In mid June, I’m going to my first interview at the University of Chicago. I have no idea what to say. This will also be my first time in Chicago and legitimately on a college campus. I intend to have a premed schedule, and I think I might major in chemistry or neuroscience.
What questions do I ask, and what am I to expect?
Thanks
<p>just make sure you keep the conversation going. The interviewer will have a list of questions ranging from your ECs (asking about what you've done, leadership) to your hobbies and passions and career goals. Just treat it like a friendly chat but make sure the conversation flows. When the interviewer is done asking the questions, just ask a few questions about chicago to show your interest in the school. Preferrably you research about the school before going to the interview just to get a feel in case a curve is thrown at you. But make sure you relax and be yourself.</p>
<p>bad way to start off. Pick some colleges nearer to you and have interviews "just for fun", in other words schedule interviews and see how it goes. You don't want your first time to be for keeps.</p>
<p>One of the most important times is when they turn to you and ask if you have any questions. I guarantee you'll be asked this, and its not just to fill time. Its your turn to show you've done your homework and can ask cogent questions that show you know about the particulars of the school and have read the material available in the viewbook, on the web, etc. and have considered yourself as a student there and what questions would arise.</p>
<p>Talk to them like a normal person, discuss the school, be amiable.</p>
<p>Don't stress about the interview. Just be honest about why you want to go to Chicago, and do have some questions.</p>
<p>Interviews are fairly easy to overcome. It's all about you, the interviewer, and a normal conversation. Helps if it's at a cafe or something. =)</p>
<p>The most important thing to do is to take the time to thoroughly review their website and viewbook and to think about what you have to offer the college and what it has to offer you. This includes take the time to look at info about courses and professors in departments that you're considering taking classes in or majoring in.</p>
<p>What the interviewer will be doing is finding out what you have to offer U of Chicago, so the more aware you are of what kind of school they are, the better prepared you'll be for the interview.</p>
<p>Take the time, too, to look at the CC board on U Chicago to find out other tips and info. It also could be a good idea to post there asking for suggestions.</p>
<p>As someone suggested, it's also a good idea to have some other college interviews before interviewing at a very competitive college like U Chicago or before interviewing at a college that might be one of your top choices. If you can't do that, do some mock interviews with your parents, GC or friends.</p>
<p>Other than looking neat, what you wear to the interview is not as important as what you say. It also can be helpful to bring something like a research paper that you've done or to bring an activity sheet and your transcript.</p>
<p>It's extremely important to make sure you 'jibe' with the person. Make sure you don't interrupt him, but also make sure you don't let any awkward pauses ensue. Make sure there is a rhythm to the conversation.</p>
<p>Basically - talk like you would to a good friend. If you don't feel like that - force yourself to. Formal = bad.</p>
<p>Northstarmom, you could not have stated it any better.</p>
<p>When I went to my 2 interviews, I highly stressed what I could bring to the campus and how I could enhance it, not how much I could take from it. I used brochures and the online websites to find clubs unique to the universities that also helped to show my passions that I have developed in high school.</p>
<p>An interview is a time for a member of the school or an alum to get to know the next generation of student. Alums do this because they love their alma mater's and want to see it thrive. Help them get a better understanding of that by making polite conversation and being interested in them as well.</p>
<p>Does anybody know of solid questions I should ask that won't make me look like an idiot? I've reviewed a lot of things from the school, but no questions loom in my mind...</p>
<p>Solid questions? Um... Ask about some unique things at the university---if you really are interested in it. </p>
<p>When I went to Tufts interview, I asked about the Experimental College. During MIT interview, I asked about the UROP program and the opp for double-majoring. During Dartmouth interview, I asked about the D-plan (dartmouth's semester system), and opps for studying abroad. </p>
<p>You could as well ask about food, dorm, profs etc if you really are concerned about any of them. But i don't think your interviewer would say that any of these is awful---you must love ur school so u volunteer to interview prospective students, right? </p>
<p>Some colleges have interesting housing programs, you might well see through the housing website to get a breath about it... </p>
<p>Before going to the interview, i recommend reading Jay Matthew's article on commonapp's homepage. <a href="https://app.commonapp.org/JayMathews.htm">https://app.commonapp.org/JayMathews.htm</a> This article is really helpful.</p>
<p>If your interviewer is someone from the adcom who might have read your app, you should definitely reread your app before the interview so you won't make conflicts btw your apps and your speech. You'll look dishonest if the
info in your apps oppose what you speak. And, certainly, colleges don't like dishonest students.</p>
<p>Remember last thing: prepare to tell your interviewer three important things, one of which must be a strong reason for you to attend the university.</p>