MWU-IL Interview Advice!

[wja91]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Hello all,

I have an interview scheduled at Midwestern-IL for March 11. I received the invitation for the interview on Jaunary 17th, but all they had available was March 11th. I am worried about how late the interview is... Any thoughts on this?

Also, for those that have already interviewed at MWU-IL, I would appreciate it if you could share what kinds of questions they asked? What was the process like? I've heard it's relatively laid back...

Thanks!

 

[john135]

They asked me Why OT. Why MWU. Are you a leader? This one was a trick question because I do actually do many things which defines me as a leader but when I said so, she said "we have 800 applicants who think they are leaders to, what do you think about that?". Seemed like a bitch when she asked it. Then when I said I feel OTs re-enable people to live their life fully like, say an elderly client with a stroke, by regaining control over their life" (or something like that), she critiqued me asking, "Do you mean to say that people with disabilites CANT live life to the fullest?" It was a bullcrap question as if I was saying that only people who dont have disabilities live their life to the fullest. Just watch out for really stupid stuff like that.

I was also asked how I deal with the stress of OT school (since in MWU you do the equivilant of a bachelors in 2 years; 138ish credit hours i think). I said my method of is to be systematic about it and be diligent etc etc etc. She didn't seem to like what i said and was waiting for more. Not sure how I can pull more out of my ass when it comes to studying. I study the material. That's how I deal with it lol. What more is there? Is there a magic thing I do that supposedly sets me apart from others? I study with my toes pointed ot the left side of a triangle painted on a wall while singing hymns? Its studying, not magic.

Overall, it was okay though. Just watchout for Mary Mahaffey. She's trys to hard to be an intellectual and is more concerned with making you mess up than learning what kind of a person you are. Emily Simpson was cool though. I loved her. She was far more concerned with learning who the person is rather than trying to trick or trap you or make you mess up.

 

[2OT15]

Not sure how I can pull more out of my ass when it comes to studying. I study the material. That's how I deal with it lol. What more is there? Is there a magic thing I do that supposedly sets me apart from others? I study with my toes pointed ot the left side of a triangle painted on a wall while singing hymns? Its studying, not magic.

hilarious!

 

[prodigiousflame]

wow mary sounds like one of those faculty members who purposely give the students a hard time. Ugh what a whacko

 

[OT2015]

wja91: Prep for typical questions like why OT, why Midwestern, what is your experience in the field, etc. Then think about job interview-type Qs like your strengths/weaknesses, what you bring to the table, explaining a time when you worked with a difficult supervisor/prof, etc. I loosely prepped for all of the questions listed on the forums here and had no curveballs during my Midwestern interview. I hope that helps. Also, I wouldn't be too worried about having a later interview. They keep spots open and have a pretty generous wait list.

john135: I'm surprised by your experience at Midwestern. During my interview, both faculty members were straightforward with their questions. One asked the hard-driving questions, while the other (Prof Simpson) had a more conversational approach to the interview.

While I didn't interview with Mary, it's a little harsh to say she seemed like a bitch just because she was expecting you to answer hard questions and think through the reasoning behind your responses. This line of good cop/bad cop questioning is pretty common in job and grad school interview processes. Sounds like you handled yourself well, though.

 

[wja91]

John 135: Wow, that is intimidating! I'm going to have to really prepare... thank you! Did you get accepted?

 

[wja91]

wja91: Prep for typical questions like why OT, why Midwestern, what is your experience in the field, etc. Then think about job interview-type Qs like your strengths/weaknesses, what you bring to the table, explaining a time when you worked with a difficult supervisor/prof, etc. I loosely prepped for all of the questions listed on the forums here and had no curveballs during my Midwestern interview. I hope that helps. Also, I wouldn't be too worried about having a later interview. They keep spots open and have a pretty generous wait list.

john135: I'm surprised by your experience at Midwestern. During my interview, both faculty members were straightforward with their questions. One asked the hard-driving questions, while the other (Prof Simpson) had a more conversational approach to the interview.

