<p>Hi.
I was wondering if I should answer the college interview question “What ECs do you intend to participate in?” by saying that I want to write for the college’s humor magazine, apart from mentioning a few other things that I’m interested in. Such magazines often have content which may not be deemed appropriate by all people and such an idea might be seen as radically different from the theatre/acapella/jazz band answer that the interviewer might expect and perhaps even stupid and frivolous. But I really think humor is an integral part of my life and personality and I would genuinely want to write for such a publication.
So if you were/are an interviewer, what would you think of such an answer?
Danke.</p>
<p>I think you should use your judgment. If you feel the interviewer is so closed to ideas, then watch your step. Or when you do mention it, don’t be off-putting by going into lurid details. Otherwise, there’s nothing bizarre.</p>
<p>That’s the problem. I can’t be certain of what the interviewer thinks of this idea. At the best, I can be sure that he/she has enjoyed the articles of his/her college’s humor mag at one point or another. But when a student says “I want to do this for the next 4 years instead of doing something else”, does it seem okay to you? What would you think of a person who says this?
A better way to phrase my question is that is writing for a humor mag considered an appropriate/acceptable EC by an average college student or alumnus/alumna?</p>
<p>My sister interviews for colleges and it is rarely the content of the interview that matters. She has been interviewing for 20 years for Harvard and Princeton so she is well aware that kids will have different tastes, interests, etc. She doesn’t judge them if they want to be part of the young republicans or want to occupy wall street. She likes and appreciates their passion for their interests.</p>
<p>So the key in any interview is to answer the questions put forth in a natural, not canned/rehearsed way, be prompt and polite and write a thank you note and then have a little fun. My sister says that all the kids are pretty accomplished, etc, so the people that stand out are the ones who are passionate, pleasant and easy to talk to.</p>
<p>If you want to write for the magazine, say it with enthusiasm and don’t worry your interviewer will judge you.</p>
<p>I don’t know what school this is for but be reassured that unless you come off as seriously mentally unstable or something, it doesn’t matter for much anyways.</p>
<p>You’re overthinking it. The interviewer is generally, your advocate. Unless you utter something rude or offensive, it’ll just be a thing you’re interested in.</p>
<p>As to this: “I want to do this for the next 4 years”. </p>
<p>How about: " I’m excited at the opportunity to do X. I hear it’s great and can see myself doing it all 4 yrs. But I’m also excited to see what else is available"</p>
<p>That makes much more sense. I was a bit worried, I must admit. Thanks a lot. :D</p>