<p>I disagree that extroverts are naturally better at interviewing. They are naturally better at small talk, which is more of a learned skill for an introvert (but certainly learnable). But substance is substance and has nothing to do with I vs E. </p>
<p>Shyness and introversion are not the same thing.
Both my D (shy extrovert) and S (somewhat shy introvert) are very good at one-on-one talk and interview well. They both found activities in HS (both in and out of school) that they enjoyed and did well at. Neither was at a disadvantage in college admissions.</p>
<p>When interviews are involved, outgoing applicant will do better than a hermit who cannot connect easily and has only few minutes to accomplish that. </p>
<p>sbjdorlo, there has been a relatively recent understanding that introverts are not actually “low energy.” The key distinction between introverts and extroverts, as currently understood, is that extroverts gain energy when they are around other people. Introverts gain energy when they are alone, and tend to be drained of energy by other people.</p>
<p>I susbscribe to the Vulcan idea of “IDIC,” i.e, infinite diversity in infinite combinations. I think that there is a reason that introverts have not died out on an evolutionary time span. </p>
<p>D is introverted and used to be very shy. But she has been coming out of her shell throughout highschool and is often put in leadership positions by teachers and peers. One teacher explained it to me this way - she doesn’t talk much, but when she does her classmates listen, they respect her. I think her recs will be good (fingers crossed) as she is picking two teachers who have great rapport with her.</p>
<p>I think that upbeat extroverts tend to be favored when the prizes and “leadership” roles are handed out in HS. Especially the pleaser types.</p>
<p>That is their main advantage. </p>
<p>Interesting question, OP. To stereotype, the introvert will write a great essay and do well in the one on one interview, and may well have better stats, which will speak for themselves. But the extrovert may have some dazzling leadership ECs and may make a better first impression. </p>
<p>I’d say it is worthwhile for your child to know what he is good at and for him to know how to sell those qualities. </p>
<p>I do think the introvert needs to be concerned about the teacher and counselor recommendations. At some colleges, at least, you don’t want a recommendation that says you are “quiet” or “studious” or that you always turn your work in on time. So you may want to compensate for this a bit by making sure you talk with the recommenders at some length, and that you give them a “brag sheet” that emphasizes your activities and interests.</p>
<p>Most people here are confusing introversion with shyness. There are shy introverts and shy extroverts. Introverts can be very sociable and friendly. Check Susan Cain’s book “Quiet” or her TED talk. The difference is on how you recharge and spend energy.</p>
<p>Introverts tend to do better one on one, extroverts do better in large groups. Since introverts tend to be better listeners and observers, they also tend to be better deep conversationalists. Extroverts, are better at small talk, but in an admission interview where they are expected to go into depth this might be a hindrance. </p>
<p>In a one on one interview where they don’t have to compete with the extrovert that cannot stop talking, many introverts are probably going to shine. Even in after the interview, they need to be alone in their room for 10 minutes recharging :-)</p>
<p>“To stereotype, the introvert will write a great essay and do well in the one on one interview, and may well have better stats, which will speak for themselves. But the extrovert may have some dazzling leadership ECs and may make a better first impression.”
-This is exactly what it is - “to sterotype”, because it is simply not true at all. The above traints are not correletaed to being inrovert or outgoing. </p>
<p>Agree MiamiDAP personality types are not easily divided into one or two, there are many variations. Meyer-Briggs loosely based on Jungian theory if I remember has 16 distinct personality types.</p>
<p>The realm of ECs is where I was primarily thinking there would be a difference. After a day at school, going to a school function/club does not rate very high for him. He does have a variety of activities but just reading some of the EC lists here exhausts me… And drives me to alone time in my room. 
joking joking.</p>
<p>Son does participate in class discussions in a thoughtful manner. His teachers often comment on what an asset he is to class discussions. </p>
<p>I think both introverts and extroverts can interview well. Kinda surprised to see people saying the extroverts will struggle going into depth during an interview. I don’t think that is the case for many extroverts. I suspect a good interview for an introvert might be more dependent on the match between them and the interviewer.</p>
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<p>Yet another repetition of the usual canard.</p>
<p>Introverts will talk when and if they feel like it. If all the extroverts in a room fall totally silent, the introvert STILL won’t say anything if he or she isn’t “ready,” even if directly asked to contribute. Seen it many, many times.</p>
<p>Not only that, but extroverts are not shallow chatterboxes who don’t listen to other people and can’t have a serious conversation. If someone is like that, it is because they are a shallow chatterbox, not because they are extroverted. I am an extrovert, and I interview well on either side of the table.</p>
<p>I think adequate preparation for an interview levels the field for both introverts and extroverts. </p>
<p>Introverts are fine one on one and even in groups, they just need to recharge and have alone time. It doesn’t mean that outsiders have any knowledge someone is an introvert. There are just statistically more extroverts in this culture and so there are more extroverts at all colleges. </p>
<p>“In a one on one interview where they don’t have to compete with the extrovert that cannot stop talking,”</p>
<p>This is a complete misinterpretation of introvert vs extrovert. I can hold my own and chat in any situation and I am super introverted - Myers-Briggs INTJ describes me to a tee. And extroverts are not necessarily can’t-shut-up chatterboxes. They are just less drained by people than we introverts are. There’s a lot of stereotyping going on. There’s no reason either type of person wouldn’t do just fine. Abilities are abilities, and good personal presentation is good personal presentation. </p>
<p>Hi PG, Since you posted your Myers-Briggs category, I just wanted to add the observation that I am INFP. (I hope this remark counts as on-topic, since the I stands for “introvert.”) I think the TJ vs. FP explains quite a lot of the difference in our points of view, even though we are both IN–and even though I don’t buy Myers-Briggs whole hog.</p>
<p>Also, I have met deep extroverts. It is quite an advantage to have that type.</p>
<p>A resounding yes to Pizzagirl’s post 35… I’m an introvert, but I don’t think I come off as markedly less bubbly or engaged than any of my friends. The difference is that my alone time to people time balance tilts more heavily toward the “alone time” end of the spectrum - if I’ve gone out to dinner with a group of friends, I may not be inclined to want to go back to someone’s house and hang out afterward, because I’ve had my social time for the day. Doesn’t mean I won’t want to get together again soon or that I won’t have fun when we do, but I need the recharge time. </p>
<p>None of this means I can’t come off well in an interview or get involved in selected activities that I enjoy. </p>
<p>Both of my kids are extroverts and both my husband and I are introverts, though I suspect he moreso than I. H and I have lots of friends and lots of social engagements, as do the kids. The biggest difference is that by Sunday, H and I don’t really want to go anywhere at all and will sometimes spend the entire day in separate rooms doing our own thing and not interacting even with each other. We are both great with this. The two extrovert kids? They are ready for something new on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday… And they find it. </p>
<p>But, I don’t think they have more friends or anything than we do. Not that I’ve noticed.</p>