College interview advice (University of Miami)

[simba928]

I was "invited" (anyone on their mailing list was invited) to do an interview with University of Miami (FL). They are coming to town in a few weeks and will be at a hotel right down the street from me, so I figured why not. I am already very nervous about it and have yet to schedule my appointment. UM is my top choice. My parents want me to start out closer to home and since it would be out of state, it is very expensive. However, they have agreed to let me apply this year and if I can get a decent amount of scholarships, then we can talk about it. We went to visit UM a couple months ago (down there visiting friends, so stopped by) and I completely fell in love. If I went anywhere else, it would truly be just "settling" for me.

Anyways, what should I expect for the interview? Any advice? I would be majoring in psychology if that makes a difference.

Also, does anybody have any experience with UM? I would love to hear the good, bad, and ugly.

 

[KimAshton]

Good luck.

 

[Talking Hands]

Godd luck. Just be honest and relax they don't bite. Univ of Miami is the greatest but it is expensive. I met my dh there when we were students. I have my BS from there and my has both BBA and MBA from there. My daughter also went there for a time as a music major.

 

[simba928]

Thanks!

Any more advice?

 

[Green Tea]

It is private, so it doesn't really matter if your are in or out of state, tuition is the same. Private schools often end up being better bargins than state schools because they more completely fund financial aid because of endowments.

Go to a local college for an admissions interview before the Miami one. That gives an idea of what to expect.

You have visited so you know a great deal more than many who interview. These are low key. They are trying to sell Miami to you as much as you are selling yourself to them. Ask about access to faculty-what % of freshmen classes are taught by professors vs. graduate teaching assistants. Ask about internships psychology students often participate in. Is it a full residential community, or after freshman year does everyone live off campus? Class size for freshmen classes? Grad school acceptance rates for the department you are interested in. Would you immediately be assigned a faculty advisor in your major, or not until junior year? Do you offer honor scholarships, and what are the general profiles of the students who are awarded merit fuding?

They might ask you what you like about Miami? What are your fav. HS courses. What has been your biggest challenge in hs. Give 3 adjectives that people in your HS would use to describe you. What book are you currently reading? Tell us about your extra curriculars. Why psychology? In what field are your parents employeed? Why did you take regualar government and English instead of AP? or Was that tought having 5 AP courses in your junior year? What were your SATs or your GPA?

 

[simba928]

It is private, so it doesn't really matter if your are in or out of state, tuition is the same. Private schools often end up being better bargins than state schools because they more completely fund financial aid because of endowments.

Go to a local college for an admissions interview before the Miami one. That gives an idea of what to expect.

You have visited so you know a great deal more than many who interview. These are low key. They are trying to sell Miami to you as much as you are selling yourself to them. Ask about access to faculty-what % of freshmen classes are taught by professors vs. graduate teaching assistants. Ask about internships psychology students often participate in. Is it a full residential community, or after freshman year does everyone live off campus? Class size for freshmen classes? Grad school acceptance rates for the department you are interested in. Would you immediately be assigned a faculty advisor in your major, or not until junior year? Do you offer honor scholarships, and what are the general profiles of the students who are awarded merit fuding?

They might ask you what you like about Miami? What are your fav. HS courses. What has been your biggest challenge in hs. Give 3 adjectives that people in your HS would use to describe you. What book are you currently reading? Tell us about your extra curriculars. Why psychology? In what field are your parents employeed? Why did you take regualar government and English instead of AP? or Was that tought having 5 AP courses in your junior year? What were your SATs or your GPA?

Thank you so much! You really helped a ton! I was mostly nervous because I had no idea what to ask them or what they would ask me.