How an InitialView Interviewer Thinks About InitialView Interview Questions
Yes, InitialView is an oral interview in the same way you can have a job interview. The program was created by an entreprising group that saw there was a need for proctored, secured interviews (due to a number of applicants paying others to take the interview for them, or having people whispering answers to them, etc.) To answer your question skywalker, expect “tell me about yourself”, “why do you want to study in the US”, “why do you want to major in (subject)”, “why do you want to study at CMU”, “tell me about a book you’ve read/film you’ve seen”, etc. The questions in themselves aren’t difficult but they need to hear you formulate answers in English as if you were in an American classroom, and in an English-speaking seminar class. The answers need to be as developed and clear as possible.
Just for you guys to have an idea, I spent over $2000 this past year to “prove” that I can read and write English pretty decently to go to college in the US. The average monthly income here in Brazil is just $575, and considering the way our economy goes, it will probably get even worse.
I had 20 minutes to write, and I think the interview went pretty well. But you know, it’s a completely commercial thing, so the interview itself is completely impersonal. It is noticeable that the interviewer doesn’t care about anything you are saying, and they even try to sell you an InitialView t-shirt at the end.
CMU is the only college I applied to that required an InitialView interview. As I said, it has nothing to do with the traditional college interviews, since it’s mainly a means of evaluating your English communication skills (I really don’t know what the TOEFL is for then, but okay), and not related to the college at all.
There was just one college (CMU) out of the 13 I applied to that strongly recommended me to have the InitialView Interview. Usually, they require or recommend such “demonstration of strong English communication skills” for Chinese applicants, specially regarding the spread of test prep (read doubtful test prep) companies like New Oriental. For Brazilian applicants like me, it’s really the first year we have to follow similar requirements and, as you @MYOS1634 mentioned, be “punished” because of cheating scandals in other countries.
4 Ways College Interviews Help Admissions Officers Understand International Students
At a bare minimum, admissions officers, particularly if they are interviewing someone from a country where English is not one of the official languages, are looking to ensure that all of their students have the level of English communication skills necessary to be successful at their institutions.
There are many ways that schools gauge this ability as highlightedhere. However, at the end of the day, admissions officers aren’t using the interview for another score. What they really want to know is: Can this student “hang” when it comes to participating fully in college life? What will they be like as a roommate? Will they be able to contribute in class? When they open their mouths to share their opinions, will professors be impressed? What better way to prove your ability to “hang” than by having a conversation!
The Diversity of International Applicants
Admissions officers do the best they can. However, even before COVID, opportunities for international applicants to visit campuses and engage with admissions officers was limited. With travel now even more restricted, admissions officers are looking for new ways to better understand the diverse experiences and backgrounds of their international applicants. Interviews are a great way to do this.
Of course, many institutions review applications by territory. The admissions officers reviewing your file have hopefully over the years developed some familiarity with your high school. But even with the resources institutions might have, admissions officers do not always have the most up-to-date information about the various regions providing them with applications.
More critically, admissions officers are less likely to understand how you and your complex personal story fit in your high school. Having a conversation with you provides context and nuance to help them connect the dots of your story.
FAQ
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