<p>on a different thread, mentioned son is going on college trips later this week. he had emailed the scholars programs at these schools, thinking he might get a chance to meet with admin/assistant type people. He actually got interviews with the directors of the programs! these programs are extremely competitive and the credentials/stats of people chosen are incredible! right now he meets the minimum requirements to apply but by the end of senior year could have some of the stats these scholars have ie AP scholar.
His schools does not rank, they do not have a valedictorian, which were other things the chosen scholars had
we were talking last night and cant decide which approach is better…should he mention what he hopes to accomplish next year and mention however that they wont be done by application deadlines. (AP scholar , submission to science competition etc) OR should he not mention how he currently compares and just put in his application his senior year plans.
my feeling is if the discussion is going well, i dont think it hurts to tell them now, he thinks it may emphasize what he doesnt have. Opinions?</p>
<p>Usually, these interviews don’t ask about stats, grades, ranking, etc. They will see that in the application. Instead, your son should use these opportunities to communicate his passions, goals, and personality. </p>
<p>They may ask what he is taking next year since coursework defines the student, and he should be prepared to tell them. Likewise, he should be honest with stats, etc., if they do indeed ask. Under no circumstances, however, should he volunteer information which will seem like an excuse/rationalization.</p>
<p>thanks momwaitingfornew. good advice</p>
<p>Your son should be prepared to ask questions, too, but they shouldn’t be about basic stuff that’s on the college’s web site.</p>
<p>It might be a good idea for him to thoroughly wander around the web sites of the colleges he is visiting before he gets there and have some questions prepared that the web sites didn’t answer. Questions about the scholars programs are appropriate, of course, but so are questions about other aspects of the academic programs or life on campus.</p>
<p>I think he should also be prepared to answer the inevitable question about why he wants to apply to this particular school or program.</p>
<p>hopefully he is prepared to do that, he said he was reviewing the sites. i think i’ll remind him to write down a few specific questions so he doesnt forget if he gets nervous
thanks</p>
<p>The more sophisticated interviewers love the “why” question. (If he is doing a science project, they will ask why he chose this particular question; if he is playing an instrument - why that instrument, etc.) It usually helps them see how articulate and/or insightful the student is.
They often ask about news/current events (not politics usually), books you’ve read, books you like best, etc.</p>
<p>now i’m getting more nervous! both places said if family was attending with him, they could sit in on discussions …maybe i should wait outside. i love him dearly but there are times he will go off on a tangent of random ideas and thoughts that leave me shaking my head. he is definitely a math/science person, less so essay/interview type.</p>
<p>do not go in with him - it will only make him more nervous…</p>