Interviewing for a Charter Class

[georgia2009]

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Yesterday I was invited to an interview on 1/23/15 for a charter class at a school I'm REALLY interested in. Being that there are no previous or current students to speak with about their experiences, and because this is a brand new program, how do I approach this interview? Has anyone ever interviewed for a charter class? What should I expect? What questions should I ask or expect to be asked? Do they usually accept students with average stats because it is their first class? Help!

 

[CH2014]

I have done a couple of interviews, but not for a charter class. I would suspect that they would ask the same questions as any regular schools. But you should especially be able to answer why you chose to apply to that school, especially knowing it is a charter class

For the average stats, it would depend on the quality of their applicant pool. But I assume that the students applying would probably have average stats

 

[DesertPT]

Intuitively I would think that a charter class would be difficult to fill with high stat applicants (who have likely gotten accepted elsewhere as well). I don't have actual data to back that claim up, but if I were you I would feel pretty confident that I would end up getting an acceptance if I had made it to the point of having an interview. 🙂

 

[CaptainBobo]

I went to an information session for a program that was only a year old. One thing they went over, and that you should ask about it what are they doing to assure they will get their accreditation?

I remember the school I went to talked about being in contact with the NPTE frequently, speaking with other health professionals in the area, and other educators in their school and other schools. I believe they said that on a monthly basis, the department would all conference together with the president of the school to talk about the programs progress and its quality.

You should be incredibly concerned with a program that only has temporary accredition. See that I said concerned, but not worried. If they answer your questions satisfactorily and everything seems like its on the up and up, you should be okay. You just don't want to be in a situation where a few years down the line, you've sunk thousands of dollars into a program and have nothing to show for it.

Make sure they'll have enough clinical sites as well. I've heard that's something that can trip a program up. If you want to ask them questions about the ciriculum, go for it. As long as you're respectful and professional it shouldn't be an issue. If they get defensive at any time, that's probably a bad sign.

 

[DesertPT]

I could be wrong, but I don't think there has ever been a program (at least not recently) that was granted candidacy, enrolled a class, and then failed to receive accreditation. Like I said I could be wrong, but I don't think it's ever happened. And schools who are still in candidate stage I believe have to have an agreement set up where another school will grant the first classes a diploma if the school fails to become accredited. At least I think I remember hearing that somewhere. I'm sure if you ask them at the program they will clear this up for you.

 

[TheIron]

I could be wrong, but I don't think there has ever been a program (at least not recently) that was granted candidacy, enrolled a class, and then failed to receive accreditation. Like I said I could be wrong, but I don't think it's ever happened. And schools who are still in candidate stage I believe have to have an agreement set up where another school will grant the first classes a diploma if the school fails to become accredited. At least I think I remember hearing that somewhere. I'm sure if you ask them at the program they will clear this up for you.

Just to support this, the admissions counselors from both George Fox and SDSU told me no program that has been granted candidacy has been denied accreditation. So with probability on your side, chances are you won't have to worry about your program not making the cut.

Even if the program is denied accreditation once you graduate the school might have connections with other programs so you can attend their program, graduate, and sit for their boards. Here is what the admissions counselor from SDSU sent me when I asked;

"In the event that we are denied, we have contingency letters with some universities to send the students there so they can graduate from an accredited program and be able to sit for their boards"

Hope this helps your decision!

 

[Reel_Knight]

Do you happen to be talking about Adventist in Orlando?

 

[georgia2009]

Thanks for the input everyone! I interviewed on 1/23/15 and I must say... it was NOTHING like I anticipated! There were only 8 people being interviewed on that day, and they split us into two groups. Two faculty members interviewed us as a group, and then we were interviewed individually. The individual interview consisted of them looking over your app (grades, gpa, LORs, GRE scores), asking you questions about your references, and allowing you to ask them questions. It was very informal. I was told by my interviewer that my GRE scores and pre-req gpa were really good... which I was surprised to hear because I consider them average. She also told me that she thinks I would be a great fit for the program and anticipated I'd be admitted, but she couldn't guarantee because they'll have to meet first. We were also informed that the interviews are just to meet us, get a feel of our personality, and hear our thoughts. The interview portion is not heavily weighed. I really enjyed the faculty and other students interviewing... hopefully I'll hear something within the next few weeks!!

 

[georgia2009]

Do you happen to be talking about Adventist in Orlando?

No, it's at Brenau University.

 

[georgia2009]

I got a call this afternoon... I got accepted!!