Upcoming Macaulay Interviews

I got an e-mail this morning about the opportunities to volunteer for interviews with Macaulay! I've asked to be assigned to the 25th of January and the 1st of February, so if your interview is set for those dates, you might see me there! There's a slimmer possibility that I'll be volunteering on the 26th as well, but I'm not banking on it.

I didn't have an interview with Macaulay when I applied, since they weren't encouraging us to do so as strongly. I felt like missing school to come into the City wasn't a good use of my time, but I do regret that. Interviewing would have been a responsible thing to do, and it would have improved my chances at getting in. Luckily, I got in in spite of my silly decision. I'm glad that they're giving students a chance to meet with someone who understands the goals of the institution. It's important to see how they can fit in person, rather than just on paper.

However, I did work as a volunteer for the interviews last year. Last year they were set up quite nicely, with food laid out while you wait and a video about Macaulay for students and parents to watch. Interviewees would be called into the room in batches and sit at a table with an interviewer, who was either a professor or an alumnus of Hunter or Macaulay. (It honestly looked like a speed-dating session) Most tables would have a current Macaulay student there to take notes and fill out the forms about the application, so the interviewer could focus on the potential student. You'd get your standard interview questions, and then they would ask if you had any questions for either the interviewer or the student.
Now remember: This was the set up LAST YEAR. I can't promise that this will be 100% accurate for this year's interviews.

Here are a few tips I picked up from the interviewers for when you have yours:

1. Be able to introduce yourself, but include something interesting. Everyone says "Hi my name is.... I want to study..... I go to this high school..." Tell me your name, your desired major, and then something interesting. Did you ride and elephant in India? Have you won your school's Poetry contests? Do you collect shrunken heads? (Keep that to yourself.) You want to stick out to the interviewer so they give you a recommendation that is founded on more than "They were kind of nice." One boy got a shining endorsement since he had a real passion for sneakers, and could talk intelligently and at length about them. It was something that hadn't been heard before and he was quite eloquent, and talking about his shoes let him show that.

2. Be personable. Ask your interviewer how they are doing. Give a good, firm handshake. Make plenty of eye contact. Speak clearly, loudly, and don't slouch. A good portion of how people perceive you is based on your body language.

3. When they ask you if you have any questions for them or the Macaulay student you're seated with, HAVE ONE. There is nothing that comes across worse than not having a question. Even if you think you already know the answer, ask. Because then people assume one of three things: you are so arrogant that you assume you know everything, you don't respect us enough to ask our opinions, or you just plain don't care about the school. None of these should be true, so you need to communicate an interest.

4. Remember the title and plot lines of at least one book you've enjoyed, be aware of the news that has happened over the past few days, and be able to name at least one song that you can listen to without cringing. If you've got a hero, be able to justify why they're important. One of the most important things you'll learn in college is how to take a stance and support it. If you demonstrate the ability to back up whatever you say, you'll impress the interviewer with how ready you are for the college environment.

5. Please have questions for us. It is so awkward when a student just walks away and doesn't have questions. It's awkward for them, it's awkward for the interviewers, and the last thing you want to do is make the ending of your interview awkward. (Yes, this bears repeating)

6. THANK YOUR INTERVIEWER AND THE STUDENT FOR THEIR TIME. We gave up our nights, our weekends, our somethings to come in and interview you. We don't have a full scholarship on the line. Our education isn't riding on this. I'll get a few community service hours for being here, if I remember to fill out the paperwork when I'm done. You get a full ride. The professor who interviews you might get a bagel and a cup of orange juice out of the deal. You get a laptop. Tell us thank you, and mean it. Its just plain common courtesy.

7. Make sure you look nice. Look yourself, but look polished. Also, eat a breath mint beforehand. The tables are small, and no one needs nervous-breath in their face as they try to talk to you.

8. Don't be ashamed to be nervous. It's okay to be nervous. Those who would tell you not to be are asking you to deny the human condition. Humans get nervous. That's okay - so long as you don't let it stop you. If you start to stumble, slow down and start again. Once you fix yourself once or twice, you can keep that rhythm. Most people would rather see you reign yourself in than to have you pretend you're not nervous.

Most of all, good luck to all of you. Let your personality shine, talk up your skills, and be willing to laugh at yourself if you've done something (appropriate) but embarrassing.