<p>When does my D contact schools to try to set up an interview?
Do most tell her when to come (after she's applied?) or would it be better
in the spring of her junior year so that she can better find out if she's a
good fit for that school and vice versa? We'll be visiting a bunch of schools
over the next few months and I'm wondering if it makes sense to interview
while we are there as some of them are kind of far away.</p>
<p>Thanks for any input.</p>
<p>Some schools won't do any interviews until senior year; others are more flexible. Often you can check this on the admissions section of a school's web site. Some schools even let you schedule the interview on their sites.</p>
<p>Scheduling a couple of interviews junior year can be a good idea, for practice and, as you suggest, to get a better sense of fit.</p>
<p>Thank you for such a quick reply. I guess I'll have D check the websites of the ones we'll
be visiting in Feb and March.</p>
<p>If she does get an interview while we are visiting, how we'll she be able to dress appropriately? For the tour, in the winter, I'm sure she'll be wearing boots, is it acceptable
to change in the restroom of the Admissions Office prior to the interview? Are girls ok in
pants (not jeans)?</p>
<p>Boots and pants would be perfectly fine.</p>
<p>We happened to notice two of D's top schools (Bryn Mawr and Mount Holyoke) start scheduling interviews on specific days in junior year. Actually, they sent emails listing the dates, so we didn't "happen" to notice anything, but the point is that her dates for those schools are at the end of junior year.</p>
<p>If this is your first time through the college application process, let me just point out the term "interview" is misleading. These would be better called "one-on-one information sessions". Adults hear "interview" and assume it's like a job interview. College interviews are usually conducted by undergrads working in the admissions office and have little/no bearing on whether or not your child is admitted. They're really an opportunity for the person to learn a little about the prospective student and for you/your child to learn about the school. Clothing isn't a concern--probably clean and no holes is fine. (Anybody read that thread a while ago from the mom who was completely stressed about whether her D should take a water bottle into an interview??)</p>
<p>Re: timing, I'd say go junior year if your D is interested, although larger schools only want to talk to seniors. (I found my attempts during my DS's junior year pretty much a waste of time. He really wasn't interested. DS#2 is currently a hs junior and we really aren't doing anything til next year.)</p>
<p>My kids did the interviews as juniors and seniors. None were done by students, they were conducted by regional admissions people. All were non-threatening and interesting from what they told me. </p>
<p>As far as I was concerned it was more of a logistics thing. If we were visiting a school that was a few hours (or more) from home I would try to set up an interview. We made no visits just for an interview.</p>
<p>I beg to differ, interviews can be important. Yes its for the student to ask questions and learn about the school but the interviewer will also learn about the student.
My D was interviewed by current students, alumni and admissions people too, so it varied.
She mainly interviewed in the spring and summer of her Jr. year. She did have a few interviews her Sr. year.
Also I think looking presentable is important. Dress, nice pants etc. No jeans, imho.
You would not believe what i saw some kids wear to interviews.</p>
<p>Zoozer, My D just got accepted to Mt Holyoke :0)</p>
<p>
[quote]
Zoozer, My D just got accepted to Mt Holyoke :0)
[/quote]
Congratulations!!!! You must be so proud. Do you think she will attend?</p>
<p>She applied ED so she is contracted to go but it was her 1st choice anyway.
Stickers already on my car!
Yes, I am very proud of her.
She worked so hard to get to this point.
Is your D a jr now?</p>
<p>My daughter's first interview was her junior year, at a small LAC that was a safety for her. She was glad she did it, viewing it as good preparation for interviews she cared about later. She ended up not applying there.</p>
<p>The summer before her senior year she had on-campus interviews at two colleges she knew she was going to apply to. We worked them into family vacations -- and it meant two trips she didn't have to take the fall of her senior year. </p>
<p>I would hesitate to schedule an interview junior year at a college that might turn out to be a first choice, unless you had no other choice or if your kid is already a practiced hand at interviews.</p>
<p>
[quote]
She applied ED so she is contracted to go but it was her 1st choice anyway.
Stickers already on my car!
Yes, I am very proud of her.
She worked so hard to get to this point.
Is your D a jr now?
[/quote]
I'm sending you a hug and all the best wishes. What a wonderful school your daughter has chosen and I can only imagine the amazing things coming her way. I hope that you and she get to do the victory lap together from here till graduation!</p>
<p>She's a junior now and just gearing up the wheels of preparation. Oy.</p>
<p>Thank you.
Good luck to your daughter for next year.
its so exciting to watch them grow up. I enjoyed visiting all the colleges we went to as I am sure you will enjoy it too.
Does your D play sports?
My D plays soccer and runs track so she will be busy!</p>
<p>
[quote]
Does your D play sports?
My D plays soccer and runs track so she will be busy!
