NU Apps '11-'12 - Good Luck Hold Candidates!!!! <3 Forum

[Tim0thy222]

I just had my interview and it felt like a deal breaker.

Unless you completely bombed it (which doesn't really seem possible unless you said something racist/sexist/homophobic), I can't imagine what would give you that impression. What happened?

My interview was possibly a deal breaker too. A lot of people on here seem to make it sound like they're really easy, but I don't think they are necessarily so. I think it depends on who you get. I have had many interviews in my life and my interviewers are always impressed. Nearly every interview I've ever had has worked in my favor, including landing jobs where the odds were severely against me, so I know that it's not just like I don't know how to interview or am somehow offensive. The interviewer was pretty honest with me about it though. He liked me and had a lot of good things to say about me, but he was looking for something specific which I wasn't.

The friendly LSN graph says: "You are fine!"

http://northwestern.lawschoolnumbers.com/stats/1011/

Haha, thank you for the reassurance! Yeah, if they like my WE (a little over 1 year full-time sales during a break from college, and 2 years 35hrs/wk during college), I think it may overcome the interview. That said, I know I am competing with people who have much more extensive and much more impressive WE, so we'll see.

[EMZE]

My interview felt like it went poorly for many of the same reasons that young tim0thy22 mentioned. Granted (and heres where I sound like a tool) my interviewer seemed very impressed with my resume, combat leadership experience, undergrad instititution and all that stuff. But in the midst of all these relevant law questions, he started asking me what color the NU emblem was. I knew that. Then he asked me to describe it. I knew that. Then he asked me the football teams mascot and current record. I had no effin clue as I do not know anything about sports. I know that isn't a deal breaker, but I felt like the interview had transgressed from professional to where he just wanted to sharpshoot me. At the end during my questions, I asked what made a good lawyer, and he harped on "being prepared in advance" so I am certain that is why he asked those things. I just don't like being stumped, so that gave me those bad feelings.

And also, when I said that I personally have no interest whatsoever in biglaw, to the point where I would rather be unemployed than do big firm work, I don't think he liked that. (FYI I want to work for the fed gov). Obviously I didn't say it like that, but I tried to explain how I want to go to NU for its focus on leadership, and while working for the government in hopefully the CIA/DoS/DoJ, NU will give me a more practical, leadership oriented focus.

It wasn't that he didn't like my answers. But, to be brutally honest, I felt like he wanted me to be strictly motivated by pecuniary reasons. That I didn't ooh and ahh at the biglaw money stuff seemed to, I dunno, insult him.

In summary, I feel very discouraged about NU after my interview. It was hopeful to be admitted anyway, but I hoped to since it is a school that plays to my strengths in the realm of softs. But am really rethinking based on everthing i spoke about today.

[tmon]

My interview felt like it went poorly for many of the same reasons that young tim0thy22 mentioned. Granted (and heres where I sound like a tool) my interviewer seemed very impressed with my resume, combat leadership experience, undergrad instititution and all that stuff. But in the midst of all these relevant law questions, he started asking me what color the NU emblem was. I knew that. Then he asked me to describe it. I knew that. Then he asked me the football teams mascot and current record. I had no effin clue as I do not know anything about sports. I know that isn't a deal breaker, but I felt like the interview had transgressed from professional to where he just wanted to sharpshoot me. At the end during my questions, I asked what made a good lawyer, and he harped on "being prepared in advance" so I am certain that is why he asked those things. I just don't like being stumped, so that gave me those bad feelings.

And also, when I said that I personally have no interest whatsoever in biglaw, to the point where I would rather be unemployed than do big firm work, I don't think he liked that. (FYI I want to work for the fed gov). Obviously I didn't say it like that, but I tried to explain how I want to go to NU for its focus on leadership, and while working for the government in hopefully the CIA/DoS/DoJ, NU will give me a more practical, leadership oriented focus.

It wasn't that he didn't like my answers. But, to be brutally honest, I felt like he wanted me to be strictly motivated by pecuniary reasons. That I didn't ooh and ahh at the biglaw money stuff seemed to, I dunno, insult him.

In summary, I feel very discouraged about NU after my interview. It was hopeful to be admitted anyway, but I hoped to since it is a school that plays to my strengths in the realm of softs. But am really rethinking based on everthing i spoke about today.

The NU trivia bit you're describing is kind of ridiculous. Even though I know that stuff, and even if I'd answered it correctly, I'd probably come out of the interview wondering what the heck that was all about. As if knowing the sports mascot has anything to do with your success at law school.

