<p>I have an interview with an alumna from Smith tomorrow morning. For those that have already had interviews, are there any suggestions you could give me? </p>
<p>For example, do the interviewers focus on specific questions (i.e. What academic field are you most likely to pursue?; What organizations/clubs would you like to join at Smith?; Why did you apply to Smith?) or do they allow the interview to go in whichever direction it naturally leans?</p>
<p>What she wont, an better not, ask are your grades or SATs</p>
<p>If the interviewer asks what other colleges youre applying to, and she may, list only your safeties. I dont consider that lying by exclusion. In reality, I dont feel its a necessary question or any colleges business.. If Smith is your 1st choice (and it honestly is ) make that abundantly clear. I can make a big difference if youre on the fence, so to speak.</p>
<p>Oh yeah, I HATE it when college interviewers ask what other colleges one is looking at. I never know what to say...should I include my reach schools? Should I pick several that are all of the same caliber?</p>
<p>My D had two interviews on the same day: one at Smith and one with an alumna. Neither asked her about other schools she was applyng to; that were more interested in learning about her as a person. (interestingly, however, is that she also had interviews with Brown, Wellesley, Tufts and Brandeis; and all of them asked about other schools she was applying to). I remember the conversation that we had after her two Smith interviews and my D remarked that her Smith interviews were much more personal in nature. The others were more business like. Her Smith Alumna interview was at her home about a one hour drive from where we lived, and she was a joy to meet. Granted that was a rather busy day, and we logged a lot of miles, but very worth it in the end. All of her thoughts and beliefs regarding Smith were solidified by the end of that day!</p>
<p>Both asked her questions about potential majors and what she enjoyed studying. Why she thought Smith was right for her? And quite honestly, they let the conversation go in the direction my D felt comfortable with. (at least that's what she says). I wasn't in the room, obviously.</p>
<p>Just relax and be yourself; and as stated before, if Smith is your first choice, by all means let them know that and tell them why.</p>
<p>Only 10 in the morning EST and so much to say! My D also wished to add these words as well. "Smith is the only place that really cared about me and who I am. They asked about my home life, my current high school, why I want to attend an all girls school, and let me talk in great length about my love "ballet". "They cared about me, ____ the young woman who will embarking on a new pursuit in life, they asked me about my dreams and aspirations." Other colleges just wanted to know "why them?"</p>
<p>No...She was admitted ED II for class of 2010. Currently finishing up her high school studies. Although, she can't wait to get started; I don't think I've ever seen her so excited about something other than performing and dancing ballet. Are you applying to Smith for the same class?</p>
<p>Yes, I am applying to Smith for the Class of 2010...however, I applied under Regular Decision. How exactly does ED II work? Is it binding? I did Early Evaluation for Wellesley, but it's not binding. I'll find in late Feb.</p>
<p>Coquettish...yes, ED II is binding. My D was quite positive about Smith being her first choice however. After visiting three times, two interviews, talking to students, the place just is a perfect fit for her. She also had apps into Brown and Wellesley as well. She was earlier deferred by Amherst. I must say she enjoyed writing her letters of "thank you but no thank you." Especially to Amherst where as she said, "Now I can tell them I'm not interested." <em>LOL</em></p>
<p>Awesome, your daughter must be relieved that she is already in college! <em>sigh</em> I wish I knew I was already accepted somewhere. Nevertheless, second semester of senior year is so chill, it's amazing!</p>
<p>Senior year is not so chill for her, unfortunately. She's taking three AP's and is fighting for class standing (currently #2). Makes the year go by faster, she says.</p>
<p>Coquettish, I noticed you're very excited about Wellesley also. Have you visited either college? They're very different colleges in /very, very/ different types of towns. Smith has the 5 college consortium and an incredible pre med advising dept. The admission officer at Duke Medical informed me of that fact. But Im sure Wellesleys is excellent too.
