WUSTL c/o 2016 Applicants (2012-2013) Forum

[shntn]

From what I've gathered so far (which is not much, mind you), it seems to be a UVA-esque soft interview for people they've already decided they'd like to admit. I'd guess they just want to gauge interest and make sure they're not admitting a bunch of people who have no actual interest in the school. If I'm right, an interview offer is a very, very good thing.

[Paraflam]

Just got off the phone with WUSTL for my phone interview. She was extremely friendly, very conversational, which was very comforting since I had no idea what I was getting into (no precedent for WUSTL interviews, after all).

She asked about my low GPA (super-splitter), and I didn't offer any excuses, just that I was trying to show through my subsequent work experience that I had grown and exhibited the level of discipline and accountability needed to succeed. We briefly went over my personal statement and resume, but I think it was just to check my pulse to make sure I really was as passionate as I let on in writing. I asked a few questions I had about WUSTL specifically.

But here's the kicker: she offered me unofficial admission on the phone, and promised that an official letter (and more info on the DC clinic, which I had asked about) was forthcoming via e-mail. In at WUSTL! There is no one I don't love right now. Especially in the great city of St. Louis, and especially in the halls of WULS!

Congrats!! I want to move my interview further up now!

[ks2499]

Just got off the phone with WUSTL for my phone interview. She was extremely friendly, very conversational, which was very comforting since I had no idea what I was getting into (no precedent for WUSTL interviews, after all).

She asked about my low GPA (super-splitter), and I didn't offer any excuses, just that I was trying to show through my subsequent work experience that I had grown and exhibited the level of discipline and accountability needed to succeed. We briefly went over my personal statement and resume, but I think it was just to check my pulse to make sure I really was as passionate as I let on in writing. I asked a few questions I had about WUSTL specifically.

But here's the kicker: she offered me unofficial admission on the phone, and promised that an official letter (and more info on the DC clinic, which I had asked about) was forthcoming via e-mail. In at WUSTL! There is no one I don't love right now. Especially in the great city of St. Louis, and especially in the halls of WULS!

Congrats! That is incredibly heartening news!

[danitt]

From what I've gathered so far (which is not much, mind you), it seems to be a UVA-esque soft interview for people they've already decided they'd like to admit. I'd guess they just want to gauge interest and make sure they're not admitting a bunch of people who have no actual interest in the school. If I'm right, an interview offer is a very, very good thing.

This makes an interesting point. A lot of schools call to admit you. Supposed you're like rude or aspie as fuck, do they just not even bother to say that you're admitted?

[timeandspace11]

Just got off the phone with WUSTL for my phone interview. She was extremely friendly, very conversational, which was very comforting since I had no idea what I was getting into (no precedent for WUSTL interviews, after all).

She asked about my low GPA (super-splitter), and I didn't offer any excuses, just that I was trying to show through my subsequent work experience that I had grown and exhibited the level of discipline and accountability needed to succeed. We briefly went over my personal statement and resume, but I think it was just to check my pulse to make sure I really was as passionate as I let on in writing. I asked a few questions I had about WUSTL specifically.

But here's the kicker: she offered me unofficial admission on the phone, and promised that an official letter (and more info on the DC clinic, which I had asked about) was forthcoming via e-mail. In at WUSTL! There is no one I don't love right now. Especially in the great city of St. Louis, and especially in the halls of WULS!

Congrats!! And thx for this informative post. Im more excited about my interview on Monday now.

[ks2499]

From what I've gathered so far (which is not much, mind you), it seems to be a UVA-esque soft interview for people they've already decided they'd like to admit. I'd guess they just want to gauge interest and make sure they're not admitting a bunch of people who have no actual interest in the school. If I'm right, an interview offer is a very, very good thing.

This makes an interesting point. A lot of schools call to admit you. Supposed you're like rude or aspie as fuck, do they just not even bother to say that you're admitted?

From what I understand from admissions officers from other schools, to a certain extent, it is the prerogative of the caller to decide whether or not to extend an offer of admission at that time. It doesn't mean you're out, but they don't have to let you in right then either.

[dproduct]

My interview is set for next Wednesday. They probably think the availability I gave them is crazy... I had to smash it in between tutoring (finals time is where the $$$ is).

I'm nervous/excited/nervous.

[North]

Just got off the phone with WUSTL for my phone interview. She was extremely friendly, very conversational, which was very comforting since I had no idea what I was getting into (no precedent for WUSTL interviews, after all).

She asked about my low GPA (super-splitter), and I didn't offer any excuses, just that I was trying to show through my subsequent work experience that I had grown and exhibited the level of discipline and accountability needed to succeed. We briefly went over my personal statement and resume, but I think it was just to check my pulse to make sure I really was as passionate as I let on in writing. I asked a few questions I had about WUSTL specifically.

But here's the kicker: she offered me unofficial admission on the phone, and promised that an official letter (and more info on the DC clinic, which I had asked about) was forthcoming via e-mail. In at WUSTL! There is no one I don't love right now. Especially in the great city of St. Louis, and especially in the halls of WULS!

Wow, congrats bro! I'm excited to see if this holds up as the standard when more people report back here.

I'm curious, though -- how did going over your PS work? Asking about the resume makes sense, but I don't know how I'd prepare answers about a PS. What kind of stuff did she ask?

[bananasplit19]

I'm curious, though -- how did going over your PS work? Asking about the resume makes sense, but I don't know how I'd prepare answers about a PS. What kind of stuff did she ask?

