Wellesley Interview

Colleges and Universities A-Z Wellesley College
1

<p>Hey guys! I just wanted to get any tips from you lucky Wellesley students on how you tackled the interview. I hear from a lot of people it's not a big deal, but still, i'd like for you to share your experiences and how it went for yourself. What do you suggest I do? What kinds of questions were you asked? Since i'm having my interview next week, i'm wondering...are there any specific places you think I should visit on campus while i'm there? I have been to Wellesley for the ALANA open house earlier this year, but i'm thinking of doing a little refreshing work. </p>

<p>Thanks so much!!!</p>

2

<p>I didn't interview with Wellesley, but I found these articles helpful for just interviews in general. I'm sorry I can't help with specifics, but hopefully it'll be useful in some way to you.</p>

<p>Interviews</a> Part I
Interviews</a> Part II
Common</a> Questions</p>

3

<p>The interviews are pretty relaxed. The only thing I remember is what I was wearing, so it couldn't have been very stressful. Have some questions ready about things that really matter to you. If you have any concerns about the campus culture or the educational philosophy or governance or anything, the interview is your opportunity for a truly responsive audience.</p>

<p>Given time, explore the nooks and crannies of the campus. There's a beautiful arboretum hidden behind the science center that's connected to the botanical gardens around Paramecium Pond. Walk up the hills and around the dorms and see how long it takes you to get from one place to the next. Drop by the buildings that house your departments of interest. If you like music and/or art, walk through Jewett. The half that's closest to the lake is art, the other side is music. There are some student galleries in the building (particularly upstairs), and the practice rooms are in the basement. Green Hall now houses a beautiful humanities center. The science center has some fun, very old elevators with manually closed gates.</p>

<p>Although there really won't be m/any students around, you will likely be able to see a little bit of what they're doing, or at least where they go. It's worth exploring.</p>

4

<p>I also did not do an interview for Wellesley, but I did four other successful interviews (ie the interview went well; I was only outright accepted to one of the schools but it had nothing to do with the interview) (all alumni interviews, BTW). My biggest piece of advice is that the interviewer is not out to get you the vast majority of the time. I won't claim that no one ever got a crotchety old man or a rude, brusque alum, but it is not the norm, IMO. None of my interviewers were like that. It's really a lot like...a blind date, I would say, only the interviewer is trying to see how worthy of a candidate you are for Wellesley instead of how worthy a romantic partner you would be. It's important to feel comfortable talking about yourself, your school, your family, and your interests and activities. I do think it is helpful to think about questions like "What is your favorite book?", "What do you think about X current event?", "What are a few words to describe yourself?", things like that. I didn't get a ton of those questions, but I did get a few, so I felt comfortable answering instead of being caught off guard. Also, (I know it's kind of late for this interview, but in the future) it's good if you talk fairly regularly with someone other than teenagers--your parents, your teachers, your boss or church leader or whatever. I've always enjoyed talking to my teachers and parents on a personal level, and so speaking to a strange adult wasn't much of a big deal. Finally, it is extremely rare for the interview to have more than an extremely minor effect on your application, in either the positive or negative direction. Sure, it's great when they go well and you feel like you have one more plus in your column, but unless you express some sort of bigotry or extreme social awkwardness (and even then, the adcoms will try not to jump to conclusions based on one person's report), the interview will not significantly impact the admissions decision. </p>

<p>Oh, and make sure you have some questions. They don't have to be mind-blowing...it's just helpful to establish yourself as actively interested in what it would be like to go to the college. And if there's anything you would like to convey to the interviewer, do your darndest to work it in (without being annoying, of course). Don't be too shy to steer the conversation gently, if need be--it's not rude, it's a good conversational skill that we all need to have. Good luck!</p>

5

<p>I loved my Wellesley interview--it was perfect.</p>

<p>I did it with an admissions officer, not an alumni, and she was a doll. Really really kind and calming, and kind of grandmotherly, which is always nice. And the other admissions officer I met who came to do a talk at my school was also a doll. So if you get either of them you're set.</p>

<p>I loved the interview mostly because the questions were really straightforward, nothing impossible or even very out there. My interviewer basically went through every subject I was taking, what I liked and didn't like, teachers, that sort of thing. I brought my transcript and she took a look at my gpa, not stellar in my opinion-- 4.3 weighted gpa, basically an A minus in all ap and honors classes, and told me it was fine, so if you have concerns they'll probably adress them. She was also understanding of my hatred of science, which was really nice--I am NOT a science person, her response "well don't worry, you cant be good at everything!" such a sweetheart.</p>

<p>Then a quick talk about extracirriculars, and in school activities. Touched on sports, but I do nothing competitive so we didn't really talk about it.</p>

<p>Do be prepared for the: How did you find out about Wellesley/ what attracted you to it? question.</p>

<p>I didn't have the: What do youi like about girls schools question, but supposedly some do.</p>

<p>SO yeah. Basic. No crazy like, who do you look up to the most, what are your best qualities silly questions that you have to bs. </p>

<p>GOOD LUCK!! I'm heading off to Wellesley this year and could not be more excited, my Wellesley interview was one of the things that convinced me it was the perfect school for me.</p>

6

<p>Thanks you guys! Everyone's statements were really helpful. Wellesley is still my #1 choice and I don't think i'm the best candidate for ED...so hopefully, this will show my interest, my priority, and my good personality to the admissions officers. I really can't wait for it since Wellesley is my all time fave no matter what!!!</p>

7

<p>I unfortunately didn't have such great luck on a great interviewer.</p>

<p>My interviewer spent most of her time at MIT rather than at wellesley so she didn't have answers about EC life at wellesley, and a lot of random questions.</p>

<p>She also forgot to submit her review of me and I was e-mailed by the organizer.
I honestly don't think it's a big deal, since I got in. </p>

<p>I think most alumni are trying to see if you're a good match or trying to help you to get into the school. They have a list of questions like Why Wellesley? Why all girls? (just look at the website) favorite activities? subjects? etc etc
It's really not too bad. don't worry about it too much and let yourself shine =)</p>

8

<p>I'm back from my interview, and I had a really nice time! I think I did well and did a good job of showing who I was inside and my philosophies in life...I think the woman who interviewed me understood where I was coming from and I was very grateful for that. I hope this will help me out on the long run! Thanks guys and hopefully, i'll make it!</p>

9

<p>I have an upcoming Wellesley interview and I would really appreciate it if some people could post more interview questions they were asked :DD thanks!</p>

10

<p>I just had my interview today, and it was really nice. I wasn't grilled or interrogated about anything too scary. I brought examples of my art and my transcript so we had something to talk about. My interviewer was really sweet and asked me questions about my art projects, and I told her about some of the contests that I did.</p>

<p>One question that I really had to think about was "how do you make a difference?" I think that at any interview, they will ask you a question that involves the idea of what makes you stand out. Other than that, questions generally are about your interests and personality, so it isn't that bad.</p>

<p>:)</p>

11

<p>I was asked something like "What has been the most difficult thing you've encountered since coming to college?" (I'm a transfer applicant.) </p>

<p>I wasn't really prepared for that...I think I ended up saying "Learning how to study" because I basically got by on my wits in high school. That might have been a poor choice, made me look like a slacker or something, but it was true.</p>