As prospective students enter the interview stage at NYU, I am getting emails about the interview and how to prepare. I’ve answered each one, but I think it’s best if I put the answer out in the open as well.
First, congratulations on getting a call to interview. You’ve already made it past the biggest cut in the process. And I know you won’t believe me, but really, there is no way to prepare to “ace” this interview. It’s primarily because there are different faculty members in each interview and so it could go in any direction. Every classmate had a different experience based on who was in the room. The faculty are all great, so have fun meeting them.
Mine was completely crazy and they threw stuff at me and interrupted each other before I could even finish. But it was all good. Others had more normal interviews.
I’d say prepare for all the usual “interview stuff” and then go with the flow. You are all at this stage because you have something to offer – just show them what that is.
The most important thing is to be yourself. They are looking for who you are, what kind of stories you want to tell, what you want to do. Be honest with yourself and with them. The class is really diverse so there is no one “type” of person they are looking for.
And remember – it has to be a fit. They have to want you, but you have to want to be here. It’s intense, overwhelming and completely all-consuming. So use the time to see if you would enjoy it here. It’s going to be all of your waking hours and, at times, some of your sleeping hours too.
I can’t wait to meet the new first years!
Good luck!
Update: To be clear – this is not a detailed post on my interview. I am not doing that because talking about my interview would somehow imply other interviews will be like that. Which is exactly the opposite of the point I am trying to make. Instead of answering applicants individually, I hope this post will tell them what I would put in an email.
Hi, I've applied for the MFA Filmmaking for Fall 2010 and still have yet to get a call about an interview. It is February 28 already, should I simply interpret this as not even making the first cut? Which is certainly frustrating given the amount of work and money that went into applying but I rather know now than later.
Thanks
Alex
Hi Alex,
I don''t know the details of the interviewing schedule, but I doubt it. Send the the admissions office an email and inquire. I know they do interviews through April or so…
Good luck,
Shripriya
this is an interesting interview tip
http://infopediaonlinehere.blogspot.com/
Hi, Shripriya,
There are very beneficial tips and insight about Interview. But don't you also think that In interview its up to interviewee who drive the interview after few questions.
Mostly I observed that you can drive your interview in your favorable point of discussion.
this is a great article
http://www.infopediaonline.com
“The most important thing is to be yourself.” this is the most difficult thing to do as well. bcos if this is the point, why would you prepare for any interview? who needs preparation to be himself?
You don't think you need to prepare to be yourself? Being yourself doesn't mean you are thoughtless – it means you've reflected and spent some time delving into what's important to you and why; what kind of movies move you and why; what kind of emotions do you want to create; what's important to you; what do you truly value…
Knowing yourself is preparation in my book.
It's a balance. Yes, you can drive it a bit by asking a few questions. But 30 minutes flies by and in the Tisch interview, they usually shoot questions at you before you are even done answering the previous one. So your ability to drive is somewhat limited.