College Interviews

[Kreon]

I have my college interviews on Tuesday and Wednesday

I'm trying to figure out what to wear, how expansive a portfolio to bring, etc

I'm hoping I can get some help here...

One interview is at Paneras, a bread place/cafe thing...
I've never heard of it, but that's what my buddy tells me

The other is at an alumna's lab at another school


I guess what I'm asking is
~what should I wear for each
~How much should I bring, just a resume, some recent awards, awards dating back for a long time, etc.
~Also, I'm really involved in Scouting. How much (if any) should I bring? Small amount of things (Eagle Certificate, OA Brotherhood Card, Camp Staff Certificate), or a lot?

Thank you for helping me

 

[mrkun]

What is this for, a postdoc position or what? You're being interviewed at a cafe?

 

[Kreon]

Originally posted by: mrkun
What is this for, a postdoc position or what? You're being interviewed at a cafe?

undergrad

Apparently I am...
It's what the alumni said. I didn't have any problem with it...

 

[TecHNooB]

Panera is nice! Love their sandwich/soup combo. Tad pricy tho..

 

[Epic Fail]

The undergrad interviews are more to sell the school than trying to see if you will fit the school.

 

[Kreon]

Originally posted by: TecHNooB
Panera is nice! Love their sandwich/soup combo. Tad pricy tho..

What kind of place is it?

Like a fast-food type cafe, or more like a Starbucks?

How much can I expect to spend for my food?

 

[KillerCharlie]

I've never heard of a college interview...

 

[Kreon]

Originally posted by: yamadakun
The undergrad interviews are more to sell the school than trying to see if you will fit the school.

Really...

More specifically, is it like that for MIT and University of Rochester?

 

[Epic Fail]

Originally posted by: Kreon

Originally posted by: TecHNooB
Panera is nice! Love their sandwich/soup combo. Tad pricy tho..

What kind of place is it?

Like a fast-food type cafe, or more like a Starbucks?

How much can I expect to spend for my food?

Starbucks is good comparison, less than $10 for a meal with a drink.

 

[mrkun]

Originally posted by: Kreon

Originally posted by: mrkun
What is this for, a postdoc position or what? You're being interviewed at a cafe?

undergrad

Apparently I am...
It's what the alumni said. I didn't have any problem with it...

You have to do an interview as an undergrad in the US?? What university is this?

Edit: I'm just assuming this is in the US, but correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[mrkun]

.

 

[Kreon]

Originally posted by: mrkun

Originally posted by: Kreon

Originally posted by: mrkun
What is this for, a postdoc position or what? You're being interviewed at a cafe?

undergrad

Apparently I am...
It's what the alumni said. I didn't have any problem with it...

You have to do an interview as an undergrad in the US??

Not required at either place...

MIT's acceptence is 6% without having an interview
16% of those who have one

Dunno about UR though

 

[mrkun]

Originally posted by: Kreon
Not required at either place...

MIT's acceptence is 6% without having an interview
16% of those who have one

Dunno about UR though

Oh, huh. That's still odd that they'd interview you in a cafe.

 

[ConstipatedVigilante]

I haven't done any interviews for my applications, but I have friends who did. Generally, people who are applying to reach schools or art schools do it. Art schools especially - they want to see your work.

 

[Epic Fail]

Originally posted by: Kreon

Originally posted by: yamadakun
The undergrad interviews are more to sell the school than trying to see if you will fit the school.

Really...

More specifically, is it like that for MIT and University of Rochester?

The interviews are conducted by different alumni, the uneven nature will be hard for the admission office to put much weight on them unless you totally blow the interview.

The higher acceptance rate could just be because the stronger applicants are more likely to schedule the interviews.

 

[Pandamonium]

College interviews tend to be a test of "is this applicant so socially awkward we need to red flag him". Interviewers are generally volunteers and only do it because they like to see what kind of kids are going to their alma mater. You can bring stuff, but you most likely won't need it. This is based on my experience with alums from the ultracompetitive colleges. I lived in CT, and had most of my interviews at Starbucks, one at the alum's office, and a few at the coffee shop inside Borders. Don't be surprised if one of your interviewers is the parent of a friend. Dress casually but slightly preppy. In cold weather, a v-neck sweater over a dress shirt with khakis and your choice of footwear is safe. In warmer climates, wear a polo and khakis. Basically, dress appropriately for the location of the interview. The outfit I just described is fine for your interview at Panera, but the one at the lab is a bit trickier. Call the interviewer and ask what kind of attire is proper. Labs can vary a great deal in formality.

BTW: Panera/St. Louis Bread Co. are the same. If you've never been, think of it as a classier McDonalds (serving sandwiches instead of burgers, chips/apples instead of fries) with a built-in Starbucks. Pricing is $6-8 with water, $8-10 with soda, $9-11 with "Starbucks-style" drink.

 

[Kreon]

So the interviews don't really matter in the long run?

Should I treat this like a job interview?


