Northwestern c/o 2020 WAITLIST Forum

[BEng,MBA,FRM,JD(?)]

Has anyone taken the interview yet? Any inputs on the type of questions would be appreciated.

I took it this morning and it wasn't bad at all.

I think this time around they are more just looking to see who you are as a person and whether you'd be a genuinely likable person to have in class. There were 3 video questions and 2 written questions with a 15-minute response time for the written ones.

Thanks a lot. Can you tell he much preparation time and facetime for video questions ?

[amta]

Has anyone taken the interview yet? Any inputs on the type of questions would be appreciated.

I took it this morning and it wasn't bad at all.

I think this time around they are more just looking to see who you are as a person and whether you'd be a genuinely likable person to have in class. There were 3 video questions and 2 written questions with a 15-minute response time for the written ones.

where the written responses part of your 5 questions?

[jurisdoctor2020]

Has anyone taken the interview yet? Any inputs on the type of questions would be appreciated.

I took it this morning and it wasn't bad at all.

I think this time around they are more just looking to see who you are as a person and whether you'd be a genuinely likable person to have in class. There were 3 video questions and 2 written questions with a 15-minute response time for the written ones.

where the written responses part of your 5 questions?

Yes - 3 video questions and 2 written questions for 5 questions total.

[amta]

Yes - 3 video questions and 2 written questions for 5 questions total.

were the questions pretty straightforward?

[LegallyBlackJD]

Has anyone taken the interview yet? Any inputs on the type of questions would be appreciated.

I took it this morning and it wasn't bad at all.

I think this time around they are more just looking to see who you are as a person and whether you'd be a genuinely likable person to have in class. There were 3 video questions and 2 written questions with a 15-minute response time for the written ones.

15 minutes for each of the written responses - or 15 minutes total? Sorry to nag lol.

Also, video questions response time was 1 minute each or 3 minutes each?

[blelwoods]

Has anyone taken the interview yet? Any inputs on the type of questions would be appreciated.

I took it this morning and it wasn't bad at all.

I think this time around they are more just looking to see who you are as a person and whether you'd be a genuinely likable person to have in class. There were 3 video questions and 2 written questions with a 15-minute response time for the written ones.

15 minutes for each of the written responses - or 15 minutes total? Sorry to nag lol.

Also, video questions response time was 1 minute each or 3 minutes each?

What were the written response questions on?

[sorence]

Just withdrew from the WL today- goo luck y'all!

[sfn91]

Has anyone taken the interview yet? Any inputs on the type of questions would be appreciated.

I took it this morning and it wasn't bad at all.

I think this time around they are more just looking to see who you are as a person and whether you'd be a genuinely likable person to have in class. There were 3 video questions and 2 written questions with a 15-minute response time for the written ones.

15 minutes for each of the written responses - or 15 minutes total? Sorry to nag lol.

Also, video questions response time was 1 minute each or 3 minutes each?

Each, and three minutes.

[melmelcoolj]

Has anyone taken the interview yet? Any inputs on the type of questions would be appreciated.

I took it this morning and it wasn't bad at all.

I think this time around they are more just looking to see who you are as a person and whether you'd be a genuinely likable person to have in class. There were 3 video questions and 2 written questions with a 15-minute response time for the written ones.

15 minutes for each of the written responses - or 15 minutes total? Sorry to nag lol.

Also, video questions response time was 1 minute each or 3 minutes each?

Each, and three minutes.

Thanks! That's really helpful. That seems much longer than the Cornell interview, which was 5 minute written responses + 1 minute interview questions. I hated the Cornell interview format, because I am was cut off in mid-sentence; and the five minute written responses are usually on super complicated topics, and it was just frantic typing.

[Windjammer]

Did the WL-interview this morning. I think it's safe to assume that the invite for an interview goes out to everyone who previously declined to be interviewed (as I did). If you interviewed before, there's perhaps a chance that they don't solicit additional information from you since (or if) they feel they already have a good impression of you as a person.

