CGS offers students Cutting Edge Interview Skills

Center for Global Studies Offers Students Cutting Edge College Interview Skills

     In her efforts to keep its college-bound students poised for success, Director Roz McCarthy of the Center for Global Studies at Brien McMahon High School in Norwalk, CT, held a seminar on Wednesday evening , September 25, which focused on the college interview process.  In order to offer students and parents up to date information on college admissions interviews, Ms. McCarthy asked College Interview Counselors ( CIC) to speak on the subject.

     CIC offered a Power Point presentation along with mock interviews which described the “ state” of the interview arena in the college application process.  CIC highlighted the fact that the interview offers the only one-on-one, face to face contact individuals can have with schools to which they have applied. The interview write up is included in an applicant’s file and, without one, an applicant's persona can fall through the cracks.

       The audience also learned that contrary to widely held beliefs that the college admissions interview is merely a formality and does not hold weight in the application file, the interview can make the difference in a candidate’s ability to gain admittance to the schools of his choice.  CIC’s research reveals that a surprising number -- over 94% of the top 75 colleges and over 88% of the top 25 universities -- offer admissions interviews.   

Quotes from Admission websites reveal:

“  ………we strongly recommend a personal interview.  Without one, some students may be at a disadvantage at the time of Admissions selection.”

“ Treat this as a job interview, as it is an important piece of our holistic review.”

“ In fact, last year, of eligible applicants, we admitted 10.8% of those who had an interview but only 1% of those who chose not to interview." ( MIT)

     CIC’s founders, Kyrie Stillman and Peggy Marx, have chaired an interview committee for a top New England college for more than 25 years of combined service.  In that role, Kyrie and Peggy have interviewed hundreds of students and managed the completion of thousands of interview write-ups.  They have interfaced with Admissions and know what admissions departments are looking for in applicants. In their efforts to present themselves in the best possible light, students want to be prepared for their interview just as they prepare for standardized tests and high school courses.  CIC works on molding an applicant's interview skills and providing tools which will be utilized throughout an individual's academic and professional career.

    Ms. McCarthy stated,

"I was not sure exactly what to expect when I invited Kyrie Stillman and Peggy Marx, of College Interview Counselors (CIC), to provide a seminar on the college interview process.  I have to say that I, my students, and their parents were pleasantly surprised by the amount of information CIC was able to impart on the college application process.  Kyrie and Peggy gave our students lots of great tips, and what they shared was presented in a fun way.  I saw parents and students writing lots of notes.  I believe my students learned a great deal.  I will definitely ask them to return to our school."

Roz McCarthy

Director-Center for Global Studies

Please refer to CIC’s website ( www.collegeinterviewcounselors.com) to read more about individual and workshop services or contact Founders Peggy Marx (Peggy@collegeinterviewcounselors.com; 203 912 7892) and/or Kyrie Stillman

 ( Kyrie@collegeinterviewcounselors.com; 203 550 5771) for more information or to set up individual consultations.