My PS was about my passion for public policy and what I want to do as a lawyer. She just touched on it, maybe to see if my verbal explanation/reiteration matched what was written in terms of tone and energy level - that's just my guess. Anyway, since I actually am passionate about it (and I hope you're passionate about what you wrote in your personal statement too!), I just had to be myself, and I was good to go.

[Paraflam]

I'm curious, though -- how did going over your PS work? Asking about the resume makes sense, but I don't know how I'd prepare answers about a PS. What kind of stuff did she ask?

My PS was about my passion for public policy and what I want to do as a lawyer. She just touched on it, maybe to see if my verbal explanation/reiteration matched what was written in terms of tone and energy level - that's just my guess. Anyway, since I actually am passionate about it (and I hope you're passionate about what you wrote in your personal statement too!), I just had to be myself, and I was good to go.

Who did you speak with? And did she ask any typical interview-type questions, like "tell me about a time when you demonstrated leadership", "strengths/weaknesses", why Wash U, etc? How long did it last? My interview is tomorrow morning.

[bananasplit19]

Who did you speak with? And did she ask any typical interview-type questions, like "tell me about a time when you demonstrated leadership", "strengths/weaknesses", why Wash U, etc? How long did it last? Thanks!!

Spoke with Mary Ann Clifford, took around 20 minutes, no tooth-pulling interview questions like that. It was really conversational. I guess she might have asked "why Wash U" if I hadn't already jumped the gun mid-conversation and talked about why I wanted to go.

[lookingforwardtols]

Thanks, Banana. Anybody else have interviews yet? What kind of questions were asked?

[justme17]

Just finished my interview with Mary Ann Clifford, and my experience was very similar to Banana's. She was very warm and friendly, the interview was relaxed and conversational, and I was also informally offered admission at the end (yay!!).

There were no big surprises in the interview. She asked about how I had ended up at my undergrad university, why I had chosen my field of study, what I wanted to do with my law degree, that sort of thing. We touched on a lot of topics from my personal statement, but that might have been because my PS addressed the questions I just listed. She also took time to answer any questions I had, and spent some time talking up Wash U as it related to our conversation, but it didn't feel like they were just calling to do a sales pitch. She addressed "why Wash U?" but since I gave specific reasons for my interest in my application, it was more that the reasons I brought up were woven into the conversation - it never felt like I had to convince them not to YP me. The whole process felt like it was much more about getting to know their prospective applicants than about grilling us in any way.

Anyway, good luck to everyone who's waiting on an interview! Expect good things!

[ks2499]

Just finished my interview with Mary Ann Clifford, and my experience was very similar to Banana's. She was very warm and friendly, the interview was relaxed and conversational, and I was also informally offered admission at the end (yay!!).

There were no big surprises in the interview. She asked about how I had ended up at my undergrad university, why I had chosen my field of study, what I wanted to do with my law degree, that sort of thing. We touched on a lot of topics from my personal statement, but that might have been because my PS addressed the questions I just listed. She also took time to answer any questions I had, and spent some time talking up Wash U as it related to our conversation, but it didn't feel like they were just calling to do a sales pitch. She addressed "why Wash U?" but since I gave specific reasons for my interest in my application, it was more that the reasons I brought up were woven into the conversation - it never felt like I had to convince them not to YP me. The whole process felt like it was much more about getting to know their prospective applicants than about grilling us in any way.

Anyway, good luck to everyone who's waiting on an interview! Expect good things!

Congrats! Did she give you any indication of when you would hear from them officially?

[justme17]

Thanks! To be totally honest, I don't remember exactly when she said to expect it, but it was definitely soon (like, within the next few weeks.)

[Paraflam]

Just got off the phone with Mary Ann Clifford, IN!!!!

[shntn]

Just got off the phone with Mary Ann Clifford, IN!!!!

Congrats, bro!

[TheThriller]

Just got off the phone with Mary Ann Clifford, IN!!!!

Hell yea Para!

[jrstephens1991]

So I'm guessing if we didn't get an interview invite that it is a bad thing? My status still says application complete.

For those offered interviews, was your apps under review at that time?

[Paraflam]

Thanks man!!

She also mentioned that their scholarship budget will be coming out in February, and that they're putting me under consideration for one. Made my day!

[TheThriller]

So I'm guessing if we didn't get an interview invite that it is a bad thing?

I would think if your numbers are median+ (Lsat, gpa or both) then I wouldn't worry to much about it.

[ks2499]

So I'm guessing if we didn't get an interview invite that it is a bad thing? My status still says application complete.

For those offered interviews, was your apps under review at that time?

I think it just means you aren't in the first wave. I wouldn't read into beyond that.

My interview is tomorrow and I haven't changed from Complete as of this morning.

[North]

Just scheduled the interview for Monday with Krystal Orr. I am pretty excited about it now that I know that good things generally happen at the end of them. My Vandy interview, on the other hand...

[ks2499]

Interestingly, they mention the interviews right on their website: http://law.wustl.edu/admissions/pages.aspx?id=9556. I hadn't noticed that previously. Somehow, I don't think it's quite the same.

[WhatOurBodiesAreFor]

In via the phone interview.

I second that WUSTL values that you have scheduled the interview. If you are offered one but do not schedule one, this may be where YP comes into play. Maybe it's this.


Edit: grammar