Tips for SMFA First-Years
To be honest, my first year at SMFA at Tufts was a bumpy road. I laughed a lot, cried a lot, but most importantly, I learned countless important life…
Interviewing Part 3: Advice from the interviewers
This fall, I was lucky enough to meet with some of our alumni interviewers as I traveled through my territories and they were super friendly (as you’d expect from Jumbos). They were also kind enough to share with us some tips, clarification and advice for interviews.
Be punctual
There is no point in getting stressed out about the interview. Just as for any other interview, set yourself up for success and arrive a little early if you can so you can make the best impression.
Be presentable, but be yourself
We don’t expect interviewees to turn up in a suit looking uncomfortable, but pajamas may be a little too relaxed. Wear something that is presentable and makes you feel comfortable and confident. If you have a virtual interview, make sure you're in a comfortable, quiet and well-lit environment so your interviewer can see and hear you.
Relax!
Interviewers are Jumbos too. They’re friendly and will try to put you at ease. Our interviews are meant to be informal conversations and an alumni interviewer’s job is to get to know you as a 3D human being and tell us a little more about you. If you need a moment to put a thoughtful answer together, then it’s completely fine to take a breath.
“It’s okay to say ‘I love Tufts’ … but we want to hear why.”
Interviewers shared that interviewees felt that they couldn’t say ‘I love Tufts’ in their interview, but that they were completely happy to hear those words – they interview for Tufts because they LOVE their alma mater. They want to hear the reasons why you’ve fallen in love with being a Jumbo. Think of this as a chance to talk about the points you weren't able to squeeze in your ‘Why Tufts?’ essay.
Know yourself
Be prepared to talk about your academic interests and why you like them. If you’re excited about the econ program at Tufts, make sure you’ve thought about how you would explain why you like the program. Sometimes when we get nervous it’s hard to find the words to explain the simplest things, but if you’ve taken the time before the interview to prepare and think about what you might say, you can do yourself justice. We’re looking for students with intellectual curiosity and here is your chance to show that side of yourself.
Come prepared with some good questions
Please don’t ask them something you can Google. Your interviewer may not know all the course details in the bio department if they majored in French or vice-versa, but they can tell you about their experiences or their friends’ experiences in and out of the classroom. Perhaps you want to hear about career opportunities or research experiences during college and beyond. If your interviewer is a current senior, they can even tell you about the classes they’re taking now or some hidden Jumbo gems!
And that’s it.
Be yourself and be thoughtful. You've got this.
Feature image used through creative commons license by Flickr user Charlene N Simmons. Click here for original image and license.
