Harvard interview tomorrow! Act confident or modest?

Colleges & Universities Harvard University
1

<p>Hi everyone, first post on this forum.</p>

<p>I have my Harvard interview tomorrow and I’m hearing lots of different things about how I should present myself.</p>

<p>I’m naturally a overconfident/condescending/cocky person. Sometimes I consciously try to act modest, but most of the time I act cocky without even realizing it.</p>

<p>The question is, for the Harvard interview, is it better if I be myself (but possibly annoy my interviewer) or try to be modest to seem like a nicer approachable person? Which side should I lean towards?</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

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<p>I think its good to be confident, but don’t be over confident or too cocky. Harvard is one of the best colleges and they probably don’t want you to act like getting in is really easy.</p>

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<p>Definitely be confident while conscientious of how you come off.</p>

4

<p>So, you know that you are an annoying, cocky, condescending person, but you’re wondering if you should pretend to be someone else during the interview? My gut feeling is that it really doesn’t matter.</p>

5

<p>Be yourself. You’ll end up where you deserve.</p>

<p>No. Wait. Do your best to get into H – thus you won’t be tempted to attend my alma mater!</p>

6

<p>Be yourself and don’t sell yourself short!</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

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<p>

</p>

<p>According to my daughter, now a senior, many admitted students must have faced the same dilemma when they had their interview. Most probably opted for the latter, because during her time there she has met a lot people like you!</p>

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<p>In general, its best to be both confident and modest in most situations, especially interviews. If you appear condescending or phony you may do yourself some harm. Maybe start effecting a change so that the next time you interview you won’t need to be phony to come across as modest. It will help you in the long run.</p>

9

<p>Oh please! Oh please! Oh please! </p>

<p>I hope Harvard takes you!</p>

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<p>Kudos to gibby & daughter: Great comment.</p>

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<p>I wouldn’t be too modest. You don’t want to sell yourself short. Be confident! However, I doubt that being condescending and cocky will work in your favor…</p>

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<p>Thanks for the replies! (except for the pointless sarcastic comments)</p>

<p>I just finished my interview. My interviewer was really nice, so it felt like I was talking to a close friend. I accidentally slipped a few cocky comments (“IB is too easy”), but I could clarify myself because s/he was so friendly (“I mean there are incredibly smart people in IB, but I want a more challenging environment like Harvard”).</p>

<p>Tip for future interviewees: don’t stress, it’s more like a friendly conversation than an interview. Just be yourself.</p>

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<p>Why do I think that Linksku is a ■■■■■? Hmm. People, get real!</p>

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<p>It’ll be a lot of fun that moment you exit into the real world and realize you don’t know half as much as you think you do when you’re in high school (or for that matter, 4 years at college). I love that moment.</p>