[/quote]
Those are great sports and you're right about the busy part. But that's often a good thing, right?</p>
<p>Mine fences (with swords, not stolen property!), but she's taking off this semester because she just has too much on her plate with the IB diploma and her internship.</p>
<p>I do alumni interviews for a top ranked LAC. Unless there are logistical reasons, I would advise doing interviews in the fall of senior year. At that point the applicants are that much more mature, should have a better idea of what kinds of colleges they might be interested in, and might have something interesting to say about what they did the previous summer. While the interviews are definitely intended to be a two-way conversation, with the interviewer trying to convey what the college is like and how the applicant might fit in there, we are also asked to rate the applicants on specific criteria. The interview reports are not the most important piece of the admissions decision, but they may make a difference in close situtations. So especially if your D has a top choice "reach" type school in mind, I would advise scheduling the interview in the fall of senior year.</p>
<p>poligirl-- a few other strategic points about interviews...</p>
<p>Unless a kid is sure of their college direction, interviews, IMHO, play an important role in shaping a direction and maturing the interviewee. I've seen much growth in my own 2 kids that have gone through this process, and I'd suspect the vast majority of kids benefit by interviewing. Its really quite remarkable. And its a whole host of benefits: learning how to research a school regarding the individual's potential fit, gaining confidence in chatting with adults, taking some of the mystery out of the application process, developing and fine-tuning one's own goals, and generally engaing in the whole college admissions process which can be a reluctant challenge at best to many at the start.</p>
<p>So I recommend attending as many interviews as possible, even with schools that are on the bubble of the kid's list as the list is developing. As dadx3 puts well, a certain maturity develops as time goes on. I've steared my kids by starting with interviews at schools that were closer to the "safety" end of the spectrum to remove a bit of the risk edge for the kid, and as maturity develops and goals become more evident to the kid, start plunging into the match & reach category.</p>
<p>Regarding timing, I too recommend starting as soon as possible in late junior year. Followed by getting a few done in the summer between junior and senior years, while visiting. This is really important....make sure interviews are scheduled when visiting. Its easy to say that you'll get back for an interview or wait for an alumni interview (if offered) later if the school remains on the list, but in my experience, its very very hard to get back & often best if campus interviews are offered. Fall of senior year is much busier (and important academically) than most imagine, making interviews then difficult to schedule. So do them when you can get them! Makes for more scheduling complexity during summer college trips for sure, but worth it.</p>
<p>Also, through each school's admissions info/website, your contacts, and here on CC, make sure you know if the interview is "evaluative" or "information-only". One should always prioritize securing evaluative interviews.</p>
<p>Thank you all for the helpful information. There certainly is a great deal to think
about when planning all this. I really feel for my D, having to go through tests
SATs, APs HSPAs, etc. while figuring out all this college stuff and studying and
trying to have a life. For those of you that this isn't the first time around, do you
feel your college/graduate student is well, well-adjusted?</p>
<p>I was worried that my daughter would be overwhelmed by doing all of her college visits in the Senior year. I would not have been possible since she wanted to apply early decision and most deadlines were between November 1st and 15th. That doesnt leave a lot of time.</p>
<p>We started in the spring of the Junior year and made 4 visits (informational and tours only). </p>
<p>Once my daughter narrowed down her top choices she had interviews in her senior year. It worked out well for her and we are glad she started early. The whole process is time consuming and totally frustrating. I personally feel the interviews made a huge difference, she got into the colleges she had interviews with. Two of the others that didnt offer them had the same stats for admission, one deferred her and the other out and out rejected her. So the choice is yours but I would start early.</p>
<p>It certainly makes sense to start the college visits in junior year. That's what we've done with our two older kids, and I'm planning on a college trip this April with our youngest. And it probably makes sense to do a couple of interviews at safety or match type schools before doing an interview with a highly selective reach type school. I still think, though, that the applicants will do a more impressive job in their interview in their senior year than in the spring of their junior year. I do alumni interviews as late as mid January. I'm sure most of the kids I talk to are more mature, and have more things to talk about, at that point than they would have 9 or 10 months earlier.</p>
<p>
[quote]
For those of you that this isn't the first time around, do you
feel your college/graduate student is well, well-adjusted?
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Yes, x3. Worry not. As an old CC friend said, "Sometimes the only way over it is through it." </p>
<p>Here: Each one had an extensive college-search process that represented their needs and abilities. They had safeties, matches and reaches. They were admitted some places and not to others, but because of all the effort invested, each feels today they went to the right/best possible place. Two have graduated and one's a sophomore. The graduates are using their educations effectively, albeit in unconventional jobs. They gained confidence to each move to their location-of-choice and set up post-college lives with carry-over and brand new friends. They're paying back loans. We visit. They express appreciation for their parents. </p>
<p>CC helps a lot because you can ask frank questions here that might not go over so well within your own circle of real-life acquaintances.</p>