Skype Interview vs. Real Life interview

[jackgradus]

Do you think there are disadvantages to Skype interviews?

I certainly do. I know tons of people are oversees or otherwise can't make it to LA or NYC for an interview, so skype gives them an opportunity to interview when otherwise they might have had to phone in. Maybe Skype is marginally better than a phone interview, but I think neither hold a candle to an in person interview.

First of all, the interest in the school seems so much more pressing when you travel to interview with someone. Second, if you will pardon a bit of self-indulgence, I am a personable fellow and I feel like my best characteristics simply wouldn't come out in a skype conversation.

How much water does the interview hold? I know that for some programs, it's what gets you in. Meaning: everyone that gets an interview has made the cut-off, and now it's how well you do in the interview which will decide it. I'd feel terrified going into an interview where I feel i have a disadvantage (the skype type) when the interview is basically what is keeping me from acceptance. Regardless of whether there is a real disadvantage: interviews are such psychological games that if the interviewee doesn't feel at his best (like I would at a skype interview), then he really is setting him/herself up for failure.

Cheers

 

[attatae]

Good take on the situation. I agree that in-person is probably the best route to go, and I too would feel more comfortable doing that interview than any other. If you meet in person, that requires both people to be 100% committed to the talk, whereas the other interview methods allow for some distraction.

That said, I do have some friends that took the tactic of plastering the wall behind them in complete school propaganda for video interviews, such as usc posters and sweaters and such for that vid interview. lol funny stuff. I'd be a little less obvious, maybe put a collection of fancy books behind me or something

 

[jackgradus]

Well, how do you look at the stats? Do they publish any of them? What percentage of people that get an interview get accepted? I thought getting an interview meant you were halfway there.

As far as pasting USC stuff on the wall behind -- sounds like a cheap, childish trick.