Current Interview Questions: University of Chicago

Following up on the Princeton and MIT posts, I've had some feedback on interviewing at the University of Chicago that I wanted to put out there. Good luck! ---CJ

University of Chicago

Basic information about interviewing for the undergraduate college at the University of Chicago is here. Unlike many universities, Chicago actually offers on-campus interviews as well as interviews with local alumni. The school stresses that interviews are not officially a required part of the application process, however as I wrote about back in the spring, if you want to be a strong applicant you really should interview.

The main feedback from past interviewees

and interviewers alike: Remember that Chicago prides itself on being a very intellectual school. (Remember, this is the school that prides itself on disbanding its original football team in the late 1930s). Meaning: Be ready to talk about your academic interests. Sure, you'll get ample opportunity to discuss your extracurricular involvements, but 80% or more of your interview will probably focus on class work and intellectual interests.

One other repeated refrain: Be ready to go in-depth on anything you mention and don't BS--you're 99% guaranteed to get a follow-up question. You say you're interested in movies? Great, what type? Which ones? Why? As compared to which other ones (or other media)? What about foreign films? What do you think the future of the main-stream studio system is? If you could have written or directed one movie, what would it be and why? You get the idea.

With the caveat that all interviewers ask their own questions, some sample questions from past interviews include:

• Why Chicago? (if you're not ready for this one, you're not paying attention) (also: What do you love about U of C?)
• Why do you see the University of Chicago being a good fit for you? (One interviewer noted that you should be ready to talk about "The Core" with some competence, and explain why it's a fit with your intellectual goals)
  
• Have you ever visited the University of Chicago? 
• Where else are you applying?
• What extra-curricular activities are you passionate about? What do you do for fun?
• What classes are you taking this semester?
• What's been your favorite (or least favorite) class in high school? Why?
• What academic area interests you the most (or least)? Why?
• What book has had the most impact on you? What are some of your favorite books--either in or out of class?
  
• What role models do you look up to?
• If you were in an orchestra, what type of instrument would you be, and why?
• Who is your favorite philosopher, and how has their work influenced you?
  
• If you could acquire the traits of of one other person--anyone, living or dead--who would it be and why?
• What do you think is more effective--learning theory, or focusing on practical application? Why?
  
• If your application could be summed up in 10 words or less, what would those 10 words be?
• If you could change one thing about you or your background, experiences, etc, what would it be?
• If you could change two things in the world, what would you change and why?

Good luck! ---CJ