University Interview Tomorrow
Discussion
I'm sitting on the plane now, heading to Liverpool for an interview with the University of Liverpool.
The plan is that they show me around the entire university, facilities etc from 11am - 4pm.. Then there's an interview. As far as I know, it only lasts about 10 minutes.. And by the sounds of it seems to be more casual than anything..
Does anyone have any advice/tips about what sort of questions they're likely to ask.
I imagine they'll ask; why university of liverpool, why Liverpool, why Mechanical Engineering..
I'm also on a year out to repeat some of my exams, so I'd imagine they'll want to know about that?
Is there anything in particular I should(nt) tell them, or let them know about?
Any advice, help, tips etc are appreciated.. I really want to study there.
CD
The plan is that they show me around the entire university, facilities etc from 11am - 4pm.. Then there's an interview. As far as I know, it only lasts about 10 minutes.. And by the sounds of it seems to be more casual than anything..
Does anyone have any advice/tips about what sort of questions they're likely to ask.
I imagine they'll ask; why university of liverpool, why Liverpool, why Mechanical Engineering..
I'm also on a year out to repeat some of my exams, so I'd imagine they'll want to know about that?
Is there anything in particular I should(nt) tell them, or let them know about?
Any advice, help, tips etc are appreciated.. I really want to study there.
CD
Well I finished my MEng in Mechanical Engineering at Liverpool last summer, so I'll try to be of assistance!
I didn't actually do an interview at Liverpool because I already had my results and therefore an unconditional offer having taken a gap year. I did do interviews elsewhere tho and they are all pretty much the same. Usually done by a academic so you don't need to worry about turning on all the social charm! Just make sure you know your basics from maths and physics. Be prepared to think a little outside of the A-level sylabus to 'solve' an engineering problem by thinking it through with your engineering way of thinking.
Mostly just relax. I thought that uni interviews would be intense scrutineering, men with clip boards assessing you etc., it's not like that at all! They're mostly interested in just making sure you're not a total eejit, and they're more concerned about impressing you and making you want to come to their university.
Something you may want to drop in is their concept of the 'Liverpool Engineer'. It's basically their belief that they are creating of you an all round better package of an engineer. Not just one who is a human computer, but one who understands how things work in the same way that a mechanic would, and someone who appreciates the realities of turning your ideas and theory into real life things- basically an appreciation of manufacturing if you like. I must admit at the time I thought this was just marketing speel, but I have met plenty of other engineering graduates from elsewhere who have no problems with finite element analysis matrices or fourrier series expansions etc. but couldn't explain even in simple terms how an engine or carburettor works!
Anyway, the department itself is brilliant. It's just been rebuilt (just in time for me leaving!). I'm sure it'll impress you.
The uni has also been facelifted over the past 2 years and is a great place to be. Sports facilities are great, but the guild (union) has gone massively downhill since I started there. Abercrombie square is great for sunning yourself with a beer after exams finish in the summer - plenty of totty in skimpy clothes!
Good luck tomorrow, post back how you get on. Let me know which staff members you meet.
eta, If you saw the James May Toy Stories Meccano bridge on TV in the autumn, we built it in the department last summer.
I didn't actually do an interview at Liverpool because I already had my results and therefore an unconditional offer having taken a gap year. I did do interviews elsewhere tho and they are all pretty much the same. Usually done by a academic so you don't need to worry about turning on all the social charm! Just make sure you know your basics from maths and physics. Be prepared to think a little outside of the A-level sylabus to 'solve' an engineering problem by thinking it through with your engineering way of thinking.
Mostly just relax. I thought that uni interviews would be intense scrutineering, men with clip boards assessing you etc., it's not like that at all! They're mostly interested in just making sure you're not a total eejit, and they're more concerned about impressing you and making you want to come to their university.
Something you may want to drop in is their concept of the 'Liverpool Engineer'. It's basically their belief that they are creating of you an all round better package of an engineer. Not just one who is a human computer, but one who understands how things work in the same way that a mechanic would, and someone who appreciates the realities of turning your ideas and theory into real life things- basically an appreciation of manufacturing if you like. I must admit at the time I thought this was just marketing speel, but I have met plenty of other engineering graduates from elsewhere who have no problems with finite element analysis matrices or fourrier series expansions etc. but couldn't explain even in simple terms how an engine or carburettor works!
Anyway, the department itself is brilliant. It's just been rebuilt (just in time for me leaving!). I'm sure it'll impress you.
The uni has also been facelifted over the past 2 years and is a great place to be. Sports facilities are great, but the guild (union) has gone massively downhill since I started there. Abercrombie square is great for sunning yourself with a beer after exams finish in the summer - plenty of totty in skimpy clothes!
Good luck tomorrow, post back how you get on. Let me know which staff members you meet.
eta, If you saw the James May Toy Stories Meccano bridge on TV in the autumn, we built it in the department last summer.
Edited by mrtomsv on Wednesday 24th March 20:13
Puggit said:
From my experience, 18 years ago, the 'interview' is an informal chat and had no bearings on the decision to let me in!