[EMZE]

My interview felt like it went poorly for many of the same reasons that young tim0thy22 mentioned. Granted (and heres where I sound like a tool) my interviewer seemed very impressed with my resume, combat leadership experience, undergrad instititution and all that stuff. But in the midst of all these relevant law questions, he started asking me what color the NU emblem was. I knew that. Then he asked me to describe it. I knew that. Then he asked me the football teams mascot and current record. I had no effin clue as I do not know anything about sports. I know that isn't a deal breaker, but I felt like the interview had transgressed from professional to where he just wanted to sharpshoot me. At the end during my questions, I asked what made a good lawyer, and he harped on "being prepared in advance" so I am certain that is why he asked those things. I just don't like being stumped, so that gave me those bad feelings.

And also, when I said that I personally have no interest whatsoever in biglaw, to the point where I would rather be unemployed than do big firm work, I don't think he liked that. (FYI I want to work for the fed gov). Obviously I didn't say it like that, but I tried to explain how I want to go to NU for its focus on leadership, and while working for the government in hopefully the CIA/DoS/DoJ, NU will give me a more practical, leadership oriented focus.

It wasn't that he didn't like my answers. But, to be brutally honest, I felt like he wanted me to be strictly motivated by pecuniary reasons. That I didn't ooh and ahh at the biglaw money stuff seemed to, I dunno, insult him.

In summary, I feel very discouraged about NU after my interview. It was hopeful to be admitted anyway, but I hoped to since it is a school that plays to my strengths in the realm of softs. But am really rethinking based on everthing i spoke about today.

The NU trivia bit you're describing is kind of ridiculous. Even though I know that stuff, and even if I'd answered it correctly, I'd probably come out of the interview wondering what the heck that was all about. As if knowing the sports mascot has anything to do with your success at law school.

Well, glad I am not the only one that feels that way. Now, that said, I do feel comfortable in that I understand his intent was to see if I had done ANY research on the school. I just didn't like the feeling of someone sharpshooting me. I'm not exactly a K-JD, and at least in my profession, stuff like that is personal, so I hope my frank response wasn't over the top either. I appreciate the desire to see if I had done my research, but heck, ask me what legal clinic I am interested in at NU or what professor I would like to work with, not what their logo looks like..

[crumpetsandtea]

FWIW, it doesn't sound like it was deal-breaker serious for either of you. (: I agree that the trivia thing is silly, but I honestly cannot imagine anyone holding that against you in a serious sense. TBF though, the 'Why Chicago' and 'Why NU' are both very important questions for Northwestern (both for addenda and in the interview), and it probably would have been good to prepare some specific reasons for both of them. It's pretty standard for most schools to want to hear more than "prestige" and "I don't actually mind where I go to school" for Why X answers. Particularly when NU has been clear about its preference for the Why NU statement and its preference for incoming students who have done a lot of research into the school because they genuinely like it, not because it's ranked well. I don't think it's a deal-breaker, but I do understand why an interviewer might consider it a tip-off.

Were these off-campus interviews? That might also explain the discrepancies, but it would also suggest that it's less of a deal-breaker. Don't worry! (: You'll be fine, both of you.

[EMZE]

FWIW, it doesn't sound like it was deal-breaker serious for either of you. (: I agree that the trivia thing is silly, but I honestly cannot imagine anyone holding that against you in a serious sense. TBF though, the 'Why Chicago' and 'Why NU' are both very important questions for Northwestern (both for addenda and in the interview), and it probably would have been good to prepare some specific reasons for both of them. It's pretty standard for most schools to want to hear more than "prestige" and "I don't actually mind where I go to school" for Why X answers. Particularly when NU has been clear about its preference for the Why NU statement and its preference for incoming students who have done a lot of research into the school because they genuinely like it, not because it's ranked well. I don't think it's a deal-breaker, but I do understand why an interviewer might consider it a tip-off.

Were these off-campus interviews? That might also explain the discrepancies, but it would also suggest that it's less of a deal-breaker. Don't worry! (: You'll be fine, both of you.

I absolutely had an answer for Why NU, and I am pretty sure that was copacetic. As far as why chicago, I pretty much just explained my background and why I like big cities that are culutural/commerce centers since I grew up in NY etc. I also explained that I cannot travel to Chicago because I am physically unable, so I don't think any of those things hurt me. In fact, being aware of their proclivity for applicants that have done research, I did prepare answers for both those because their ranking has little to do with my desire to attend. I mentioned all that stuff they detail on their website about problem solving and leadership, blah blah blah. I actually really felt like he wanted me to say, because I want to make boat loads of money.

