Many of you will have an interview as part of your audition day at Eastman, depending on the program you are applying to. Interviews are conducted by a member of Eastman’s faculty or staff – either individually or in small groups. Interviews are one of my favorite parts of audition days, because they create an opportunity for us to get to know you face-to-face in a more personal way.
The best interviews I’ve participated in are the ones that applicants approach with candor and an open mind, not a rehearsed spiel. We have your resume on file already, so reciting a list of your notable accomplishments isn’t particularly useful. We are more interested in learning about what inspires you, what your goals are, and how you would fit in as a part of the Eastman community.
In group interviews, it can also be interesting for you to hear from other applicants who share similar goals, though their stories may be very different from your own. You may be one of the few serious musicians in your high school, but from now on you’ll find many kindred spirits who care about music as much as you do. Your interview will be a unique experience shaped by you and the other participants. Sometimes interview groups are chatty and funny; sometimes they delve in to serious topics like the future of music. On more than one occasion I’ve even seen applicants strike up new friendships during the course of an interview.
Here are three tips that can help make your interview a good experience:
- Be yourself. That’s who we’re interested in getting to know.
- Plan at least one or two questions that you would like to ask your interviewer. (Very important!)
- Keep your ears open. You never know what you might learn, or who you might meet!