Interviews

EXAMPLE ONE

Any questions you were not able to answer?
No

Was there evidence of demonstrated understanding of and an interest in Dickinson during the interview?*
Yes

Understanding Comment
Student has visited Dickinson, and she said that she really liked it. She particularly loved the small classroom setting, the discussion-based classes, the architecture, the rock climbing wall, and the community feel of Dickinson. She liked that Dickinson is a good distance from her home, and that even though she lives in a city, she wants to move to a more rural community for college.

Was there evidence of academic alignment with Dickinson (i.e. academic preparation, academic interests or curiosities, or learning style)?*
Yes

Academic Comment
Student is primarily interested in psychology, but also talked about her passion for food studies and business. She spoke about her favorite teacher, saying that she loved how passionate he was about the classes he taught and how he is caring, thoughtful, and kind. She also loves a classroom environment that is small and discussion-based. She said that she liked working with other students since she considers herself a people person.

Was there evidence of the student’s engagement/passions that were shared during the interview?
Yes

Passion Comment
Yes! Student is very passionate about baking. This summer she has launched a small business where she sells brownie bites. This project was born out of a school project that she did in her elective food science class. She expressed an interested in baking while at Dickinson, and when I mentioned that the dorms have kitchens, she said it would be cool to start a baking club. Student is also passionate about rock climbing and was very excited about the rock wall at Dickinson. She used to climb competitively but she stopped during COVID. She said that if she went to Dickinson, she'd be very excited to start climbing again. Student also likes to paint and garden in her free time. Her mom and her have a herb and flower garden, and when I told her about the college farm, she got very excited about the possibility of engaging with it.

Was there evidence of depth and breath, leadership and followership, or the ability to contribute to a community?*
Yes

Community Comment
Yes, I think she has the ability to contribute to a community. She said that she is a people person, and she has no problem talking to new people. She told me that she met her best friend by befriending the new girl on her first day at her high school. This combined with the enthusiasm she had for starting a baking club show me that she's interested in bringing people together. There was also evidence of depth and breath given her wide range of hobbies and academic interests. We talked about the distribution requirements at Dickinson, and she seemed excited to take a wide range of classes.

Did the student demonstrate positive engagement/interpersonal skills during the interview?*
Yes

Skills Comment
Yes, she seems very personable, asked thoughtful questions, and was very bubbly and excited to do the interview. I appreciated that her answers were not scripted and that she was candid about being simultaneously excited and nervous for the new level of independence that comes with going to college.

EXAMPLE TWO

Any questions you were not able to answer?
No

Was there evidence of demonstrated understanding of and an interest in Dickinson during the interview?*
Yes

Understanding Comment
She asked wonderful questions: interdisciplinary learning, research, community, alumni network. and then asked great follow up questions OR comments. She's fabulous!!

Was there evidence of academic alignment with Dickinson (i.e. academic preparation, academic interests or curiosities, or learning style)?*
Yes

Academic Comment
interested in psychology, research, being part of a community committed to learning.

Was there evidence of the student’s engagement/passions that were shared during the interview?
Yes

Passion Comment
She is a spitfire - great enthusiasm and excitement for all that she will learn, do and what she can create/contribute. Interested in psych & research, but also definitely wants to study abroad to challenge herself and broaden her perspective.

Was there evidence of depth and breath, leadership and followership, or the ability to contribute to a community?*
Yes

Community Comment
She was incredibly interested and excited about the various ways that opportunity can present at Dickinson. She has shown initiative, does track, did a mini study abroad in France. Talked about ways to build community and to be open to differences in a way that fosters connections

Did the student demonstrate positive engagement/interpersonal skills during the interview?*
Yes

Skills Comment
Student was engaging, bright, thoughtful and curious. She was actively engaged, asking follow up questions or reflecting on my comments/questions. I think she would be an active student with full participation across all areas of the college.

Are there any additional comments or notes from your conversation that would be helpful to share?
100% feel as though she would be a great addition to the college class - she has great potential, is engaging and talked openly about wanting experiences that challenged her as those experiences are motivating to her (finding the harder the work, the more 'fun' she has). There were no areas of concern to me - full recommendation!

EXAMPLE THREE

Any questions you were not able to answer?
Yes

What were the questions?
Specific financial aid questions. I shared that ~80% of students receive some form of aid (merit and need based scholarships, grants). Could the regional counselor follow up with this student?

Was there evidence of demonstrated understanding of and an interest in Dickinson during the interview?*
Yes

Understanding Comment
Student visited campus through the National History Academy program and went on a tour led by Prof. Pritzker. She had a positive impression of the campus and can envision herself going to a smaller school after visiting.

Was there evidence of academic alignment with Dickinson (i.e. academic preparation, academic interests or curiosities, or learning style)?*
Yes

Academic Comment
Student specifically mentioned her interest in Dickinson's 4+1 IS partner program with Johns Hopkins. She's also interested in language studies and could see herself taking advantage of study abroad at Dickinson. When asked about her ideal learning environment, she said she's comfortable in both lecture style and small group discussion style classes. She currently attends a large humanities magnet high school and has taken 4 AP courses. She is planning on taking AP English Lit and AP Gov her senior year. She is passionate about history and english.

Was there evidence of the student’s engagement/passions that were shared during the interview?
Yes

Passion Comment
She shared that she has been playing volleyball since 7th grade and has recently started playing outdoor beach volleyball. She said she could absolutely see herself continuing in college. This year, she is trying to get more involved in debate so she can sharpen her public speaking skills. She also does a lot of community service (discussed more in the next section.)

Was there evidence of depth and breath, leadership and followership, or the ability to contribute to a community?*
Yes

Community Comment
Student is on the board of the California Scholarship Federation (2 years as a student rep; serving as director of operations this year) and the Senior Board (serving as treasurer this year) at her school. She talked a lot about planning donation drives, coordinating with volunteers, and giving back to her community with hands-on activities. For example, she worked in a thrift store that donated all proceeds to the American Cancer Society.

Did the student demonstrate positive engagement/interpersonal skills during the interview?*
Yes

Skills Comment
Although her camera was not working during the virtual interview, we had a lovely conversation and her enthusiasm was evident. She was engaged, kind, and asked a few follow up questions about my personal experiences at Dickinson.

Are there any additional comments or notes from your conversation that would be helpful to share?
Overall, I enjoyed my conversation. She was enthusiastic, is very engaged with her community, has a passion for history, and is mature. When I asked what she would change about her current school environment, she discussed how competitive it is but how she reminds herself to take things at her own pace and that comparison is the thief of joy. She has also enjoyed attending her large high school because she has met friends in unexpected places. I imagine she would be a lovely addition to the Dickinson student body and Carlisle community.