Voice!

Ok, the interview. For those of you who are seniors this year, you have the option to do an interview as part of the application process. The interview can be done on campus with a Senior Interviewer or in your home town with an alumnus. The on-campus and alumni interviews have the same weight in the application process, but the advantage of an on-campus interview is the chance to talk one-on-one with a current Wesleyan student. Since the senior Interviewers are running this blog, we decided to give you some tips for how to have a successful interview, either with us or with an alumnus.

• First of all, relax. The interview is a very informal conversation. We will not be trying to trick you into saying the wrong thing or asking you questions you would find on an AP test. We simply want to know what you do in and out of school, and more importantly, why?
• Be proud of your accomplishments. The more enthusiastic you are about your activities, the more enthusiastic we will be. This is not a time to be overly modest. If you are captain of your tennis team, tell us. If you made it to a national debate tournament, tell us!
• It will be to your advantage to do a little research about Wesleyan. The more specific your questions are to Wesleyan, the more useful our answers will be. This doesn’t mean you have to know exact statistics. Simply read some of the prospective student literature, look through the admission website, or just read this blog! Another way to know a little bit about Wesleyan is to go on a campus tour or information session before your interview. Again, none of this is required, it is simply to your advantage. Knowing something about Wesleyan will also prove to us that you are enthusiastic and curious about Wesleyan.
• Be honest.
• Reflect on some of the most important experiences you’ve had. Think back on what has had the largest impact on you and why. These experiences often make the most interesting answers to our questions.
• Look presentable. This doesn’t mean wear your prom dress or a tuxedo. Just show us that you aren’t stopping by for an interview after soccer practice. We want to see that you are serious about Wesleyan and about the interview. Skirts are not required for girls, and boys, you don’t need a tie. Just wear clean, presentable clothes and we will be happy.
• Really take advantage of your interview. Remember that this is your chance to fill in your application with any explanations or qualifications you think are important. If your grades suffered during your sophomore year, explain why. Tell us what you think we need to know in order to understand your accomplishments in the context of your high school and personal life.
• Above all, be enthusiastic!

Hope that helps. The interview is really not something to be worried about. However, if you are extremely nervous about interviewing or feel your accomplishments would not be conveyed well in an interview, you don’t have to do one.  The interviews are completely optional. 

If you do decide to do an interview, best of luck.  If you are coming to campus, we look forward to meeting you!

Hannah Junkerman ‘08
Senior Interview