University Interview tomorrow....help.

Chris1712 · 21 Mar 2006 at 16:46

Morning all. Got me an Interview at Staffordshire Uni tomorrow for CGI & Animatronics. (Might swing past OCUK aswell and ask for a ride in Spie's M5 :rolleyes:

)

Anyway, i'm really not sure what i should be doing at the interview!? Should i be like smart and stuff, or just normal, should i take any stuff with me and what kind of things should i learn about tonight so i can waffle on about something important at the interview. I really would like to get into CGI in both the games and film industry, thing is, i just know the other people getting an interview will walts up with their portfolio's full of renders and artsy stuff. Ofcourse i can just shun them all by saying "they're blatantly piraters of software how else could that 17 year old afford a full version of 3D Studio Max!".

My only experience of 3d design was during my work experience, where i worked on 3dsMax at Nationwide HQ Swindon modelling bank refurbs, and i really enjoyed it, hence me wanting to movo into that area.

So, how important do you think going there with a wealth of CGI knowledge is? Considering i've had no prior opportunity to learn anything to do with it, its not like theres a CGI GCSE/A Level. I'm gonna go there and spout about CGI and films, blab about how much it amazes me and how i want to do it etc. etc.

Agh! So yeah should i be wearing like a shirt and shoes etc., or not, i mean its not like cambridge or anything, but i really need something to come from this because its my only reduced points offer available, and considering how horrifically i'm doing in my BTEC (Software development) i really need all i can get!!

Sorry about the rambling post but yeah, any help/tips etc. much apprecieated :confused:

=Mac= · 21 Mar 2006 at 16:51

Turn up in good time, in a suit shirt tie shoes etc.

Be polite, attentive, look keen to learn.

Make sure that you ask the interviewer a question, nothing too "deep" but something which shows that you have a keen interest in the uni and the course.

Good Luck.

punky_munky · 21 Mar 2006 at 16:54

You probably won't need to come armed with a wealth of knowledge or experience but you do need to show them that you're keen and positive that you want to do CGI. Knowledge of the industry itself and knowing a bit about the techniques would probably help you.

You can never be too smartly dressed for an interview.

Psyk · 21 Mar 2006 at 17:02

oops meant to edit not post again, please delete

Psyk · 21 Mar 2006 at 17:04

punky_munky said:
You can never be too smartly dressed for an interview.

I went in jeans, T-shirt and trainers to my interview (only really had one proper interview when applying to universities) and it didn't affect my chances. I got an offer which in the end I met, although I chose somewhere else.

DaveyD · 21 Mar 2006 at 17:05

Generally, well certainly from my university interviews, the interviewer(s) were more interested in you and your personality, to make sure you've got a brain in your head and you didn't talk rubbish on your UCAS form.

Suit + Tie would be the most suitable option to go for, as you can always take the tie off and turn yourself into a smart/casual appearance, but if you feel you would be more comfortable in jeans etc, go for that.

If the course didn't really require any prior knowledge of 3D modelling etc, then I wouldn't worry about what they're going to ask you too much, but it'll be helpful you know a bit of background on the industry, and be clear with what you know.

Best advice though, just be calm, yourself. Usually university courses, if you've got to the interview stage, you're very close to getting onto the course, unless you really screw up the interview.

punky_munky · 21 Mar 2006 at 17:05

Psyk said:
I went in jeans, T-shirt and trainers to my interview (only really had one proper interview when applying to universities) and it didn't affect my chances. I got an offer which in the end I met, although I chose somewhere else.

So? I'm saying dressing well is not going to damage your chances whereas dressing scruffily could potentially lose you the place/job/whatever.

Chris1712 · 21 Mar 2006 at 17:05

Psyk said:
I went in jeans, T-shirt and trainers to my interview (only really had one proper interview when applying to universities) and it didn't affect my chances.

Hah this is what im hoping for, :cool:

. As long as i have a shave at least look like i've not just crawled out of bed, i figure my astounding babble & convincing langauge will help me

.

Anyone here attend Staffordshire Uni, or do a similiar course elsewhere?

Oh, directions would be handy from the M6 if anyone has some off hand!

Cheers

DaveyD · 21 Mar 2006 at 17:07

Chris1712 said:
Hah this is what im hoping for, . As long as i have a shave at least look like i've not just crawled out of bed, i figure my astounding babble & convincing langauge will help me .

Anyone here attend Staffordshire Uni, or do a similiar course elsewhere?

Oh, directions would be handy from the M6 if anyone has some off hand!

Cheers

Not hard tbh

http://www.staffordshire.ac.uk/maps/

Beansprout · 21 Mar 2006 at 17:09

punky_munky said:
You can never be too smartly dressed for an interview.

