comes out?
@pri267 The website only says March. My daughter is a semifinalist too, waiting to hear…
I know that last year it was around March 9th-ish. I’m hoping its sooner for our sake! @pri267 @anna8691
decisions are out. good luck to those who will move on.
Were you named a finalist (from the high school applicant pool)? Or did you receive a rejection email? If a finalist, for Duke or UNC? Anyone else heard back?