#uwc interview

So since I’ve been asked a few times about what I would recommend doing to be prepared for the UWC selection or the interviews, I decided to write a blogpost dealing with the subject. These tipps are all rather general and nothing too precise because all interviews are different and the questions depend on you and your application. So that’s it for the introduction. Enjoy! ✨ – So I really think it’s important to have some basic knowledge about current affairs. You should be able to name a few things which are going on on our planet at the moment and to talk about them. Just spend some time reading the newspaper or watch videos on politics or do whatever you like to do to be informed. – Also, be passionate. If an interviewer asks you why you love dancing, show them that you love what you’re doing! You should show them that having a long CV is not the reason why you do something, but because you want to and because it’s your passion! – Keep talking and don’t be shy! You don’t have to be afraid of the interviewers or their questions. They want to get to know you and they will realize how great you are if you just give them the chance to do so! If you are talkative and show them your personality, they will realize your potential, which they can’t if you don’t give them enough information on you. – This might seem a little contradictory to what I just said, but it’s okay to take your time to think. If you don’t know an answer immediately, wait a second, breathe and think. Ask them if it’s okay if you think about it for a little while and then, if you’re content with what you came up with tell them. There’s no reason to freak out just because you don’t know what to answer immediately. – Be nice! If you are in a very heated-up discussion with other applicants, you shouldn’t shut them down because you think you’re point is more valid than theirs. If that’s obvious to you good, but don’t forget about politeness! – Don’t be nervous, just smile and have fun! It won’t change anything if you overthink everything you and the interviewers said. Smile! Be happy! You’re there for a reason, so try to be confident. Also, spend as much time as possible with the other applicants. Don’t see them as rivals, but as (future-)friends. I don’t think I’ve ever met so many amazing people at one place. Listen to what they have to say and talk to them. To sum it up, they are awesome and you have to enjoy every second you can spend together. – Think about why you applied and what you love about UWC and why you should be a part of the movement. Read your application again, and be aware of what you said. Reflect on your values and your passions and on the person you are. It will help you a lot to know exactly who you are, what you want the most ( UWC obviously..) and why you want it! UWC is a unique and wonderful movement, but why exactly is it your dream to attend one? – Also if the application process in your country is as cool as the one in Germany and you stay at a youth hostel for some time, bring food and games. The others will be grateful and love you. ( Theresa, ganz viel Liebe an dich an dieser Stelle.) – I just found another post about the interview, you can check it out as well. It’s amazing as well. http://pearsonadventures.tumblr.com/post/114758914187/do-you-have-any-advice-for-the-uwc-interview – So that was all we could come up with. Special thanks to the other zero years from Germany, who helped me collecting ideas for this post. You all are very generous and amazing people and I hope we will all have a wonderful time together in the next months and that you’ll be very happy at your colleges. You guys are the best. 🌎

Yes! I do. I’ll make a post about my own interview experience and more advice later on, but here’s some general advice for you, dear anonymous, first:

Be yourself. I’m probably not be the first nor will I be the last to tell you this, and I don’t care that people see it as a cliche, because it’s perhaps the most important advice there is of all. You are applying, and if you get in it’s you who’ll attend a UWC. That’s why the national committee is interested in who you are. Not someone else. You. Be confident and believe in yourself. You can do this.                                  

Prepare yourself. The interview will be mostly base upon your written application (at least mine was, but I can’t speak for all the national committees out there). But it’s important anyhow to read through your application before the interview. Read it once. Read it twice. Read it 50 times. Whatever it takes for you to feel confident to know why you have written what you have, and what you mean with it. Think through questions they might ask, but don’t memorize answers. And one specific thing I’d advice you to think thoroughly through as well is this: why do you want to go to a UWC? Why did you apply? Which is surprisingly difficult to put into words unless you’re prepared. At least I thought so.

But DO NOT OVER-PREPARE. Don’t make my mistakes. (posts to come about this later). Prepare, yes, but do not over-prepare. It’ll just leave you drained and feel like everything is hopeless after the interview because you didn’t get to say everything you wanted to say, and thus make it feel like you screwed up completely (when of course you didn’t). Unless you have a two hour long interview, or loads of 20-minute long interviews (I don’t know how it works other than in Norway, where we have one 20-minute interview), then don’t prepare stuff that could fill an entire day of conversation. Just don’t. Focus on the important stuff, not millions of details. Otherwise, you’ll just end up in a pile of emtions afterwards, like this

(chances are you’ll end up like this anyway, though)

And last but not least, these points are also important:

Be polite and smile

Answer truthfully 

Remember to breathe 

Don’t work yourself up too much

Think of it as a normal conversation with people who are really interested in who you are and what you do

Be open to all schools; if you get in to UWC you’ll have 2 of the most memorable and amazing years of your life, even if you don’t get your first choice. Every school is unique. 

Stay positive! It’s gonna be okay!

There! Hope that helped you a bit. There will be further posts about the application process and interview soon, so stay tuned! Have a nice day, anonymous, and good luck! :)