Whatevs though. At the end of the day I know that, if nothing else, my interviewer has a good idea of who I am based on the 2 hours we spent taling. If he believes that who I am does not mesh with who NU is, then obviously a rejection would serve us both well. Personally, I just hope the rest of the people I meet at NU if I am so fortunate as to attend are not similar to who interviewed me.

[bdubs]

Some people like to interview by putting people on the spot to see how they respond. Although I find this type of interview to less informative than a traditional substantive interview, you should get used to it because it's not uncommon.

The key is to not let it get to you after the fact. If the person shifted to this interview style it means 1) you probably passed the easy part of the interview with flying colors 2) they did this to almost everyone and will probably only judge you harshly if you completely buckled under the pressure.

[crumpetsandtea]

I absolutely had an answer for Why NU, and I am pretty sure that was copacetic. As far as why chicago....If he believes that who I am does not mesh with who NU is, then obviously a rejection would serve us both well. Personally, I just hope the rest of the people I meet at NU if I am so fortunate as to attend are not similar to who interviewed me.

I wasn't talking to you about the Why NU/Why Chicago part, I was talking to Timothy because he specifically said that he didn't really give a specific reason for either.

Like I said, I highly doubt the interview is a deal breaker for either of you, or anyone else for that matter. Just take a deep breath and relax, nothing we can do till decisions come out anyway (:

[Schola]

My interview felt like it went poorly for many of the same reasons that young tim0thy22 mentioned. Granted (and heres where I sound like a tool) my interviewer seemed very impressed with my resume, combat leadership experience, undergrad instititution and all that stuff. But in the midst of all these relevant law questions, he started asking me what color the NU emblem was. I knew that. Then he asked me to describe it. I knew that. Then he asked me the football teams mascot and current record. I had no effin clue as I do not know anything about sports. I know that isn't a deal breaker, but I felt like the interview had transgressed from professional to where he just wanted to sharpshoot me. At the end during my questions, I asked what made a good lawyer, and he harped on "being prepared in advance" so I am certain that is why he asked those things. I just don't like being stumped, so that gave me those bad feelings.

And also, when I said that I personally have no interest whatsoever in biglaw, to the point where I would rather be unemployed than do big firm work, I don't think he liked that. (FYI I want to work for the fed gov). Obviously I didn't say it like that, but I tried to explain how I want to go to NU for its focus on leadership, and while working for the government in hopefully the CIA/DoS/DoJ, NU will give me a more practical, leadership oriented focus.

It wasn't that he didn't like my answers. But, to be brutally honest, I felt like he wanted me to be strictly motivated by pecuniary reasons. That I didn't ooh and ahh at the biglaw money stuff seemed to, I dunno, insult him.

In summary, I feel very discouraged about NU after my interview. It was hopeful to be admitted anyway, but I hoped to since it is a school that plays to my strengths in the realm of softs. But am really rethinking based on everthing i spoke about today.

This, I feel, about sums up why NU was the only T14 school that I didn't bother applying to. What kind of school not only produces, but also taps for interviews, tools who consider it appropriate to ask about the football team's mascot and mediocre (at best) record?

[crumpetsandtea]

This, I feel, about sums up why NU was the only T14 school that I didn't bother applying to. What kind of school not only produces, but also taps for interviews, tools who consider it appropriate to ask about the football team's mascot and mediocre (at best) record?

Hey now...no need to bash the school and its alumni. There's nothing wrong with asking someone about the football team, many people follow the sport and he could have just been looking for a way to connect with the interviewee. I think it's a little silly that you would consider it inappropriate for an interview, as I've heard from many people who have gone through OCI that things like sports are very helpful for establishing a connection with their OCI interviewers.

Also, if you're not applying to NU and your only purpose here is to talk about why you don't want to apply, you are CLEARLY in the wrong place, and it would be great if you'd keep the negativity to other threads. TYIA.

[rinkrat19]

This, I feel, about sums up why NU was the only T14 school that I didn't bother applying to. What kind of school not only produces, but also taps for interviews, tools who consider it appropriate to ask about the football team's mascot and mediocre (at best) record?

Hey now...no need to bash the school and its alumni. There's nothing wrong with asking someone about the football team, many people follow the sport and he could have just been looking for a way to connect with the interviewee. I think it's a little silly that you would consider it inappropriate for an interview, as I've heard from many people who have gone through OCI that things like sports are very helpful for establishing a connection with their OCI interviewers.