Was that with the University of Liverpool?Wow, mrtomsv. I did not expect to get input like that, I really appreciate it!
I was planning to wear Shirt, tie, dress shoes and trousers, and then just a casual jacket.
By the sounds of it, this might be a bit too much?
Do they make any sort of decision there and then, or do they go off and send you a reply in the post or via UCAS?
Again, thanks for the help!
grumbledoak said:
I think 'sleep envy' has been correct but a little subtle!
.
when I had my inteview I answered naively 'construction economics and quantity surveying'..
The interviewer meant what did I want to get out of going to uni.
Don't forget, going to uni isn't all about getting a degree.
Conor D said:
I was planning to wear Shirt, tie, dress shoes and trousers, and then just a casual jacket.
By the sounds of it, this might be a bit too much?
Do they make any sort of decision there and then, or do they go off and send you a reply in the post or via UCAS?
You should definately go smart, what you've got sounds perfect. It may feel like overkill, but will definately make the right impression.By the sounds of it, this might be a bit too much?
Do they make any sort of decision there and then, or do they go off and send you a reply in the post or via UCAS?
Don't be too complacent after reading all this, it's still an interview, but one where there's a good chance of success for most people. Just be relaxed.
I don't think a formal offer is made on the spot, but you'll have a pretty good idea of how it went.
Conor D said:
Puggit said:
From my experience, 18 years ago, the 'interview' is an informal chat and had no bearings on the decision to let me in!
Was that with the University of Liverpool?Wow, mrtomsv. I did not expect to get input like that, I really appreciate it!
I was planning to wear Shirt, tie, dress shoes and trousers, and then just a casual jacket.
By the sounds of it, this might be a bit too much?
Do they make any sort of decision there and then, or do they go off and send you a reply in the post or via UCAS?
Again, thanks for the help!
smart is fine, normally students how up here for their UCAS days quite smart.
make sure you have some sensible questions to ask the interviewer.
what happens to graduates after their degree? where do they go?
what areas is the course especially strong in?
what sports clubs/societies are there?
that kind of crap
make sure you have some sensible questions to ask the interviewer.
what happens to graduates after their degree? where do they go?
what areas is the course especially strong in?
what sports clubs/societies are there?
that kind of crap
I survived anyway, I enjoyed the day.. Some great facilities, and the entire campus is great! Sports complex is lethal!
It ended with a 15 minute interview.. Basically asked me about my A-Levels, then about my work experience, followed by a few maths questions.. How a planes wing creates lift (any chance someone can confirm the answer to this?), about the velocity/time graph, and about differenciation.
I don't think it went too bad though, he basically told me I can't get into the BEng, but I should be eligable for the Year 0 entry if I bring my Maths up 4 marks.
So hopeully I'll have an offer next week if all goes well.
I appreciate the help from everyone!
It ended with a 15 minute interview.. Basically asked me about my A-Levels, then about my work experience, followed by a few maths questions.. How a planes wing creates lift (any chance someone can confirm the answer to this?), about the velocity/time graph, and about differenciation.
I don't think it went too bad though, he basically told me I can't get into the BEng, but I should be eligable for the Year 0 entry if I bring my Maths up 4 marks.
So hopeully I'll have an offer next week if all goes well.
I appreciate the help from everyone!
Conor D said:
I survived anyway, I enjoyed the day.. Some great facilities, and the entire campus is great! Sports complex is lethal!
It ended with a 15 minute interview.. Basically asked me about my A-Levels, then about my work experience, followed by a few maths questions.. How a planes wing creates lift (any chance someone can confirm the answer to this?), about the velocity/time graph, and about differenciation.
I don't think it went too bad though, he basically told me I can't get into the BEng, but I should be eligable for the Year 0 entry if I bring my Maths up 4 marks.
So hopeully I'll have an offer next week if all goes well.
I appreciate the help from everyone!
Just for your info if you do get in and plan on living in the halls try to get into Greenbank.It ended with a 15 minute interview.. Basically asked me about my A-Levels, then about my work experience, followed by a few maths questions.. How a planes wing creates lift (any chance someone can confirm the answer to this?), about the velocity/time graph, and about differenciation.
I don't think it went too bad though, he basically told me I can't get into the BEng, but I should be eligable for the Year 0 entry if I bring my Maths up 4 marks.
So hopeully I'll have an offer next week if all goes well.
I appreciate the help from everyone!
DO NOT go for carnatic halls unless you want to see what living in a room akin to a prison sell is like. Greenbank is nice old buildings with big rooms, wooden floors and plastered walls. Carnatic is nasty 1970's buildings with tiny cells and brick walls with a lick of paint.
The university itself and the city are great so good luck.
Conor D said:
How a planes wing creates lift (any chance someone can confirm the answer to this?), about the velocity/time graph, and about differenciation.
Faster air over top of wing causes lower pressure. The resultant higher pressure underneath the wing/lower pressure above wing causes lift. Gassing Station | The Lounge | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff