RD Applicants: Interview Advice - Page 37

T26E4 · 07-08-2009, 12:45 PM

brainylaney said "i want to give the interviewer an accurate but flattering impression of me."

I've given this some thought and based on what you've written, I don't think this combination is possible.

JED · 07-13-2009, 07:24 PM

I had an on-campus interview recently and wanted to write the interviewer a thank you. Since the interviewer was a student, I wasn't sure if I should address it to Mr. _____ or if that's too formal. Any suggestions?

Demiitasse · 07-13-2009, 08:08 PM

Going formal is safer! If it's the student I would put their full name after Mr, it's not as stiff sounding and personally, a little more light-hearted :]
How was your interview? Was it very conversational? Did you bring a resume with you? What did you wear? Haha sorry I'm just excited! Mine is August 11th.

JED · 07-13-2009, 09:06 PM

thanks

It went very well; it really didn't feel like an interview as it was a really relaxed atmosphere. I was surprised that the main focus was on me rather than me and Yale (e.g. he didn't really ask why I wanted to go to Yale, what I'll add to Yale if I'm accepted etc.). The interviewer clearly had appointments right after mine so he had to end it right after 30 minutes, though we definitely could have gone on for longer. I did bring my resume but he never asked for it, and there was never really a moment to give it to him. We ended up discussing a lot of what I included on it anyways so it didn't really make a difference. Clothing wise, I wore nice slacks and a button down shirt which was basically what he was wearing too. It was the right mix between informal and formal. Good luck on your interview!
P.S. Thanks so much T26E4 and AdmissionsAddict - this thread really put me at ease

Demiitasse · 07-13-2009, 10:54 PM

Thanks for such a generous post, JED! I'm glad yours went well and hope mine is just as relaxed. Sounds fun

vicariousparent · 10-03-2009, 09:48 PM

Many thanks to the people who have posted advice on interviews here. My D had her Yale on-campus interview recently. The interviewer was a current senior at Yale. It went very well- it was a friendly conversation, not at all intimidating. They are mostly trying to get to know you better, and to find out if you know yourself better.

For those awaiting their on-campus interviews, the best approach would be to think about how you would answer such basic questions like: What are your academic interests? Why? What extracurriculars do you participate in? How have they enriched your life? What public issues do you care about? At least for my D, there were no esoteric questions- nothing like "if you were a vegetable, what vegetable would you be, and why?".

Stupefy · 10-12-2009, 05:06 PM

This is a great resource

Ellenbao · 10-22-2009, 07:46 AM

Can you offer any information about interviews for REA applicants? Do the interviews differ from those for RD applicants?

T26E4 · 10-22-2009, 09:43 AM

No they are the same.

Code H · 11-04-2009, 07:50 PM

INTERVIEW TOMORROW.

at my school. 45 minutes allotted.

oh man x 100...

samsunimomo · 11-04-2009, 07:51 PM

Best of luck to you

aniram518 · 11-04-2009, 08:17 PM

Good luck! Mine is tomorrow too, but at my house after school. I'm sooo scared!

ilovefhf · 11-06-2009, 04:44 AM

do intls get interviews?

pleaseyale · 11-06-2009, 10:44 AM

AdmissionsAddict-
Do we get interviewers who are linked to our high schools?
My friend graduated from my school like 8 years ago and then he graduated from Yale and he told me he joined the Alumni Interview thing.
Is it likely that he would be my interviewer?

T26E4 · 11-06-2009, 12:09 PM

ilovefhf: "do intls get interviews? " sometimes

pleaseyale: sometimes yes, sometimes not. It's up to the volunteer. Sometimes they want to stay linked, sometimes they just live nearby.

This caveat however: If I personally knew a potential interviewee, I'd recuse myself and ask for someone else to conduct the interview.