Also, if you're not applying to NU and your only purpose here is to talk about why you don't want to apply, you are CLEARLY in the wrong place, and it would be great if you'd keep the negativity to other threads. TYIA.

His punishment for his needless jackassery will be to forever have this thread pop up in his 'view your posts' list.

[Tim0thy222]

I mentioned all that stuff they detail on their website about problem solving and leadership, blah blah blah. I actually really felt like he wanted me to say, because I want to make boat loads of money.

Whatevs though. At the end of the day I know that, if nothing else, my interviewer has a good idea of who I am based on the 2 hours we spent taling. If he believes that who I am does not mesh with who NU is, then obviously a rejection would serve us both well. Personally, I just hope the rest of the people I meet at NU if I am so fortunate as to attend are not similar to who interviewed me.

It's funny, because my situation was almost the opposite. My interviewer probably wanted me to detail the stuff on their website about problem solving and leadership, and I was just like "um, I want boat loads of money?"

Anyway, I think your attitude is good that if NU thinks you aren't a good fit, a rejection would serve you both well. I feel the same way about how mine went. I knew going into it that I may have benefited from pandering to their interest in someone who specifically wants NU and Chicago, but ultimately I didn't because I knew it would be unfair for them to misrepresent myself as such. Likewise, it sounds like you represented yourself exactly how you are. For me at least, even if I knew it would be a dealbreaker, I'd rather be rejected because they found out where I'm really coming from than be accepted because I pretended to like NU and Chicago specifically, when in reality this is not the case. There are plenty of other good schools out there.

That said, I will give NU a serious look if admitted, and like crumpetsandtea said, we're probably fine anyway.

[Tiago Splitter]

This, I feel, about sums up why NU was the only T14 school that I didn't bother applying to. What kind of school not only produces, but also taps for interviews, tools who consider it appropriate to ask about the football team's mascot and mediocre (at best) record?

Hey now...no need to bash the school and its alumni. There's nothing wrong with asking someone about the football team, many people follow the sport and he could have just been looking for a way to connect with the interviewee. I think it's a little silly that you would consider it inappropriate for an interview, as I've heard from many people who have gone through OCI that things like sports are very helpful for establishing a connection with their OCI interviewers.

Also, if you're not applying to NU and your only purpose here is to talk about why you don't want to apply, you are CLEARLY in the wrong place, and it would be great if you'd keep the negativity to other threads. TYIA.

His punishment for his needless jackassery will be to forever have this thread pop up in his 'view your posts' list.

LOL +1

[EMZE]

Some people like to interview by putting people on the spot to see how they respond. Although I find this type of interview to less informative than a traditional substantive interview, you should get used to it because it's not uncommon.

The key is to not let it get to you after the fact. If the person shifted to this interview style it means 1) you probably passed the easy part of the interview with flying colors 2) they did this to almost everyone and will probably only judge you harshly if you completely buckled under the pressure.

Well, fair enough. I've been interviewed and given interviews/boards for 5 years, and have never quite gotten the "stump the chump" deal. If it was to assess confidence/backbone then I don't foresee an issue. I just hope that responding with, "I don't follow collegiate or professional football whatsoever, and wouldn't at any school I attend" wasn't too insulting to his alumni pride. I wouldn't know what my undergraduates mascot was if I wasn't forced to attend the football games.

This, I feel, about sums up why NU was the only T14 school that I didn't bother applying to. What kind of school not only produces, but also taps for interviews, tools who consider it appropriate to ask about the football team's mascot and mediocre (at best) record?

Actually, I wish every school offered an interview, at least for those who aren't straight out of undergrad. My grades are not a reflection of how hard I work, at least not nearly as good as the last 5 years are. And it's hard to prepare for and take an LSAT in the midst of 80 hour work weeks, many of which are spent NOT sleeping in a bed. I feel like an interview is the only way to actually convey that point, because addenda feel like whining.

I wasn't talking to you about the Why NU/Why Chicago part, I was talking to Timothy because he specifically said that he didn't really give a specific reason for either.

Like I said, I highly doubt the interview is a deal breaker for either of you, or anyone else for that matter. Just take a deep breath and relax, nothing we can do till decisions come out anyway (:.

I apologize for my misreading!

And all told I am really not worried about it at all as far as my admissions chances go, but more so my image of what attending the school would be like. If rejected, well I've been rejected by a ton of pretty girls in my day. Significantly more than said yes.

[crumpetsandtea]

If anything, I think the disparity in topics/direction/etc of the interviews is further proof that they're only a screening system to make sure you're not a psycho killer or something, and not a deal-breaker in any way, shape or form.