As to the interview itself, I understand that the confusingly mentioned 'status page' is actually the KIRA interview page itself (which will be linked to in your invite email). The page records all your previous inputs once you're registered, including computer set-up or already completed questions. You can't re-do questions but you can elect to do some questions now, and the other ones at a later date. That page has nothing in common with your applicant Status page at NU, so I understand why some people (including myself) got confused by the email's wording.

I would definitely recommend using the practice questions to get a good questions on timing yourself, testing the audio quality, and so on. I realized I was rambling, and quickly changed pace and concision afterwards. You get to watch your own answers, so this is helpful. What's brutal about the actual interview is that you don't get to re-do a question if you mess up. There's two ways you can mess up - you can break off a question prematurely, or with the written questions, you can keep on typing before hitting 'Submit'. I nearly panicked because I did the latter, and nearly failed to submit a fairly long essay for my fifth question. So watch the time bar carefully.

In terms of content, again - check out the practice questions. There's one question that will always come up, as it has to, and that is "Why Northwestern". So you can expect that to come up in the actual interview. The rest, there's no overlap. But there's also another difference they don't mention: while practice questions has you answer for 1 minute, the actual questions allocate you 3 minutes. That's nowhere announced.

I'm not going to reveal the questions I had to answer, but suffice it to say they clearly allow you to elaborate on things you'd have said in your personal statement regarding your past accomplishments, current fields of expertise, and future career interests. This is not heavily signaled, but I would recommend bringing each question, no matter how flippantly worded (from the practice samples: 'What's your favorite pet?', 'What's your favorite app?', 'What's your favorite candy?'), back to you as a person in a more general sense. That is, answer the question seriously and fully, but dedicate the second half (minute 1:30 to 3:00) to addressing a larger element of your personality or theme in your personal/professional life, then tie it back to your application. I can't say if that will specifically work for Northwestern, or whether it'll meet success, but as a person with prior interviewing experience (on both sides) I can tell you it's a great deal more exciting than to listen for 3 minutes about a person's love affair with Snickers bars.

Finally, I'd say - try to enjoy this. You get to set up the interview in a space you're comfortable in, so there's a significant amount of control on your end that traditional interviews don't give you, and which will impact how relaxed you are and how much you actually enjoy it - which in turn will absolutely help to make a solid impression. As an interviewer, I find few things more grating than the forced smile perfected by Kudrow in her role as Valerie Cherlish - "You see that smile? It means I'm dead inside."

[FEDRESRV]

.

Thank you for the excellent write up. Very much appreciated.

[BEng,MBA,FRM,JD(?)]

I took the WL interview last night. It was quite introspective in nature. While my third world internet connection meant that my computer took 20-25 minutes for the video responses to load, I kept myself busy by watching old episodes of 'friends' between questions. But overall, a much more enjoyable process than the first interview.

Video questions were Why NU and other behavioral questions where you needed to think deep and come up with examples. The prep time was again only 30 seconds so I just got time to think of an incident and not really to structure the answer flow.

Written questions were also in the nature of trying to understand your personality rather than testing knowledge or testing whether you can think on your feet. No prep time for written questions of course.

3 video questions followed by two written questions.

Good luck all.

[blelwoods]

I took the WL interview last night. It was quite introspective in nature. While my third world internet connection meant that my computer took 20-25 minutes for the video responses to load, I kept myself busy by watching old episodes of 'friends' between questions. But overall, a much more enjoyable process than the first interview.

Video questions were Why NU and other behavioral questions where you needed to think deep and come up with examples. The prep time was again only 30 seconds so I just got time to think of an incident and not really to structure the answer flow.

Written questions were also in the nature of trying to understand your personality rather than testing knowledge or testing whether you can think on your feet. No prep time for written questions of course.

3 video questions followed by two written questions.

Good luck all.

You are f*%^&$# awesome for sharing this and telling up the questions! Did you have 1 minute or 3 minutes to response with the verbal questions?

[MadamSecretary]

All of the above is greatly appreciated!!

