meetings with professors and regional admissions officer

[nygirl786]

I'll be visiting Columbia this Wednesday. I already have appointments with a couple of professors from the Environmental Engineering department. Should I bring my resume and a copy of a poster (mini version on computer-sized paper) I presented at a NIH sponsored conference about environmental causes of breast cancer? I shouldn't dress too formal right? Is there anything else in particular I should bring as well? What kind of questions should I expect? What are some things I should focus on in my meeting with the regional admissions officer? And are thank you notes via email sufficient? Thanks to anyone willing to answer all my questions!

[MidwestMom2Kids_]

If I were you, I would bring the resume and poster page, and offer it toward the beginning of the interview. I would wear pants-that-are-not-jeans with a top that has a sweater or jacket with it, because two pieces are a little bit dressier. I predict they may ask "why Columbia?" and about your plans for the future. Good luck!

[bethievt]

I think the resume and small copy of poster are great ideas. Nice dress but not formal. Like not jeans and t-shirt, but no need for 3-piece suit. Think of questions you want to ask and write them down. The most important one you need to be ready to answer is, "Why Columbia?", but also think about personal questions they might ask, like "How would your best friend describe you?" or "Where do you see yourself in 10 years?". The great thing about these kinds of questions is that there is no right or wrong answer and you can stall by saying what a good question it is and that you need to think more about it. My son always sent snail mail thanks if he had the address--if not, e-mail is good. No thanks is bad, imo.

cross-posted with midwestmom--great minds thinking alike?

[b@r!um]

I totally agree with the above posters about the meeting with the admission officer.

But concerning the meeting with the environmental engineering professors, you probably don't need to bring a CV or a poster. They will be meeting with you to do you a favor and answer your questions - don't expect those conversations to have any impact on your admission decision.

[nygirl786]

Thanks for all the advice guys!