How important is the interview?

ThisCouldBeHeavn · 11-22-2008, 04:43 PM

How much would it hurt an application if you didn't do an interview? What if you do badly on the interview?

Cider · 11-25-2008, 01:14 AM

It's not required, so doing it could only help you. Usually they'll assume it was a bad day if you do poorly on an interview.

Pajkaj · 11-25-2008, 01:31 AM

I would agree with Cider completely on that. If you have the opportunity, I'd take it. I'd also agree that for an interview to seriously hurt you, you probably won't have been a very viable candidate to begin with. I could be wrong, but I'd think it would be wrong to mess up enough that they would rule out the "bad day" scenario and not give you the benefit of the doubt.

If you are a senior, and are completely worried about admission, and "need" to get in, fly and interview.
If you are a junior, sign up on their mailing list. Their AOs make rounds early every fall to loads of cities; one came to Denver and I just signed up when I was notified that they'd be in my area -- saves having to pay for the flight out if you can avoid it.

ThisCouldBeHeavn · 11-26-2008, 03:42 AM

Well to be honest, Harvey Mudd is a school I'm thinking of adding, but it would probably be one of my last choices. I'd consider it if I got in. I'd prefer not to go through the hassle of an interview if I don't have to. It seems that for a lot of schools not having an interview would kill your chances, so applying without an interview would be worthless. I wasn't sure whether that would be true of Harvey Mudd.

As you can see, I live in LA, so distance wouldn't be an issue. I'm just not a good interviewee and would want to avoid an awkward experience if possible

Cider · 11-26-2008, 02:03 PM

It's not going to kill your chances. Only places like MIT, where it is required, will it kill your chances. They might not think you're as interested in applying, but it certainly won't kill your chances.

I personally didn't do the interview because I didn't have the time.

ThisCouldBeHeavn · 11-26-2008, 07:59 PM

ok.. thanks for the help

Muddslinger · 11-27-2008, 05:56 AM

The interview is weighted pretty heavily. My senior suitemate is one of the interviewers as part of his work study program and he was telling us about how they're quite critical with them. A good interview will be a positive impact, and a bad interview will have a negative impact. A "bad" interview isn't one where you forgot stuff (believe me, I couldn't remember what classes I was taking when the interviewer asked me but I guess I'm still here). Instead, a bad interview is where the person determines that you're not a good fit for Mudd. Although it'll be a bit depressing (maybe) if you don't wind up getting in, it's actually a bit of a favor - people who don't fit well at Mudd don't do very well academically and wind up transferring.

ThisCouldBeHeavn · 11-28-2008, 04:09 PM

What do you mean by bad fit? Would that just be if you come across as quiet/shy, or are they looking for something else?

rocketDA · 11-29-2008, 03:31 PM

If you are unsure about HMC, don't go here. Period.

Muddslinger · 11-29-2008, 07:04 PM

rocketDA is right. I think the interview attempts to examine whether you'll be happy at Mudd. Examine the core and see if those classes are really what you want to take for the next two years, because if they don't sound appealing, core will eat your soul. We've already lost 2 people from the freshman class because of this, and I know at least two more frosh I know are transferring after this year is over for this exact reason.

So by "bad fit," I mean "Will you enjoy/survive core?"

Pajkaj · 12-02-2008, 12:31 AM

For your reference:

The Common Core

rocketDA · 12-02-2008, 03:01 AM

"rocketDA is right. I think the interview attempts to examine whether you'll be happy at Mudd. Examine the core and see if those classes are really what you want to take for the next two years, because if they don't sound appealing, core will eat your soul. We've already lost 2 people from the freshman class because of this, and I know at least two more frosh I know are transferring after this year is over for this exact reason"

Only two?! Damn.
At this point the Class of 2009 has gone from something like 210 students to 170. This place has given me, perhaps, the best education on the face of the planet. However, I can't wait to get out of here! The engineering curriculum is probably the most substantial in the country/world.

Seiken · 12-02-2008, 11:27 PM

Its worth noting that they are planning on reducing the core substantially in the next few years. I dont know when the changes will take effect though

Cider · 12-03-2008, 12:19 AM

Why are they doing that? Only thing worth getting rid of is Bio :P

mathboy98 · 12-30-2008, 10:55 PM

Oh I didn't interview, and got in. Didn't end up going (went to Cal), but I think HMC is a terrific school, and I myself could have been very happy there.

What I think got me in was (aside from the fact my WHOLE application indicated I was into mathematics) likely my essays - I think I had very good reasons for potentially wanting to attend the school. Almost ended up going.