|
 Honors Colloquium class participant, Kathleen Lask (right), is being interviewed by community leader, Charles Helleny (left), during one of many rigorous class sessions in the UHON111 course.
Interviews allow committee and panel members the opportunity to meet the applicants-put a face with a name-and challenge them to articulate their objectives "on their feet."
A number of highly desirable fellowships require personal interviews. Even the Fulbright, which considers its detailed application a "paper interview," requires an on-campus interview with a member of the campus Fulbright Committee. At the other extreme lies Coro, which invites its 30 finalists to a day-long series of interviews with between 60 and 70 judges. Other fellowships run the gamut between these poles: two one-on-one 1 1/2 hour sessions for the Hertz; six one-on-one 30-minute sessions for Luce finalists, plus an initial individual interview for all nominees; one 15-minute spot with a large committee for the Mitchell-in D.C., no less. The nature or format of the Rhodes and Marshall interviews, perhaps the most daunting of all in the collective university imagination, simply cannot be predicted. They might run 20 minutes, or 40. Candidates have described their experiences variously as "boring," "conversational," "confrontational," "nerve-wracking," and "electric." While such differing reactions may reflect individual candidates' tolerance for intense engagement, the only constant in these interviews is that they in turn reflect the composition of the differing committees who conduct the sessions in states (Rhodes) or regions (Marshall).
 Kelsey Jarrett (right), is being interviewed by Susan Logue, Mayor Brad Cole, and Michael Batinski. Kelsey is a Freshman for Coulterville, IL majoring in microbiology.
Interview-heavy fellowships, like the Truman, have challenged many of our students. Those who have been finalists share a number of qualities:
They are extremely well read-not only in their area of expertise, but also in others further afield. Students in computer science may draw questions on film and literature. A major in political science may be asked the meaning of art. An economist may find herself answering questions about biology or Camus.
- They are well versed in the broader social and ethical implications of their field of specialty.
- They have a firm grasp of ongoing scholarship in their field and have thought deeply about how their own current research fits into that overall picture.
- They keep an eye on current affairs-not simply about events, but also about the implications of international developments for U.S. policy. They listen to NPR faithfully and read The Economist, the New York Times, New Republic, Slate online, and other weighty sources of news.
- They question everything.
At age 20, 21, or 22, even the most articulate SIUC student may be intimidated by the prospect of appearing before a committee of six to nine senior CEO's and professors. The shyest among them may fear that they have no chance. Among recent winners, however, are the following: one student who had never been in an interview situation in her life, another who felt self-conscious about appearing in public, and another who vastly preferred small seminars to a forum such as he faced. Career Services offers workshops on interview preparation, and the Major Scholarship Council runs mock interviews for students chosen to interview for national fellowships. Our best advice? That you keep your mind on your goal-what the program and fellowships offer you for further study, travel, and reflection.
Other Related Sources
|