[BEng,MBA,FRM,JD(?)]

I took the WL interview last night. It was quite introspective in nature. While my third world internet connection meant that my computer took 20-25 minutes for the video responses to load, I kept myself busy by watching old episodes of 'friends' between questions. But overall, a much more enjoyable process than the first interview.

Video questions were Why NU and other behavioral questions where you needed to think deep and come up with examples. The prep time was again only 30 seconds so I just got time to think of an incident and not really to structure the answer flow.

Written questions were also in the nature of trying to understand your personality rather than testing knowledge or testing whether you can think on your feet. No prep time for written questions of course.

3 video questions followed by two written questions.

Good luck all.

You are f*%^&$# awesome for sharing this and telling up the questions! Did you have 1 minute or 3 minutes to response with the verbal questions?

Thanks. Good luck with your interview! 3 minutes each for video questions.

[bopcity]

delete

[littlekidlover]

Does anyone know when the deadline to complete the waitlist interview is? Work has been killing me this week and I haven't been able to make time. I'm hoping to get it done tomorrow afternoon.

I believe Johann tweeted that there wouldn't be any WL movement this week anyway, so you're probably fine. I just did mine yesterday.

[StopLawying]

Yeah once I saw that tweet I figured I'll just get it done over the weekend. Also crazy busy

[LegallyBlackJD]

Does anyone know when the deadline to complete the waitlist interview is? Work has been killing me this week and I haven't been able to make time. I'm hoping to get it done tomorrow afternoon.

Last year it was apparently May 15th and listed as such in the WL letter. This year - there wasn't a date. I just made a mental to get it done as soon as my schedule allowed me to.

Completed mine earlier this week. It was straightforward. I'm sure everyone gets the "Why Northwestern?" question so be ready for that.

You have three minutes for the video questions, but you can use the space bar to stop the recording before the 3 minutes are up.

The written responses were hypothetical "what would you do if...." and did not pertain to law. There's no way to prepare for that IMO. It was just - well, random life questions.

Just be yourself and shine bright like a diamond. Good luck to everyone!

[blelwoods]

Does anyone know when the deadline to complete the waitlist interview is? Work has been killing me this week and I haven't been able to make time. I'm hoping to get it done tomorrow afternoon.

Last year it was apparently May 15th and listed as such in the WL letter. This year - there wasn't a date. I just made a mental to get it done as soon as my schedule allowed me to.

Completed mine earlier this week. It was straightforward. I'm sure everyone gets the "Why Northwestern?" question so be ready for that.

You have three minutes for the video questions, but you can use the space bar to stop the recording before the 3 minutes are up.

The written responses were hypothetical "what would you do if...." and did not pertain to law. There's no way to prepare for that IMO. It was just - well, random life questions.

Just be yourself and shine bright like a diamond. Good luck to everyone!

Thank you for the questions and heads up!

[Windjammer]

There is a deadline and I'm pretty sure it's before May 15.

Iirc, my email specifically said I'd have two weeks from the invite to submit my answers, then it's closed. Also, pretty sure you don't get kicked off the WL if you fail to submit - but it's likely better if you submit. After all, it's an extended version of a standard LOCI.

[rizzlebizness]

."

Thank you for this information. It was very helpful for the process. So similar to Cornell but the extra time was much more realistic/appreciated. 1 min vs 3 is night and day, especially if they're actually trying to simulate an actual interview format.

[Shangrilala]

Did everyone wear a suit when they took the video interview?

[Ashcashbgash]

Did everyone wear a suit when they took the video interview?

Nope! I made sure to wear a crisp clean top, though. I don't think you need a suit, but don't be casual either. (I'm a woman)

[Shangrilala]

Did everyone wear a suit when they took the video interview?

Nope! I made sure to wear a crisp clean top, though. I don't think you need a suit, but don't be casual either. (I'm a woman)

Thanks! Yeah I did not want to be too formal nor too casual, so...thanks!
Did you tie up your hair when you took the interview? (If you have mid-long hair)