What Should I Expect in My University of Rochester Scholarship Interview?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the expectations and preparations for a scholarship interview at the University of Rochester, specifically for a Syrian student applying for a program in Electrical Engineering. Participants share insights on potential questions, interview dynamics, and language proficiency considerations.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses nervousness about the interview process, noting that interviews are not common in Syrian university applications.
  • Another participant suggests that interviewers typically want to understand the applicant's personality and interests, recommending a friendly demeanor and clear communication about their passion for Electrical Engineering.
  • Specific questions that may arise include inquiries about the applicant's interest in the university, hobbies, high school experiences, and local current events.
  • Concerns are raised about the assessment of spoken English proficiency during the interview, with a participant emphasizing that this may not be fully reflected in written tests.
  • There is uncertainty regarding the level of English used by the interviewer and the expected duration of the interview, with questions about whether it will exceed 30 minutes.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the importance of demonstrating personality and interest in the field during the interview. However, there is uncertainty regarding the specific nature of the questions and the interview format, indicating that multiple views remain on how to best prepare.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention the lack of prior experience with interviews in the Syrian education system, which may influence the applicant's approach and expectations. There is also a noted ambiguity regarding the English proficiency requirements and the interview's duration.

Who May Find This Useful

Students preparing for scholarship interviews, particularly those from non-Western educational backgrounds, may find the shared experiences and advice relevant.

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Hello
The University Of Rochester has a special scholarship program for Syrian students.
I as a Syrian citizen applied to this program and the Admission consular wants to set up an interview with me via Skype so that we can talk.
what do you think he's going to ask me.
any advice would be appreciated.

just for the record:
here in Syria ,we don't have to do any interview when applying to a university so I am really not familiar with this and really nervous about it too.

if you do have any suggestions ,please post them.


notes:
I am applying as a freshman to study Electrical Engineering.
my High school overall average is 72.55% .
the University didn't require me to send SAT or ACT scores.
I don't know if they're going to waive the English proficiency requirement yet. (they usually ask for TOEFL scores).



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During my freshman college interviews they basically wanted to get to know me as a person. Smile to the camera (literally) and be friendly, make sure to demonstrate your personality, and since you are applying for EE, know how to communicate your interest in the field (why you are interested in it and what in particular draws you.) Also, try not to show nervousness.

I'm not sure what questions they'd ask you, but they asked me some questions like "Why are you interested in this school?" "What hobbies do you do in your spare time?" "What might you be interested in majoring in?" "How was your high school experience?" Some also threw in a couple of random questions about the history of the town/place I came from, or current events going on in my local area. Make sure you prepare some good, specific answers to questions like these, and focus on the positive (or if there are any parts of your story that may not be so positive, dwell on the things you learned from it.)
 
In this particular case, certainly one thing they will want to determine is how good your spoken English is! (NOT always clear from a written test.)
 
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HallsofIvy said:
In this particular case, certainly one thing they will want to determine is how good your spoken English is! (NOT always clear from a written test.)


what kind of English do you think the interviewer is going to use with me?? Advanced English??
I have made a research about college interview questions and answers and I can talk about that fluently but I am afraid he will consider me a very good English speaker.

how much time will it take ?? do you think it will be more than 30 minutes?
 

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