Interviewing for IQP

Hey everyone!

I feel like all I’ve only been talking about is IQP this term…well because I have…but its mostly because I am so excited to go!!! I remember last year right around this time feeling stressed about the application and interview for going abroad. But the process is worth it in the end! I would definitely recommend it to anyone to apply.

I remember last year (as a sophomore) talking to juniors about their interview for IQP. The interview is an important part of the decision. As an intern in the WPI Admissions office, I have had the opportunity to interview many prospective students. The questions that I ask are typically behavioral questions. No matter what you are interviewing for (job/internship/IQP), answers to behavioral interview questions are a key part of the recruiting process.

Here is a list of question I prepared before going into my IQP interview:

1.) Tell me about yourself. – I usually include my major, activities I do on campus. For my IQP interview, I transitioned to why I wanted to travel abroad. Its a really open-ended question, which can either be great or difficult! Strategy – have an answer prepared!

2.)Why do you want to go to (site name here)? – Show that you’ve done your research. And if you haven’t yet, be sure to research past projects and the area you want to visit!

2.) What makes you a good fit? –Unfortunately “Because I’m awesome” (which I’m sure you are) isn’t a good answer to that question. Really think about the personal qualities you have to make you a good fit!

3.) Strengths and weaknesses? – Be sure to show you are trying to improve on your weakness. Mine, for example, is that I struggle public speaking. So I’ve become an Admissions Intern to force myself to give weekly presentations.

4.) Positive and negative group experiences. – Negative…what did you learn? If you did something to turn a negative group experience into a positive one, what did you do? If not, what would you have done next time?

These are just a small sample of questions that could be asked in your interview! Its impossible to have an answer prepared to every question, but its important to come up with a strategy.

To develop this strategy, I would definitely recommend going to the following workshop TOMORROW and next Monday. I went last year and I can’t express to you how happy I went. I was really prepared for the IQP interview! And now one year later, I’m off to Cape Town.

Cheers!

Gianna