<p>We are visiting Chicago this summer and D is quite interested in the school.
Her gc thinks she is a strong candidate and we respect his opinion.
She can be very quiet when meeting new people and is not gifted at small talk. How necessary is it to have an interview at Chicago if you are otherwise an attractive candidate? Has anyone had one at Chicago? What was the experience like?
Thanks.</p>
<p>I don't think it's required, but it's certainly worthwhile! My interview wasn't that bad and was more laidback and interesting than my other college interviews. I had an alumni interview, though. Check out The</a> Interview--worth it? for a couple more Chicago interview experiences.</p>
<p>My S was admitted without an interview.</p>
<p>So was I. Admitted. Without an interview, id est. Alea iacta est (fake quote, by the way). Okay, I'm done.</p>
<p>Well, first of all, I can also be quiet when meeting new people (or I can not be quiet, it depends), but anyway, I think an interview can help. The interview might have been what got me in, because I had my interview after I was deferred EA, and then i was accepted, but I think it really depends on the interviewer. The younger the interviewer the better, I think. Oh, and i had an alumni interview, also.</p>
<p>My son said his interview at Chicago was one of the most intellectually stimulating experiences he ever had. It was really more of a wide-ranging conversation about human rights abuses, race, politics, etc.</p>
<p>S interviewed at Chicago yesterday and it went fine. The interviewer was fairly young and geeky (typical Chicago). I would strongly recommend having an interview if you are going to be there. Your D will do fine. It isn't a personality contest. It will show interest in the school- which goes a long way.</p>
<p>i, too, did the alumni interview, and as the other posters have said, it was quite the laid back experience. as my interviewer introduced it, our meeting was really more of an opportunity for me to ask questions about the school than for her to grill me on my application. </p>
<p>while my strengths are definitely in my people-skills, i'd still reccomend having one. it seems as though you'd have to do a lot for the interview to actually hurt your application.</p>
<p>Considering the lack of social skills that most people at this school have, I don't think the University sees interviews as a criticial thing. I did not have one, and got in.</p>
<p>I got in without an interview</p>
<p>The interview is mostly like a conversation. You kind of just talk for 30 minutes to an hour...and then if you did well the interviewer will come out gushing to your parents about how great a fit you are.</p>
<p>My interview was my shortest one, about thirty minutes...It's not a big deal, really. Just calm down, relax and pretend it's a conversation. Remember, you're also there to find out more about the university. And ask the interview about his experiences at Chicago. He will be more than happy to elaborate. People like to talk about themselves and it will demonstrate interest.</p>
<p>My interview went really well (on-campus with a grad-student and an undergrad student). It was laid-back and was basically just a conversation. Lasted about 45-50 minutes. I recommend it.</p>
<p>I agree with hmlee, my interviewer came out and started talking to my dad about what a great school chicago would be for me. It definately gave me a big confidence boost. Also, the interview itself was a lot of fun. Mostly we talked about literature, science, the implications of science, and philosophical beliefs about, war, god, and country. Quite stimulating and I hope for more when I get there.
I definately recommend the interview</p>
<p>I'm in the same boat. The school is my hands down, absolute, number one choice. Would going there for an on campus interview be seen as a helping factor when applying EA?</p>
<p>thatindiandude:
It could only help you. The interviewer asked me several times if I was going to be able to visit any other colleges (which I can't).</p>
<p>did you already interview at uchicago?</p>
<p>Yes. I have interviewed.</p>