<p>I scheduled an On-Campus interview at Yale in July and I am not too familiar with the college interview process and I definitely don't want to do something silly or appear stupid in front of the admissions officers. I signed up because I think my grades and tests and ecs are pretty solid and have already taken me as far as they can, so if I nail the interview, it might help me appeal beyond just scores. Also, I am about 90% sure I will be applying EA. If it's even relevant, I can post my stats on a comment.</p>
<p>But back to the interview. I'm wondering - what would they ask me about? Should I appear more laid-back or professional? Are there things I shouldn't mention, ex. test scores? What should I wear? (I know it should be formal-casual but I would be traveling a while on train and walking a lot to explore the campus after and it would be hot July weather so long pants, dresses, or blazers wouldn't be exactly ideal.) Is it acceptable to ask my interviewer about his/her experience at Yale? Should I mention I will probably apply SCEA and major in STEM? Should I mention test scores or gpa if it comes up because they are strong and maybe that'll demonstrate I'm a serious applicant, not just a random person who visited their site and signed up for *****s&gigs? </p>
<p>And for the 'why Yale?' question, does anyone have a good answer? It always seemed to me there's so many wrong ways to answer that question for any college, ex. never say prestige, never say location, never say because I liked it since I was little, never say because a friend/relative goes there, so what ARE you supposed to say? because honestly, my reasons are a combination of those and others. </p>
<p>I'm not particularly nervous or worried, I just want to maximize the opportunity!
Feel free to give any helpful hints, tell about past experiences, or mention anything else about Yale in general!</p>
<p>my yale interview was one of my most difficult interviews of my application process, aside from princeton which was downright awkward (because my interviewer was a little awkward, and i’m also a little awkward until i warm up to someone…). i think the interviews might differ from person to person, but in my yale interview, my interviewer asked me a lot of questions that might come up in an english or sociology class. at one point, while i was retelling an anecdote to introduce myself as a nerd, my interviewer asked me with a dead-serious face: “what is a nerd? how would you define a nerd?” i literally paused for 30 seconds because i didn’t know how to respond. what is the definition of a nerd? it’s not merely someone who likes math and science, obviously, but it is slightly derogatory. but might not be. </p>
<p>my interviewer asked me several definition questions regarding my school society and my personal life. as for the “why yale” question, seriously think about it. why yale? if you were accepted into every college on your list, what would make you choose yale over the others? the atmosphere? the academia? the social life? </p>
<p>above all, be honest. be yourself. i know this advice is cliche, but honestly be yourself. i’m a little awkward by nature until i get to know someone, and by the end of the interview, we were both chuckling at my stories. the best interviews turn into conversations. </p>
<p>and always ask questions at the end of your interview, because if you truly want to go to yale, you will have questions about life at yale.</p>
<p>Be prepared for some tough questions. I never interviewed at Yale, but an admissions officer at Harvard flat-out asked me what school was my number one choice.</p>
<p>Going to high school for a FIFTH year? It sounds great living in a foreign language and experiencing their culture, but I feel that Yale would rather have you do something productive.</p>