historygal19

I was incredibly nervous but I think the interview went really well for me. The guy who was assigned to interview me was a recent graduate and this was his first interview ever haha so he was super nice and informal and had the "Official Columbia Interview Questions" sheet right next to him LOL. So basically he asked very broad questions just to get to know me as a person and he DID NOT see my application so he didn't grill me on specific books, cultural events, etc. I brought them up on my own, and we had some in common which was nice. Here are some common questions straight from the "Official Sheet" lol :P

1. What specifically attracted you to Columbia?
2. What attracted you to New York City in general?
3. What do you see yourself studying at Columbia and why?
4. Where do you see yourself in ten years?
5. Do you see yourself living in the city permanently or would you move away?
6. How do you find time to manage all of your extracurriculars, volunteering, etc?
7. How would Columbia benefit from having you as a student?
8. (After I brought up the publications/books I've read) What magazines do you read religiously, and what are some of your favorite articles from them?
9. What category of books/magazines/publications do you enjoy?
10. Would you be comfortable studying abroad an entire year/ are you independent/self-sufficient?

That's about all I remember specifically haha hope it helps! The rest of it was mainly just a conversation - I'd say I asked about him just as much as he asked about me, which I think reflected very well because I was interested in his time at Columbia and how it shaped his future, etc. Try to have some questions for your interviewer, it helps flesh out things he/she liked/didn't like and also shows interest I was extremely happy with my interview and I wish you guys all the best!! Good luck!

historygal19

Also, HateSMUS, you may get a phone interview if there's nobody in your area who can do it, especially if you've just recently submitted your app; hopefully you get a notice about it in the upcoming weeks! Stay positive

aanderson67

If the interview doesn't impact your chance why would the school do it? Seems like a waste of time for everyone if it were true but my guess I that it isn't.

hobbesette

I submitted on the 5th and I still haven't gotten any sort of confirmation email from Columbia yet... Should I be worried?

HateSMUS

historygal19, congratz that ur interview went well! I kinda not wanna have interview after seeing ur post. lol I feel like I need to prepare a lot so that I don't make a mistake. I'm bad at improvising or coming up with ideas rly fast. My university councilor nagged me that I'm not supposed to put a publication if I miss even one week since the interviewer may ask a very specific question of the publication article which I now think it was kind of bs.

HateSMUS

@aanderson67 : Except for some universities such as MIT which 99% of admitted student had interview ( I think read it in MIT webpage), getting an interview chance is not an indicator of admission chance. Sure, interview may increase students' chances if they had done well, but my guess is not getting an interview doesn't mean the student will be disadvantaged. In fact, in CC admission threads, lot of students who never had an opportunity for interview got in and lot of students who had a fabulous interview got either deferred or rejected. While the interview is a part of the admission, not having interview is not disadvantageous because it only tells there isn't an alumni around the student's area.

historygal19

Honestly I really don't think it negatively impacts your chance of admission if you don't get an interview. Like I said I live in an incredibly densely populated area in the middle of New Jersey and was lucky that there was somebody available to interview me - and he was a novice! So before him there wouldn't have been anyone in my area, as my friend who applied ED to Columbia last year didn't receive an interview. I submitted all my stuff on October 17th and only got the email on November 1st - @hobbesette, I wouldn't worry! And even after my interview I'm still insanely worried that I'll get rejected or deferred...

HateSMUS

If you are very qualified applicant with decent gpa, 2200+ SAT score, decent essay, I think it would be a crap shoot. In class of 2016 ED forum, I saw numerous score-qualified admitted applicant with hardly any impressive EC while other stellar applicants got deferred or rejected. Often the admission process doesn't make sense for students like us, but I'm still grateful just in the fact that I have a fair chance (15~20% I guess??) in admission crap shoot. Becuz I saw quiet a few Korean students with 2200s SAT 1 got into Columbia ED for class of 2016, I'm rly hoping to get in with some unique ECs.

sallylush

For Columbia, their interview policy is that it's not required because they can't possibly hook every applicant up with an available alumni. And because not everyone gets an interview, it's one of those things where it can only help you and not hurt you. Unfortunately, I don't think I'm getting an interview because applicants from my area in previous years were not contacted for an interview, so unless an alumni recently moved here, it's not looking good for me. I personally really want an interview because I feel that I'm better in person than on paper. I'm also a really good conversationalist and can BS things on the spot. But it is what it is, and hopefully I get in despite not having had an interview.

sallylush

And @historygal19, good job on a successful interview! It's interesting that they asked so many Columbia-specific questions because I recently interviewed for Harvard (not exactly sure why they called for one because I'm not applying early and didn't even send everything in yet) and nothing Harvard-specific was asked. Which was good I guess because I'm pretty clueless on any college except Columbia hahaha.

yaybrown

@historygal19 - thanks for posting the questions! glad to hear your interview went well. I am from NJ too and not expecting to be interviewed. I submitted my interview on nov. 4th and haven't heard anything yet. my guidance counselor also said that I shouldn't expect to be interviewed because I live so close to nyc that any questions about columbia that I have could easily be answered through a visit (which I have done, more times than I can count). I'm not sure if he's right, but I don't really have a preference as to whether I want to be interviewed or not.

Has anyone else gotten interviewed yet? In person or by phone?

HateSMUS

@sallylush, wow that would have been totally unexpected. It's odd for me too that Harvard got u an interview even before ur app submission. I never heard of such incidence. Well at least that can never be a negative sign, it should have been a positive sign.

sallylush

Yeah when my guy called me I had a mini panic attack but it ended up going very well. The fact that my first college interview ever was with Harvard also added to the stress. My advice to all interviewees are just relax and be honest! They're not out to stump you with some crazy psychoanalysis. Research the college well, and be prepared to ask your interviewer some thoughtful questions! Dressing nice helps too.

sallylush

Well looks like I spoke too soon: got an email earlier today for an interview!! I'm excited but a little nervous now too because this one actually counts. Weird thing is they're making me go down to New York City because apparently that's the closest alumni to me... It's a 90-minute train ride which isn't bad but it would have been nicer if it were closer to me.

HateSMUS

Good luck on the interview! For me I think it will be either interview in very near location or no interview since I'm living in Vancouver Island. Post how ur interview went!