So I have an interview with both Wellesley and USC coming up. I’m not as nervous for the Wellesley one as I am about the USC one, but my Wellesley one is in a week (I got the notification 2 days ago about interviews) so my mind is a little frazzled (staying up late trying to finish Yale app…).
Any tips from people who have had these interviews? Both are with alums, not admiss officers…???
jessica725, I had my MIT alum interview 4 days ago. It might sound weird but I thought it was fun. Of course it can be nerve racking, but it got better when we started to talk. I think a interview is a great opportunity for us applicants to show that we are more than our test scores and essays. My interviewer didn’t ask anything about my grades or scores. It was a casual discussion of my interests, ec, and MIT itself. We even talked about politics among other things. Overall it was a pleasant 90 mins. Just be calm and be able to articulate your thoughts in a polite and intelligent manner. As far as asking questions go, I just improvised. Good luck.
Luofernando: thanks!
But I was thinking maybe I should bring a resume? I kind of don’t want to, just because I want to make myself more HUMAN and less STUDENT, if that makes sense. But at the same time, I know the interview is supposed to be a time that I can explain some things that might have affected my grades…Or is that really only possible with actual admission officers? not alum?
^ how about you bring it w/ you just in case?
and then if say, something about resumes or an activity on your resume pops up, just pull it out and be like, “I brought this just in case…” <–maybe this will make you look super prepared and ready for college 
Great!!! Thanks. That’s a good idea…
about bringing supplemental materials…interviewers are not really suppose to look at your academics. At least thats what my interviewer told me. I brought my resume, and my science research paper. He took the paper, but preferred to know nothing about my grades and scores. If you have anything that showcases your talents (e.g artwork, music, research, etc.), bring it. As long as it is appropriate for the place and the nature of the interview. Additionally you interview is a chance for your interviewer to
“paint a potrait of the interviewee and convey anything that you can’t convey through your application” -ma interviewer
just think of it like a very long additional information box you have to fill. But it actually talks back, and you MUST ask questions. Do try to talk as much as you can, the longer the better. I was surprised that mine went 30 mins over the intended hour.
^ but I also read somewhere that it yields conversation, so if there should ever be an awkward silence, the interviewer could look at the transcript and be like “oh, this class sounds interesting. did you enjoy it?” I don’t think Jessica should have it out in front of her necessarily, maybe in a mini-suitcase or a bag or something, but yes, I see your point.
Having it just in case though off to the side? Couldn’t hurt.
For anyone who has not had an interview yet and are wondering what they’re like:
Three of my friends already received interviews (2Yale, 1Knox)
I for Interviewer, F for Friend
For Yale-1 (these are rough outlines that my friend gave me):
Total time: 60 minutes
Feeling: Pretty good
For Yale-2
Total time: 75 minutes
Feeling: Great
For Knox:
Total time: 90 minutes
Feeling: Worked up [probably because of the debate] but absolutely fantastic
i m not sure if this happens to a lot of people, but my interviewer asked a few weird questions (e.g: did you receive formal preparation for this interview? do you have an admission coach? if you have all the resources in the world and no criticism, what would you do?)
First two are just straight forward “Huh? No, why?” for me. But the last one really threw me off track. If that happens, feel free to request sometime for you to ponder a question. Because unless you were coincidentally thinking about what you would do if you have all the money in the world, you might’ve really received formal preparation for this. And don’t rush your answers out. Who knows, you might get in over a 2400 SATer, 4.0 GPA b/c that kid can’t hold a conversation to save his life.
So I missed the deadline for applying for an interview for Pomona for early decision 1. Would you guys recommend applying without the interview, or to wait for regular decision with an interview? As far as stats go, 30 ACT, 3.9 GPA, 4 AP’s (two 2’s, two untested), four semesters of dual enrollment classes, and a small number of EC’s (Key Club, service learning abroad, Spanish club, and more minor things.) I honestly don’t know what to do, but need to decide tonight.
Hm, tough decision–I would still go with applying ED. I don’t know much about Pomona but in the grander scheme of things, the interview isn’t worth as much in the process as the other academic stuff, ECs, etc. If Pomona is your #1 school, you want to show that even if you missed out on that interview.
Alright, thanks for the advice. And for the record, it would be an alumni interview. Does this affect the answer at all?
I am going to visit my 1st choice soon and I will spend three days on campus. Some of you say to not bring transcripts but in my case I feel that I should give my transcript to the interviewer so I can clearly explain any discrepancy in my academic career. I was planning on dressing up in black, would I look too gloomy?
I want to bring:
Transcript
Resume with ECs
Letter from my former boss.
I did a major volunteer work at an embassy and the ambassador gave me a letter should I bring it? Colleges dont want us to throw letters all over the place but this has been my most important, inspirational and innovative work experience. On the other hand, I dont want to seem like I am showing off with that letter.
What do you guys think?
I am going to be going through an interview with the USC Marshall School of Business pretty soon. Any tips and advice specifically for USC interviews? Also, any general tips? Thanks
Ah, I have an interview in a few hours! Sooo nervous. Its my first one. If they say you don’t need to bring anything but questions…is it alright to just bring a few note cards with questions on them so I can remember everything I want to ask??
I just had an off-campus interview with an Ad com from Gettysburg. Being my first interview, I was so very nervous but the interviewer was so nice and it really felt like a conversation, not some kind of quiz. It was great!
I had an interview at Colgate University the other day, and I think it went very well. The interviewer was an admissions intern and a senior at the university. She was very personable and the conversation was easy to keep up. There weren’t any questions that came out of the blue, and it seemed as though the interview was more of a conversation than a question and answer session, which I appreciated.
I also had an interview at Hamilton College, which also went very well. The general set-up was the same as at Colgate, with the interviewer being an admissions intern who doubled as a senior at the college. I also had a great experience with this interview. He was very friendly and there was no difficulty in keeping the conversation going. There were two questions I had to think on my feet for. One was something along the lines of, “In thinking about all of your interests we’ve just discussed, tell me what about a semester-long class that you would design that would integrate all or most of those interests.” The other was, “Given all of your leadership positions, do you think that your personality stays constant throughout, or do you have to bring out some sides more than others when you change from role to role?” Neither of them were very hard, but I don’t think they’re your typical interview questions.
Bottom line: Loved both colleges, and had great experiences with both interviews.
Oh god. So I had my interview with a Duke alumni and it was like, the most painful hour of my life. I think I just smiled like an idiot and rambled on and on and on and on for like, an hour. She probably was like, *** does her answer have to do with the question???
But yeah, she said not to worry about her recommendation or w/e bc it’ll be positive, but…well…she could be lying and write something like DON’T TAKE HER IN, SHE WILL BRING DOWN YOUR SCHOOL. Ugh. T_T;
I wore a brown tunic dress (to my knees) with red belt and red shoes + gold bracelet. It was like, sort of formal but not like, really casual. So. :
We met in like, this small study room in a library and I was like…ah…cramped…space…
I kind of regret doing an interview now. Boo.
awww i’m sure it went better than you thought it did. there’s nothin u can do now so don’t worry about it. now i should practice what i preach…but keep ur fingers crossed!! and good luck!
btw, i’m normally very good w/interviews. but sometimes i’d get so nervous that i start to stutter and my lips start to tremble a bit. it’s like i can’t even pronounce words right. i hope that if i get an interview w/Penn, i don’t do that!
I have a question:
Typically, how long after the initial contact is the interview scheduled for? x____x My interviewer contacted me today, but I wasn’t home and I need to call him back. I seriously want it to be next weekend - is that too long of a wait to suggest? Are interviews usually scheduled only a few days after contact?