[Samara]

If anything, I think the disparity in topics/direction/etc of the interviews is further proof that they're only a screening system to make sure you're not a psycho killer or something, and not a deal-breaker in any way, shape or form.

It seems to also be a screening process to funnel the type of student it wants towards NU. I think NU is trying to market itself towards a niche as the T14 school for the older, more work experienced and/or corporate-oriented student. They want matriculants who are there because of NU's character, not just its rankings or placement stats and the interview helps with that. I think it's a smart long-term strategy because of the inherent strengths of the university and it should build a passionate alumni base that will credit the school with their success more than other school's alumni might. Northwestern also consistently places in the NLJ250 above it's ranking, correct? This can be a major selling point and I think the interview helps with that process. Especially considering its competition with UChi. NU will never match UChi in academia placement and other areas, but they can compete on biglaw placement.

[Hopefully2012]

If anything, I think the disparity in topics/direction/etc of the interviews is further proof that they're only a screening system to make sure you're not a psycho killer or something, and not a deal-breaker in any way, shape or form.

It seems to also be a screening process to funnel the type of student it wants towards NU. I think NU is trying to market itself towards a niche as the T14 school for the older, more work experienced and/or corporate-oriented student. They want matriculants who are there because of NU's character, not just its rankings or placement stats and the interview helps with that. I think it's a smart long-term strategy because of the inherent strengths of the university and it should build a passionate alumni base that will credit the school with their success more than other school's alumni might. Northwestern also consistently places in the NLJ250 above it's ranking, correct? This can be a major selling point and I think the interview helps with that process. Especially considering its competition with UChi. NU will never match UChi in academia placement and other areas, but they can compete on biglaw placement.

There's a lot of truth to this. NU is definitely targeting the more experienced and mature law student. Out of the classes I've sat in on at various law schools, I definitely noticed how NU professors tend to treat their students more like grown ups who can take care of themselves (e.g. Cornell purposely blocks WiFi in most of their classrooms so students don't go on facebook during class while NU gives their students so much latitude that in the Civ Pro class I sat in on, the prof said the students were allowed to take their exams whenever they individually felt ready during midterms week). Just my 2 cents.

[JamMasterJ]

This, I feel, about sums up why NU was the only T14 school that I didn't bother applying to. What kind of school not only produces, but also taps for interviews, tools who consider it appropriate to ask about the football team's mascot and mediocre (at best) record?

Hey now...no need to bash the school and its alumni. There's nothing wrong with asking someone about the football team, many people follow the sport and he could have just been looking for a way to connect with the interviewee. I think it's a little silly that you would consider it inappropriate for an interview, as I've heard from many people who have gone through OCI that things like sports are very helpful for establishing a connection with their OCI interviewers.

Also, if you're not applying to NU and your only purpose here is to talk about why you don't want to apply, you are CLEARLY in the wrong place, and it would be great if you'd keep the negativity to other threads. TYIA.

His punishment for his needless jackassery will be to forever have this thread pop up in his 'view your posts' list.

LOL +1

post endlessly to keep it bumped

[JustE]

post endlessly to keep it bumped

I support that.

[crumpetsandtea]

Is it mid-December yet?

[Hopefully2012]

Is it mid-December yet?

Sure feels like it. It's beginning to rain pretty hard in SoCal

[bdubs]

Is it mid-December yet?

You'll be saying the same thing next year when 1L exams roll around. We can't wait for this to end....

[crumpetsandtea]

Is it mid-December yet?

Sure feels like it. It's beginning to rain pretty hard in SoCal

Oheyyyyy I'm in Socal too!!! Yeah it's all cold and rainy today ): ): Good thing I have no reason to leave the house at all so I can just sit inside with some tea, a blanket, and TLS

You'll be saying the same thing next year when 1L exams roll around. We can't wait for this to end....

Oh gosh I bet...all my 1L friends are telling me the best part of law school is that 3-4 month period where you know where you're attending school but it hasn't actually started yet. LOL

[Schola]

post endlessly to keep it bumped [/quote]

Admittedly I was being stupid (although I still think it is one thing to ask about, say, Ohio State's record and another thing to ask about NU's), but I'm not sure i really care if my top-law-school's reputation is forever tarnished...

[EMZE]

post endlessly to keep it bumped

Admittedly I was being stupid (although I still think it is one thing to ask about, say, Ohio State's record and another thing to ask about NU's), but I'm not sure i really care if my top-law-school's reputation is forever tarnished...

I wouldn't be able to answer that question either.