Usf fall 2016

mrphil79 · Jun 21, 2016

2nd degree.

5 questions.

I was in for about 10-12 minutes and I think I had a long interview.

They can't ask follow-ups in order to keep the judging consistent, so your answer needs to be good on the first try.

You can ask questions afterward, but they can't answer anything about the interview, only about the program.

Thursday Girl · Jun 21, 2016

I feel I did badly in my interview. I was so nervous. Hopefully, my grades can compensate for that. I hashed out my answers with my sister, and she thinks I may have done better than I think.

Oh, and they are accepting 50 people to upper division, and 30 to the accelerated program. There were over 700 initial applicants. 180 received interviews, about 150 scheduled interviews. We'll be notified by Friday either way. Although, in the event they get slammed with work (or something) the latest we would know is next Monday or Tuesday.

mrphil79 · Jun 21, 2016

I feel I did badly in my interview. I was so nervous. Hopefully, my grades can compensate for that.

I got the distinct impression that everyone who got an interview was on equal footing - like at this point the decisions are entirely based on the interview.

Thursday Girl · Jun 21, 2016

I got the distinct impression that everyone who got an interview was on equal footing - like at this point the decisions are entirely based on the interview.

Yes, in all likelihood you are right. I suppose I should have considered that.

I feel much better about it now, thanks.

mrphil79 · Jun 21, 2016

Yes, in all likelihood you are right. I suppose I should have considered that.
I feel much better about it now, thanks.

Woah... Way to make a generic statement from a complete stranger on the internet all personal...

Thursday Girl · Jun 21, 2016

I literally meant that you are right about that, and it wasn't something I had thought of. My GPA is a little higher than the others who have received interviews, but you are right, at this point we are on fairly even footing. It wasn't meant to be sarcastic or snarky.

The "I feel much better" was sarcastic because it is rather like kicking someone while they are down. It just doesn't seem like your comment was kind or really needed at the moment.

joysette · Jun 21, 2016

@Thursday Girl: Sometimes when we think we've done poorly/well, it's just the opposite. I'm sure you're being very self-critical at the moment on the other side of the interview (whereas I get to be a nervous wreck until tomorrow morning at 830). There are plenty of slots, including alternates. A lot of competitive candidates apply to multiple places and don't accept the position offered at USF.

Thank you also for the admissions info! It sounds like they will be taking about 50% of interviewees, so that is really quite a large number (I once applied to a PhD program where they interviewed about 40/50 students and accepted just 5!).

Did you apply to other schools?

mrphil79 · Jun 21, 2016

The "I feel much better" was sarcastic because it is rather like kicking someone while they are down. It just doesn't seem like your comment was kind or really needed at the moment.

Yeah, I know exactly what you meant.

I'm saying it was an overreaction about a general statement from a stranger about my perception of the process and you took it, at least on some level, as an attack.

joysette · Jun 21, 2016

....

No bickering guys, we're all on the same page :) Anyway Phil I didn't know how to specifically reply to you without grabbing a quote. Did you feel that you tried to highlight as much about yourself in answering their questions? Like other interviews--coming in armed with things you wanted to talk about and included them in your answers?

Good luck everyone. I'm glad we find out Friday. Also saw a lot of people on this board get in which to me implies the people here chatting and thinking about it are good material for the program. :)

mrphil79 · Jun 21, 2016

No bickering guys, we're all on the same page :) Anyway Phil I didn't know how to specifically reply to you without grabbing a quote. Did you feel that you tried to highlight as much about yourself in answering their questions? Like other interviews--coming in armed with things you wanted to talk about and included them in your answers?
Good luck everyone. I'm glad we find out Friday. Also saw a lot of people on this board get in which to me implies the people here chatting and thinking about it are good material for the program. :)

I wanted to answer in a way that showed them a whole lot about me in a short amount of time. I'd heard these were averaging 5 minutes, so I knew I had to pack a lot into each answer without being overwhelming.

I looked up the questions that used to be on the essay and came up with rock solid answers based on that. It was good prep.

I also anticipated the typical strength/weakness questions that come up in interviews.

With every answer I tried to tell a story about myself that would show who I am without babbling.

I feel it went great. They seemed incredibly receptive to me and put off a great vibe at the end.

But ultimately, how I feel doesn't matter - what matters is what the email on Friday says.

joysette · Jun 21, 2016

Awesome! :) Yes, typically when interviews are short it's because people keep their answers relatively short and don't provide all of the information.

I feel like when I'm practicing the answers I do babble a bit as I work out what works best. I feel like after 10+ years of job interviews those standard questions are generally straightforward. And of course everyone should have a good idea as to why they want to become a nurse. I was really appreciative of a conversation with a friend who is a nurse and sat on an ethics board. I feel like that really helped me to be able to formulate responses to the ethical questions.

I've been in the health field for a long time so I'm feeling confident but, as you said, what matters in the email on Friday! Best of luck!

dogunrinde · Jun 22, 2016

Don't feel bad! I'm sure you did fine. When I had my interview I thought I did so horrible and I was so nervous but I ended up getting accepted so you might not have done as bad as you think you did :)