Real Student Example:
Tell me about yourself.
I’m Alan Yu, an American-born Chinese who lives in Shanghai. I study at Living Word Shanghai and am currently in 11th grade. I am currently taking several AP courses, and I am planning to apply for the math major. I have explored a lot in math. For example, I have won awards in many math competitions. This year, I am doing research about using queuing theory to reduce crowding problems in our school’s cafeteria. Moreover, I do a lot of activities outside of class, such as developing games and composing music. I have studied piano since elementary school. Since high school, I’ve learned to compose music, and I’ve written dozens of electronic music tracks and uploaded them on the Netease music platform. I’ve also developed a music game of my own, which is now released on Testflight for testers. Oh yeah, I also organized a global math competition with a bunch of people several weeks ago. Lots of schools in different cities, like Shanghai and Beijing, participated in this contest. I think we did a pretty successful job. I also play soccer and badminton with my classmates. At home, I also like to do baking. Well overall, I only have a little contact with commercial things, so I think participating in this program will be very helpful to me.
Translated with DeepL.com (free version)
| 1. | Tell me about yourself. - from China - Studied in the US for 3 years - love drinking tea and coffee; baking - learned how to play the guitar - fav. Sports: golf; how many years? Suggestions: Don’t share about a specific school (only share about specific school if it’s an AO/alumni/current student’s interview; go a little slower when you share about yourself. Leave some time for the interviewer to digest your information; think about 5-6 things that you really want to share; only share things that you want the interviewers to know and things that you are able to elaborate further. |
| 2. | Tell me about your high school. - I attended Living Word Shanghai, - Offer AP and A-level classes What was the hardest in terms of adapting to this school? - the Chinese and American teaching system How did you adapt? - Increase communication; in classroom and after class |
| 3. | If you could do one thing in high school differently, what would it be? - MUN in high school - difficult to participate in MUN in his junior year Suggestion: For this question, focus not only on what you’d want to do differently for yourself. Also focus on what you want to change in your school that will benefit others/more people. What is that one thing about your high school that you want to change (for other people)? - Helped the school with decoration; the purple lantern and blue lantern do not go together. - Issue: Parents donate decoration which is why sometimes the colors or items don’t go together. Suggestion: Now that you have identified the issue, when answering this question, come up with a plan on what you would do to address this issue. |
| 4. | Who in your life has most influenced you? - Mom; studied abroad in Singapore; works in travel agency - Took care of him; encourages him to expand his horizon (experience different things and not stay at one place; travel to different countries. How many countries have you been to? 5 countries. What was a memorable experience?) A series of snow mountains in Canada, the sky is really blue. - Was there a happy or sad memory? Travelled to Taiwan but there was a Typhoon; rode bikes with his family; sang in the rain. - failed in high school entrance exam Suggestion: Avoid saying this; don’t highlight this in interviews. - Mom is strict about his academics and how he gets along with people (Socializing) How would you describe your relationship with your parents? - Very close; tells them everything |
| 5. | Tell me about a challenge that you overcame. |
| 6. | What do you do for fun during your free time? - Baking (cookies and making tea) Do you also cook? - Host family is very busy so they don’t cook. - What would you say about your cooking skills? Are you just good enough for yourself? - he thinks he is better in cooking than baking - he just started baking - runs in his family; dad cooks a lot and grandpa cooks a lot too Suggestion: It would be an interesting topic to touch on; cooking; gender equality; stereotype; what cooking (male family members at home) has taught you about the society?; maybe your manly outlook doesn’t fit cooking but you have this hidden talent; how cooking and baking would reflect your gentle and caring side. How would your friends describe you? - active, humorous, formal, calm, precise |
| 7. | What do you see yourself doing 10 years from now? - Engage in Business or Financial industry - Market management; actuary - learning how to play the guitar - continue learning chess (why?); something he wants to learn because he doesn’t have deep understanding Suggestion: When asked about “what do you hope to do or learn when in college/in the future/” --- something not related to academics”, you can also consider this answer about chess. - afternoon tea party (Why is this so important? Does it help connect you to your family members or friends? Is it a tradition at home?) |
| 8. | What did you do last summer? Last winter? |
| 9. | What do you do best? Suggestion: Provide interviewers with two answers (academic and non-academic); this way, it will reflect that you have thought about it thoroughly. Also, it demonstrates your interview skills/speaking ability. The ability to elaborate. - Good at memorizing and organizing information - e.g. in baking and cooking; in making friends and socializing; in academics Suggestions: Other areas you can focus on would be maybe, share a subject you are strong at. If you have not mentioned sketch comedy or Xiangsheng, use this question to tell them about these skills. |
| Is there anything else you would like to add? Suggestion: Share about that 1-2 things that you did not have the opportunity to share in your interview. Is there anything you would like to ask? Suggestion: this question is usually applicable in alumni/current student/AO interviews. Don’t ask questions that you can find online or on their website “Internship Opportunity”. | |
| 10. | Who do you most admire? |
| 11. | What is your biggest weakness? |
| 12. | Tell me about your family. |
| 13. | What makes you special? |
| 14. | What three adjectives best describe you? |
| 15. | What historical figure so you most admire? |
| 16. | What high school experience was most important to you? |
| 17. | Tell me about your community. |
| 18. | What is your career goal? |
| 19. | Describe an experience in which you worked as a part of a team. |
| 20. | Describe what sort of things you do as a family. |
| 21. | If you are having a bad day, what types of things do you do to cheer yourself up? |
| 22. | Tell me about your friends. |
| 23. | Recommend a good book to me. Why? |
| 24. | If you had a thousand dollars to give away, what would you do with it? |
| 25. | Is there anything else you would like to add? |