And again, how much stuff should I bring?

 

[Pandamonium]

On a side note, we can all tell you over and over again that this is not a big deal, because we know it isn't. You'll never heed that advice because presumably you're applying to a bunch of top-schools. If you stick around AT and you see a thread like this one in 2013 or so, you'll laugh and remember how silly you were as a HS senior.

Unless you're interviewing on-campus, try to relax. Every alumna will find something different to talk about. What one perceives as a strength may be viewed as a weakness by another. The admissions committee knows this, and therefore places very little weight on these interviews.

 

[Epic Fail]

Originally posted by: Kreon
So the interviews don't really matter in the long run?

Should I treat this like a job interview?


And again, how much stuff should I bring?

I wouldn't want to bring all those certificates if I were you, have a nice chit chat and you'll be fine.

 

[Pandamonium]

Interviews don't really matter in the big picture of the college application process.

You can treat this like a job interview. More than likely (esp. the interview at Panera), the alum just wants to get to know you and learn what you see in their school, and how you fit there. I would argue that it's more like meeting your friend's parents the first time you come over for dinner.

Check with the interviewer to see if they even want you to bring anything. Their answer will most likely be "no". If it's a vague answer, bring a folio with a copy of your resume, and maybe something representative of a big extracurricular for you. For scouting, if it comes up, have a few pictures of what you've done with the boy scouts in your wallet or something. Then you can show the interviewer said pictures and tell stories. We don't want to stare at a pile of awards. Half the time, we're not familiar with where they're coming from.

 

[enwar3]

Kreon:

I applied, interviewed, and got accepted to MIT last year.

If you only remember one thing, it's that you must show interest in the school. Ask questions about things you want to know, dorm life, college programs, whatever.

I brought a resume and you can too, but don't open it and talk to them about it there. Just hand them the file folder, talk, and let them be impressed by your resume later. It doesn't really matter what you put on. I guess what means a lot to you.

Above all, don't be nervous. Just chit chat like Pandamonium said. MIT and most other schools maintain that an interview CANNOT HURT YOU. It can only help or do nothing at all. (Though it seems like if it can help you and it doesn't, it's hurting you, but that's another debate). So good luck dude. Lemme know if you want to know anything else.

EDIT: I don't know about URoch, but MIT won't be trying to sell their school that hard. You have to take the opportunity to sell yourself. Don't forget to send a follow-up thank you. And I didn't get anything to eat, because then it gets messy and it takes time. Grab a drink so you have more time to talk to the interviewer.

 

[Kreon]

Originally posted by: Pandamonium
Interviews don't really matter in the big picture of the college application process.

You can treat this like a job interview. More than likely (esp. the interview at Panera), the alum just wants to get to know you and learn what you see in their school, and how you fit there. I would argue that it's more like meeting your friend's parents the first time you come over for dinner.

Check with the interviewer to see if they even want you to bring anything. Their answer will most likely be "no". If it's a vague answer, bring a folio with a copy of your resume, and maybe something representative of a big extracurricular for you. For scouting, if it comes up, have a few pictures of what you've done with the boy scouts in your wallet or something. Then you can show the interviewer said pictures and tell stories. We don't want to stare at a pile of awards. Half the time, we're not familiar with where they're coming from.

Thank You

That just answered it all


So I should bring
my resume
My Eagle Scout Card
A few Pictures (of the water line I built?)

 

[Kreon]

Originally posted by: enwar3
Kreon:

I applied, interviewed, and got accepted to MIT last year.

If you only remember one thing, it's that you must show interest in the school. Ask questions about things you want to know, dorm life, college programs, whatever.

I brought a resume and you can too, but don't open it and talk to them about it there. Just hand them the file folder, talk, and let them be impressed by your resume later. It doesn't really matter what you put on. I guess what means a lot to you.

Above all, don't be nervous. Just chit chat like Pandamonium said. MIT and most other schools maintain that an interview CANNOT HURT YOU. It can only help or do nothing at all. (Though it seems like if it can help you and it doesn't, it's hurting you, but that's another debate). So good luck dude. Lemme know if you want to know anything else.

EDIT: I don't know about URoch, but MIT won't be trying to sell their school that hard. You have to take the opportunity to sell yourself. Don't forget to send a follow-up thank you. And I didn't get anything to eat, because then it gets messy and it takes time. Grab a drink so you have more time to talk to the interviewer.

Thanks

Just a question,

Would you suggest living on East or West Campus if I go to MIT
I stayed overnight at West Campus...
What is East like?

 

[enwar3]

Sorry man.. I don't go there now so I have no idea =(

 

[SleepWalkerX]

I had an interview when I was accepted to Duke. She was an alumni who graduated in the field I was interested in so we kinda talked about that for a while. She asked me some questions, but hinted that Duke looks for more well-rounded kids (ie, what activities did I partake in high school, did i do any community service, etc). Just ask the person what the college is looking for in an undergrad and then mention as much crap as you can muster in that area.