Well, since I live in stupid Michigan town with a middle class family there is no way I can do on-site interviews to some of the Eastern schools I am looking at. They suggested I look for an alumni interview. Has anyone ever done one of those?? I am scared and would just like to know what to expect. What do they typically ask? What do I wear?
Any advice on any sort of interviews might be nice…thanks!!!
<p>I'm sure some alumni from the school you're looking at live in Michigan... but anyway, about interviews...
Well I haven't actually been through a college interview myself, I'm at the same stage as you. But as far as interviews go, you should obviously dress well (but not very formal or anything), be polite, all that stuff. Try to act natural, and be honest. Don't just try to say what you think they want to hear.</p>
<p>As for actual questions to expect, I'm sure someone more experienced can help you out on that.</p>
<p>When I did my Harvard interview lo so many moons ago, I wore a sweater and a nice pair of pants. I don't really remember what the interviewer asked, but I'm sure it was along the lines of "Tell me about yourself" and "Why are you interested in attending Harvard" and "What do you think you want to major in" -- I mean, no trick questions or anything.</p>
<p>plenty of interview advice on the links found on this post:
<a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showpost.php?p=1046291&postcount=4%5B/url%5D">http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showpost.php?p=1046291&postcount=4</a></p>
<p>Do not wait a long time to request an alum interview..there are deadlines and alum networks are idiosyncratic from school to school..in other words, not reliable or the same.<br>
Do dress respectfully and if going to an office setting, wear office sort of attire. Starbucks means more relaxed but still don't show skin and be neat.<br>
Do prepare for the unfair but totally human question of "where does my alma mater fall on your list, please rank and tell me where else you applied." They shouldn't ask but many will ask. There is no right answer but be forthcoming...always say why alma mater is a Fit for you even if it is not your dream school, and compliment the strengths of said school.<br>
Do bring a written Activity sheet with your stats and main ECs. They can choose to ignore it but many are just plain curious. Do try to get some points across that you hope are in the writeup. By the way the Alum interview worksheets are sometimes available online for you to see..they do rate you and they do write in info that you must get across. Do listen and ask about their experience there and prepare to have them be in a reminiscent frame of mind, but make sure to get three points about YOU across.<br>
Stay open to all your favorite schools...you are not being fickle or dishonest, you are keeping your mind and options open. Don't allow one interview to cloud your enthusiasm or send you "over the moon" because this is one person (alum) only. Be early.<br>
The night before practice with a trusted parent or friend so that you don't hem or haw. Try to overcome your modesty and make sure to get across why you are a Match..this is not bragging folks, just intentional thinking. Be humble yet clear about yourself.<br>
good luck..oh and some people say to interview first at your Not Fave School to work on your jitters early and to get better at it..good advice.
Don't visit a campus as a junior or senior blind, and expect to walk around in a cranky state with your parents..arrive after a snack and in a good frame of mind to meet and greet. Recognize that you are already in informal interviews the minute you step on campus. Get addresses and emails and make brief cogent follow ups and thank yous.</p>
<p>at my interviews, i did everything that i would normally do. I didn't prepare or anything (other than mentally) and told them everything that I really felt. We talked about politics at nearly all my interviews. Hell, my discussions about politics went as long as two hours (Harvard,Yale,Princeton) and I was just myself. </p>
<p>As for college visits, I probably made the "mistake" of visiting blindly. I went to the tours relaxed and not really taking notes or totally interested. Also, I went to one particular information session (Princeton) and walked out five minutes into the session after I realized that I was not dressed for the occasion (me and my dad were in t-shirts and jeans, everyone else had suits) and that the atmosphere (preps, conservatives, etc.) in that room made me sick.</p>
<p>Of course, I probably wouldn't recommend doing the things I did (walking out of a info session is VERY rude... thank god the admin officer had no idea who i was) but I did get into all of my schools.... (HYPM.. not Stanford)</p>