nns91

Hey guys,

Bowdoin is coming to my school next Wednesday and I have a chance to have an official interview with an adcom. I am thinking about taking it ? Should I go for it ? The only thing that is holding me back is that I have not done any college interview yet so I am worried that I won't do well and Bowdoin is my top choice (ED) so I don't want to screw everything up.

What do they usually ask on interviews ? Any suggestion ?

BuddyMcAwesome

make sure you pronounce it correctly

nns91

good suggestion, thanks.

Any idea about what I should be expecting or any thing I should pay attention to ?

Should I take the chance for this interview or should I wait till later ?

Tzar09

Interviews are so overly stressed over.

The purpose of an interview is two-fold. One, to make sure you're not a sociopath. Two, to gauge your enthusiasm about the school. Assuming you're not a sociopath, just know your Bowdoin facts and you'll do fine.

nns91

Like its history, you mean ? What types of questions should I ask the interviewer ?

Tzar09

I guess history, but I meant more along the lines of "why i think Bowdoin is special" stuff. Like you said that Bowdoin was your first choice. Why is it? Why aren't any of the other highly ranked liberal arts colleges that are out there? Is there a department you like alot that you can talk about? Did you find out something awesome about a professor that made you feel like you had to take a class with him or her? Hear about a club that nobody else has that seemed really interesting? See a youtube video made by Bowdoin students that made you think these were your people?

Just be able to say what it is about Bowdoin that you love.

Ask the interviewer what ever you've wanted to know but couldn't find. Asking the interviewer questions isn't a big thing. It's really just for your benefit. No judgments.

safiyany

ok, if bowdoin isn't coming to my school, how can i get an interview? i live in chicago, would an alumni contact me after i submit my application?

Maxie91

If you want to schedule an off-campus intrview then you need to fill out and submit this form:

Off-Campus Interview (Bowdoin, )

If they have an alum in your area then they will contact you!

In terms of interviews, I have actually had 2... I would take advantage of the opportunity of having an interview... It is esentially your chance to tell the school what can't be said through your numbers and your essays. It is a great opportunity and it can only help you so go for it!

They tend to ask:

what areas your are interested in, sometimes why.
What are you extracurriculars and will you participate in anything at the school. (I said community service and they asked specifically, which was fine because i knew and could give an example, but don't throw around general terms, they hear that from EVERYONE)
something about what lengths you have gone to learn about the school. and why have you chosen Bowdoin.
if you have any questions, so be prepared.

Just be honest, don't lie
and try to really give the person a piece of yourself to take back to the school and say that you are a great fit. If you haven't had an inteview before then I really recommend having a parent, friend, older sibling or teacher who really likes you give you a pseudo-interview it will really help! Trust me.

Good Luck all!

nns91

THank you so much for your advice. So for example, if I say I do community service, I should specifically say something like I have been on a service trip to Costa Rica, or with my school band played holiday music at an elder's house or something like that ?

What type of questions I should not ask ? or anything I should not do besides not being truthful

safiyany

thanks, maxie91!

Maxie91

Exactly nns91, if you say comm. service then you need to ellaborate, saying what you've done. and if what you have already done is the type of comm. service that you plan to do at college then mention that. Make sure you are always intertwining everything.

There are no wrong questions. Make sure that you don't go into the interview and ask silly questions because you can't think of anything. For example, you don't want to come off as not doing any research just for the sake of asking a question. AND just remember that people LOVE talking about themselves, so go ahead and ask what they studied, what was their most memorable times, why THEY chose the school. Anything to get them involved. Try to show them something REALLY unique about you, whether it is something you have done or the way you think. Just put it out there.

Also, just be humble. People respect that. To be honest, there are no wrong questions. Just don't come off as not putting enough effort into research the school. It looks great if you can actually name which clubs you would join and what sets the school apart for what you want to get out of it. Best of luck in all interviews!