Dont pick a college because you love the alumna interviewer or admission officer, Smith included---my daughter almost made that mistake with a LAC in Maine. Thankfully, she visited and found she was less enamored with the area and college than expected. Without the visit, there's chance she might be a student there today. Interviewers are handpicked and arent always a true representation of the student body as a whole. That certainly was the case regarding both Wellesley and Smith for my daughter. There was an issue with another LAC in Maine. The women was wonderful, but at 60+ really didnt have her finger on the actual pulse of what the college life was actually like.</p>
<p>Visit and meet numerous students before you make a final decision. An overnight would be great, if possible.</p>
<p>Great luck with your Wellesley EA decision and your college search</p>
<p>OT-- You mention you live in the middle of nowhere. Its none of my business, but what state? I've lived in half the US so I'm sure I can relate :)</p>
<p>I agree. If my daughter had picked a college based on "best interview" or "best ballet experience," she'd be at Barnard. She has further scoped out Barnard through either friends or friends of friends and is confirmed in her opinion that she made the right choice.</p>
<p>i would offer a slightly different read on the "what colleges are you applying to?" question. In my interview, which was at smith with an admissions officer, the question did come up. i never considered "gaming" the answer, and told them the truth--an ivy, a few large research universities, and one place overseas in the country where i'd spent a year as an exchange student. the counselor told me how much a family member had liked the ivy i was applying to (in fact i ended up applying ED there but got deferred then rejected) and i remember feeling weird about the whole thing, like maybe i hadn't convinced them enough that i really liked smith (and I did! i mean, I was reading Jill Ker Conway's book on the trip to campus!). Clearly it all worked out fine though, because i got in, i got a big scholarship, i came, and i love it. </p>
<p>just tell the truth and don't worry about saying the "wrong" list of colleges. I believe they can see which other schools you sent your FAFSA to, anyway.</p>
<p>Funny, but when D (with us in tow) was informally interviewing someone at Mory's [faculty club] at Yale and asked what schools D was applying to, when D got to "Smith", the Yale employee interrupted and said, "Now that's a really great choice." Did not interrupt about H, S, Wellesley, Barnard...just Smith. </p>
<p>I'm so glad that period of time is passed...I was about ready to start chewing my moustaches.</p>
<p>Good adcomms know the schools you applied to because of the paperwork you fill out and the fafsa. Perhaps some ask that question to get a rise out of you, and to try and make sure that their college is your number one choice. I still disagree with the question, and I don't believe it belongs in an interview. </p>
<p>I, too, am so glad that the process is over. I don't have a moustache, but my toenails are rather short.</p>
<p>
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Awesome, your daughter must be relieved that she is already in college! <em>sigh</em> I wish I knew I was already accepted somewhere.
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</p>
<p>Coquettish...yeah, she really is; and to a great college to boot! Fear not, dear Coquettish, this too will end well for you. </p>
<p>Sounds like you will have two wonderful schools to choose from if all works out. Choose carefully, do your homework, talk to students, etc. Gather as much information about your major or intended major as you can, and visit more than once. These schools are alike in the fact they have all girls as a student body. There are different feels on campus, and each one has so much to offer. Depends what rocks your boat, I guess. Although, obviously, I am a huge supporter of Smith.</p>
<p>Hehe, thanks for all the great information! Yes, I love both Wellesley and Smith a lot and have recently had interviews with alumnae of both schools. I understand that you cannot judge an entire institution on one woman. I will definitely visit campus and stay overnight with a student. I'm sure the experience I have with freshmen will be very different from my experience with graduated alumnae. LOL, and I'm from VA. Not as exciting as Northampton or Wellesley!!!</p>
<p>Ummm...Northampton and Wellesley are two very different towns. Northampton is rather...ummm....eclectic (seems to be the right choice of words). Lots of people watching, shops, eateries, and theater (very liberal). Wellesley is (to me) a little stuffier and not as liberal. Not as much to do either, as the town right outside the college is quite small with not much to do. I would think that the women of Wellesley go to Boston for any nightlife outside of campus.</p>
<p>Footnote on going to Boston from Wellesley: figure an absolute minimum of 90 minutes for round-trip transit, two hours or a little more being more realistic.</p>
<p>Having driven between Boston/Wellesley a couple of times, I can say that in Old Country the traffic engineers who designed the road system would now be in Siberia examining commuting patterns of the woolly mammoth. It's of no help that in Massachusetts those white lines on the road are purely decorative, left-turn lanes rare to non-existent (hence the famous "Boston left," executed by edging your car across the lanes, bringing traffic to a halt until you get across), that merging is accomplished with a "get theah the fustest with the mostest" philosophy, etc.</p>