While I didn't interview with Mary, it's a little harsh to say she seemed like a bitch just because she was expecting you to answer hard questions and think through the reasoning behind your responses. This line of good cop/bad cop questioning is pretty common in job and grad school interview processes. Sounds like you handled yourself well, though.

Thank you! Definitely very helpful information. How many people were there interviewing with you?

 

[OT2015]

I interviewed on January 14 and there were 8 of us total, including one guy. Seems like their style is a bunch of small groups interviewing.

 

[wja91]

I interviewed on January 14 and there were 8 of us total, including one guy. Seems like their style is a bunch of small groups interviewing.

Nice. I think I would prefer that over a larger group. If you don't mind me asking, did you get accepted?

 

[OT2015]

Nice. I think I would prefer that over a larger group. If you don't mind me asking, did you get accepted?

Yes, I was accepted, but will be going to another school. Midwestern's admissions coordinator said we'd hear back in 6 weeks, but I got a call a few days after the interview.

 

[wja91]

Yes, I was accepted, but will be going to another school. Midwestern's admissions coordinator said we'd hear back in 6 weeks, but I got a call a few days after the interview.

Congrats on your acceptance! MWU is my absolute favorite program so I'm really hoping I get in. How long did each interview last? It's just with two faculty, right? Thanks friend!

 

[133909]

I interviewed with Glendale's MWU campus and I'm sure its the same process. It was very laid back and I met with two faculty members. I also met one on one with the program director. It was pretty generic questions and I felt very at ease, just be yourself! Good luck! 🙂

 

[wja91]

I interviewed with Glendale's MWU campus and I'm sure its the same process. It was very laid back and I met with two faculty members. I also met one on one with the program director. It was pretty generic questions and I felt very at ease, just be yourself! Good luck! 🙂

Thank you for posting! I am very nervous, so it helps to hear that it is pretty laid back! Do you remember what questions they asked you? Thanks!

 

[wja91]

Yes, I was accepted, but will be going to another school. Midwestern's admissions coordinator said we'd hear back in 6 weeks, but I got a call a few days after the interview.

Also, would you mind telling my your stats?

 

[otsomeday]

Also, would you mind telling my your stats?

I got accepted with a 3.4 cumulative/3.7 pre-req....so if you have a good interview your chances increase. Good Luck. Apply earlier next time if you don't get accepted.

 

[OT2015]

The interview day was about 5 hours and was pretty laid back, too. The interviews with 2 separate faculty members were pretty short- one was about 15 minutes to get a feel for your experience in OT and the other was about 30 minutes to go more in depth about why Midwestern, your character traits, etc. (but no interview with the program director during our interview day). The day is set up so you're waiting with everyone as they interview, too, so it's a little nerve-wracking.

As for stats:
Major: French
Overall GPA: 3.58
Pre-Req GPA: 4.0
GRE: 149Q 157V 4W

I have 4 years of post-bac work experience not related to OT and got around 120 observation hours in 6 different settings. I think that, plus some other life experiences, was more interesting than my stats. My best advice is to prep beforehand so you're not as nervous, but just be yourself. The faculty isn't really trying to trip you up- they just want to get a better idea of who you are, why you are interested in OT, and how you think on your feet.

 

[wja91]

The interview day was about 5 hours and was pretty laid back, too. The interviews with 2 separate faculty members were pretty short- one was about 15 minutes to get a feel for your experience in OT and the other was about 30 minutes to go more in depth about why Midwestern, your character traits, etc. (but no interview with the program director during our interview day). The day is set up so you're waiting with everyone as they interview, too, so it's a little nerve-wracking.

As for stats:
Major: French
Overall GPA: 3.58
Pre-Req GPA: 4.0
GRE: 149Q 157V 4W

I have 4 years of post-bac work experience not related to OT and got around 120 observation hours in 6 different settings. I think that, plus some other life experiences, was more interesting than my stats. My best advice is to prep beforehand so you're not as nervous, but just be yourself. The faculty isn't really trying to trip you up- they just want to get a better idea of who you are, why you are interested in OT, and how you think on your feet.

Okay, thank you for your help!

 

[wja91]

Should you have a copy of your resume or anything else available for the interviewers?