<p>as international students, should we take the colleges' interviews? I ve heard that they usually help you. can someone explain the interview process in detail?</p>
<p>If you have the opportunity to take the interview, then do so even if you don't feel too confident about it. Chances are it will help rather than hinder you; plus you don't want to give the college the impression that you aren't really that interested in joining.</p>
<p>As for the interview process, you generally have to send your application first, after which I am not really sure what happens since I am yet to reach that stage. :)</p>
<p>Interviews are basicly a great thing for YOU.</p>
<p>Most top universities do hardly consider your interview in the application process. Of course you should not show up in your jogging pants or with pink/green "not-washed-for-three-months" hairs, but apart from that, you can hardly reject yourself. On the other hand side, you won't make a really strong point in your app process.</p>
<p>The interview itself is usually really informal (mine was on the phone) with an alumnus from the school who tries everything to make it relaxing and basicly it is. You will be told many things about the university and you may ask questions as well. Of course, the interviewer will ask you some in the beginning, just to start the whole thing - but don't worry about it, you won't struggle, if you prepare yourself a little bit.</p>
<p>Before my interview, I thought like half an hour about key experiences in my life (like in my case it was a stay in Australia), what distinguishes you from the other applicants (frankly, I was a little bit surprised by the question "how would your friends describe you" though it is a really common one), and WHY DO YOU WANT TO GO TO THAT UNIVERSITY.</p>
<p>The last thing is really important, because if you say you want to party hard, this is the wrong thing in a UofC interview ! Make yourself a list of things and get through them before the interview, or if it is on the phone, put it next to you.</p>
<p>However, especially on the phone, don't read it out and just look at it if you struggle. It's easy for the interviewer to get the impression that you might read a ready text out.</p>
<p>In the end, of course, your talking skills are needed. I had an easy job to lead the interview where I wanted it to be: Australia. 2 sentences and I was allowed to talk about it like 5 minutes. You can take over the lead, but be sure not to get your interviewer in a stranglehold.</p>
<p>Take the interview, if that's at all possible. It will only help you, esp. if you have several choices in May. They are really friendly, they know what they are talking about and nobody will kill you. How long it lasts ? Depends on you and the interviewer. On the phone they are naturally shorter (mine was 30 minutes), in real life (you might meet in a coffeshop or even at the alumni's home) they are between one and two hours and in the end you may cover topics which are not at all related with the university.</p>
<p>It could help to google your interviewer but that's a sensitive thing. I would keep personal things out of the interview and wouldn't touch them except your counterpart starts with it. </p>
<p>Finally, just be confident and not too nervous. Oh yes (generic) be yourself. Especially those who are no natives and thus not extremely good in English might feel overwhelmed but you will manage. Just try it out. Not everyone is a communicative person, but it will be essential in your later life to manage such situations and this interview is the perfect training for it.</p>
<p>Too bad my interviewers don't answer me yet...but no wonder they don't use email; one is of the '49 class! He must be around 80 years old...</p>