<p>Similar to the fellow thread on college admissions, I was wondering if any international student wants to share their experiences with college interviews. How are they like? </p>
<p>Do they ask specific questions for internationals, like what is the difference among your school system and the US one? Do they know better your country or the US? Do they speak to you in your native language or English?</p>
<p>Let's share our experiences about interviews here.</p>
<p>I had my interview in the US because I go to school here so I don't know if it's any different. But the general consensus is that students way overvalue the importance of college interviews. Interview recommendations are rated very lowly compared to GPA, test scores, essays...And do know that interviewers generally want to help you, not assess you. For most of my interviews, we talk about random things like politics, sports, travelling...I asked them questions about the schools. They asked me questions about how's life in the states. Interviews was very casual and informal. </p>
<p>Like I said, I don't know if it's any different with local interviews but don't worry too much as interviews are weighted very lightly.</p>
<p>well in my case, they were all in spanish cuz all the interviewers were peruvians. Both interviews lasted aprox 1 hour and 15 minutes and we talked about my school, my passions and my ECs; then we also talked about the current situation of the country.
Also the interviewers told me about their college and their experiences there. </p>
<p>I think interviews can be very random, but it's almost sure u'll be asked why you want to study in the U.S or sth like that. Then I don't think there is a big diference between a local and an abroad interview.</p>
<p>I had one for Columbia University in Hong Kong. The interviewer was American. He spoke to me in English. He seemed preoccupied with how well I knew the English language, and although it was clear 5 minutes into the interview that my grasp of English is perfect, he kept asking me inane things like 'Are you sure you can cope with ALL instruction in English?' and 'Will knowing English only for 16 years really be enough?'!</p>
<p>I didn't have a single interview :)</p>
<p>One college I applied to had an interviewer contact me; an American lady close to retirement age. She lived about 150 miles away from my house but in such a remote area that reaching her with public transportation would have taken 8 hours one way (I do not have a driver's license btw) and I was not comfortable with a phone interview, so we ended up canceling the interview. I was accepted nevertheless.</p>
<p>My brother had no interview and got in ED at Cornell.
I had 2 interviews for "perspective" students at Yale and Wellesely. Both were really impressed with my English- that was funny- how they kept bringing that up. But yes I think interviews are not that evaluative at all, so dont worry. They answer more of your questions than theirs.</p>
<p>And one more thing. Getting an early interview gives you a chance to get in touch with someone from that school. They are very helpful. The interviewers that is- and I'm sure will answer your questions later on as well.
One of mine was by a senior and the other interviewer was an admission officer/faculty member. Both were extremely relaxed and yet very informative for me.</p>
<p>i had an inteview with Princeton university last year. The interview was unusual well becuse it was over the phone(at last a use for the phone numbers they ask for in the common app). But the interviewer was nice and really tried to get to know me better. He also provided me the chance to get some bground info about the school. Overall it was a very Thrilling experience.</p>
<p>just curious. did you guys have to bring along anything? like.. i don't know, your curriculum vitae, or something like that?</p>
<p>and another thing.. what did you guys wear? haha.</p>
<p>limitedvobab:</p>
<p>I didn't bring anything with me except a purse with the usual things.</p>
<p>"and another thing.. what did you guys wear? haha"</p>
<p>it was summer when I had both interviews so:</p>
<p>1st time: jeans, sandals, and a summer t-shirt </p>
<p>the girl who interviewed me wore sandals, a long skirt and a summer t-shirt.</p>
<p>2nd time: a skirt, sandals, and a t-shirt</p>
<p>the man who interviewed me wore sandals, normal pants, and a shirt.</p>
<p>I dressed very informal cuz I knew that both of my interviewers were really young (22, and 25 years old)</p>
<p>I had interviews for Princeton and Dartmouth, but they were more like info sessions. I didn't get into either of the schools but the interviewers were very nice people.</p>
<p>lol..same here!..rejected by Yale and Princeton, both of the interviewers were really really nice.. the man from Princeton told me at the end of the interview "when u go to Princeton, don't forget to teach everyone there to salsa!" haha =S!..anyways..</p>
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the general consensus is that students way overvalue the importance of college interviews. Interview recommendations are rated very lowly compared to GPA, test scores, essays...
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<p>in that case, should i still go for any interviews available for me anyway? even if the school isn't my top choice?</p>