TASS 2016!!!

@Intelligent08 I’m having mine tomorrow at a relaxed café. I have one interviewer as far as I know. Wish me luck!

Hope you do well! How did it go by the way? @Hamlon

@Intelligent08 Thanks! I feel like it went really well. I meditated right before and didn’t freak out. It’s hard to be nervous when talking about something you’re truly passionate about.

I just got an email today from my interviewer, I’m still setting the date

Still not contacted yet. So anxious X_X

I just wanted to ask you a few questions about your interview if you don’t mind: @Hamlon

  1. Any advice for others?
  2. How long was it?
  3. Did they talk to your parents?
  4. Did they ask questions beyond just your essays (like your book list or school activities or issues above just what you wrote in your essays) ?
  5. Did they talk about current events?

My interview was like a conversation. I only had one interviewer, so yours might be different. My interviewer shared many of the experiences I’ve had and we both share an interest in STEM. They aren’t trying to make you uncomfortable. Their job is to learn how you think. My interviewer gave me tips about going through life in general and that it will be hard some days being a black female in STEM.

  1. My advice is to be yourself and be genuine about your reasons for wanting to attend.
  2. My interview was supposed to be an hour, but we went over by 20 mins because we were just talking.
  3. They met my mother and let her know she could ask them any questions about the program.
  4. The interview was mostly about my essays, but he did ask about one of the books on my list. It wasn’t a really specific question, but more philosophical. If that makes sense. It was really cool because they introduced me to Octavia Butler. I’m going to read all of her books right now.! They also asked me about the significance of my listed activities in shaping my perspective/life. Be prepared to have everything about your application looked over. They will ask questions that go into what you truly believe about the issues you wrote. Expect questions to go beyond what you’ve specifically wrote down on paper.
  5. Not really because I was the one who brought them up in my answers. I really enjoy reading articles and felt like it was necessary (for me) to use real world examples in my answers.

There is no reason to fret about the interview. Most of the questions they ask will not have easy answers you can prep for. This is the way they want it. You will already have an answer though because of the themes you cover in your essay. Make sure you understand the main idea of your 1st or 2nd TASS choice. Mine was Michigan, so they asked, “what does it mean to be black?” Just be yourself. The interview is an opportunity in and of itself to explore how you truly see the world. Use this opportunity to its fullest just like you did with your essays.

@dannydalt64 I wouldn’t want to speculate.

I had my interview yesterday–I wouldn’t try to prepare too hard for the interview because your interviewers are coming up with questions specific to your application when they read your application. The majority of my interview was them asking me how I would change/what I would change to solve social issues that I wrote about. It’s very tailored to your application, so I wouldn’t worry too much.

For those of you who have had an interview or have been contacted for one, what is the first letter of your last name? Just want to know if they contact people in alphabetical order because mines is U so maybe that’s why I haven’t contacted me yet.

@Intelligent08 G. I think it’s just based on how many interviewers you have, the number of applicants in your area, and how much time the interviewers have in their schedules.

Has anyone else had/gotten 4 interviewers?

Just got an email for my interview!!! Don’t know how many interviews yet

after the interviews, it’s just waiting around for the end of april to when they notify you of your acceptance or not :-<

How did yours go @notoriousbg ?

@dannydalt64 I thought it went okay–they had me analyze a passage/critic it, but I agreed with the author so there wasn’t much I could say about it. They asked a lot of thought provoking questions I couldn’t answer immediately, so it was kind of eh… A lot of questions were really policy focused/related to pop culture. It was really discussion based, so you can’t really tell if you gave a right or wrong answer. I think it was okay? After the essay part there’s a 50% (60/120 ppl) chance of getting in so as long as your interview is coherent I guess there’s a good chance?

Sorry to bother you guys, just wanted to ask if your interviewer asked a question along the lines about why they should pick you or why do you want to attend there? @univbound101 @notoriousbig @zaniahb @Hamlon and any one else who had an interview so far.

@Intelligent08 sorry i cant help you i haven’t had my interview yet.

@Intelligent08 I have not interviewed either.

For those who have attended TASS before, what was your experience like?