<p>I've seen interviews being mentioned throughout this site and I'm just wondering what they really are. What happens at an interview? Are they really important? How should I sign up for one? If I live far away from the college, how should I get an interview? When do interviews take place-- during the summer or after I applied?</p>
<p>Sorry for all of the questions. I'm the first to apply to US colleges in my family, so I need all of the advice that I can get. </p>
<p>Thanks. </p>
<p>As far as I know, the interviewer has a list of interests/activities that you have indicated participation in. They go through the basic questions like “Why our college?” and then try to have a sort of conversation to see the qualities you possess as a candidate. They’re not too particularly important, but they can be the tipping point when it comes to applicants similar enough in stats.</p>
<p>I just had lunch with a Brown alum interviewer yesterday, so yeah. ._.</p>
<p>The VAST majority of colleges offer NO interviews. A few offer informational ones (vs evaluative). A few require/strongly suggest them. What sorts of schools are you considering? Share your list and we can shed more light.</p>
<p>Well, so far, I have Northwestern, MIT, Brown and Georgetown among others.</p>
<p>Hey there! I applied to three of the schools that you mentioned, so here goes…</p>
<p>Georgetown sets you up for an interview after you submit Part I of the application. You’ll be matched with an alumni in your area and given their contact information, but you’ll have to set up the interview yourself. I don’t know how heavily they’re weighted, but they’re definitely on the evaluative side. Be sure to know how to answer
“Why Georgetown?” and “What can you bring to campus?” Consider bringing a resume so that the interviewer has an idea of your scholastic profile. </p>
<p>Northwestern actually never interviewed me although I believe the interview is again, evaluative and supposed to be added to your file. I signed up for an interview through my email and checked most days but never heard from them. I’m guessing that you should sign up for them well before the RD deadline to ensure you get a spot.</p>
<p>Brown’s interview was weird. It’s not a group interview per se, but it’s not one on one in the sense that you and your interviewer meet up to talk by yourselves. If you’re in a big city, you’ll probably be instructed to go somewhere and wait with a bunch of other applicants for one of the alumni interviewers. So there are a bunch of applicants and a bunch of interviewers, but you do get to talk to someone eventually on your own. Let’s just say that I’ve never botched a discussion so badly in my life, haha. </p>
<p>For the most part, I don’t think interviews are an integral part of the application process, but you should still be prepared. They’re a good way for someone to get to know a college better, so if you have questions about the school, ask away! If you can articulately answer why you want to go to X college as well as present yourself in a decent manner, you should be fine. </p>
<p>Best of luck, and I hope this helped!</p>
<p>Shawnspencer here. For most schools they are optional, but it can really help you because they show another side of yourself that you aren’t able to show on paper. It also shows that you are definitely interested. Some schools have alumni interviews where they match you up with someone in your area. I did two of those, they were really friendly and helpful. It’s generally pretty casual, but you should dress to impress (shirt and tie, ect) You can generally sign up using the school website or contacting admissions. Good luck!</p>
<p>I’m going to redirect you to the WIlliam and Mary forum because I really enjoy that school.
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-william-mary/1664109-what-to-expect-for-the-interview.html#latest”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-william-mary/1664109-what-to-expect-for-the-interview.html#latest</a></p>