But it's better to neatly dress in jeans & shirt than a scruffy suit.

tbh dress doesn't matter much - this is university. Yes, first impressions count, but it's more about how you are rather than what you are. Besides, you don't wanna out-dress the profs and look like a twit infront of your fellow students....the only people I saw wearing suits on uni open days / interviews / away days were either foreign, stereotypical Oxbridge geeks, or just plain weird

Just look like you care about yourself and have fun. Relax and enjoy it, no point getting stressed and nervous

One More Solo · 21 Mar 2006 at 17:11

For my interview at UCL I wore a shirt and tie with a jumper because it was cold and I couldn't be bothered with a suit, you might feel more comfortable like that. It also shows a certain geeky/hard working look, in my opinion. :cool:

=Mac= · 21 Mar 2006 at 17:13

Beansprout said:
But it's better to neatly dress in jeans & shirt than a scruffy suit.

tbh dress doesn't matter much - this is university. Yes, first impressions count, but it's more about how you are rather than what you are. Besides, you don't wanna out-dress the profs and look like a twit infront of your fellow students....the only people I saw wearing suits on uni open days / interviews / away days were either foreign, stereotypical Oxbridge geeks, or just plain weird

Just look like you care about yourself and have fun. Relax and enjoy it, no point getting stressed and nervous

I disagree with not needing to wear a suit. Whilst it is a bit over the top for an open day, an interview is a formal process and is usually decisive in wether an offer is made or not.

From my time at uni, the professors were always very keen for someone to look smart, I can remember wearing a suit when I attended interviews for undergraduate and phd positions.

Put it this way, you arent going to look bad if you turn up in a suit, but if everyone else does and you are sat there in jeans and a shirt you will look like you havent made the effort, which could go against you.

punky_munky · 21 Mar 2006 at 17:13

Yeah, I wasn't suggesting a full on suit for a uni interview but at least try and look like you've made an effort.

Chris1712 · 21 Mar 2006 at 17:13

DaveyD said:
Not hard tbh http://www.staffordshire.ac.uk/maps/

doh i got pwnt!

I am looking forward to it, im not the type to be a nervous wreck at these kinda things so i should be fine. Considering its a 240 points course, any guesstimates to what they might lower ito to for my bad self? You really dont want to know how poorly I'm doing in my BTEC (its through lack of inspiration not knowledge though!).

=Mac= · 21 Mar 2006 at 17:14

One More Solo said:
For my interview at UCL I wore a shirt and tie with a jumper because it was cold and I couldn't be bothered with a suit, you might feel more comfortable like that. It also shows a certain geeky/hard working look, in my opinion.

Calm down adam levine

Haly · 21 Mar 2006 at 17:14

Let us know what you think of the place.

I'm hopefully going there in the Autumn.

DaveyD · 21 Mar 2006 at 17:20

Chris1712 said:
doh i got pwnt!

I am looking forward to it, im not the type to be a nervous wreck at these kinda things so i should be fine. Considering its a 240 points course, any guesstimates to what they might lower ito to for my bad self? You really dont want to know how poorly I'm doing in my BTEC (its through lack of inspiration not knowledge though!).

240 points can't be *that* hard can it? If you're actually determined to go to uni to study, then you should be using that as inspiration to get your work done, as you'll be kicking yourself if you don't get those points.

Chris1712 · 21 Mar 2006 at 17:26

DaveyD said:
240 points can't be *that* hard can it? If you're actually determined to go to uni to study, then you should be using that as inspiration to get your work done, as you'll be kicking yourself if you don't get those points.

I know its really not much at all! It's something i should be easily able to do in anything else. I just find the course hilariously poor, as do the rest of my class (Jackoh, andy2k and Gaza2004 who occasionally post here). The teaching is just of such poor quality that it makes it very hard to squeeze any satisfaction out of the course, let alone a quality peice of work. One teacher was so poor we actually managed to get him booted out the college by the management, after showing our 'evidence'. And it hasn't improved anything this year. As it stands i'm just aiming to come out of the course with something, anything.

I really wished i'd just taken 3 a levels, done no work turned up for the exam got 3 d's and come out much better than i can hope to even if i work my ass off for the remainder of this course.

Beansprout · 21 Mar 2006 at 17:27

=Mac= said:
I disagree with not needing to wear a suit. Whilst it is a bit over the top for an open day, an interview is a formal process and is usually decisive in wether an offer is made or not.

From my time at uni, the professors were always very keen for someone to look smart, I can remember wearing a suit when I attended interviews for undergraduate and phd positions.

Put it this way, you arent going to look bad if you turn up in a suit, but if everyone else does and you are sat there in jeans and a shirt you will look like you havent made the effort, which could go against you.

Ah - I wouldn't go in a jeans and shirt, just used it to illustrate the point

I can't remember offhand what most of my friends wore...smart casual I think, maybe a suit for those who applied to Oxbridge or for Law.

I suppose the best strategy would be to overdress and judge on the day. If everyone else is more casual, you can always take the jacket/tie off

freshy · 21 Mar 2006 at 17:33

Chris1712 said:
I know its really not much at all! It's something i should be easily able to do in anything else. I just find the course hilariously poor, as do the rest of my class (Jackoh, andy2k and Gaza2004 who occasionally post here). The teaching is just of such poor quality that it makes it very hard to squeeze any satisfaction out of the course, let alone a quality peice of work. One teacher was so poor we actually managed to get him booted out the college by the management, after showing our 'evidence'. And it hasn't improved anything this year. As it stands i'm just aiming to come out of the course with something, anything.

I really wished i'd just taken 3 a levels, done no work turned up for the exam got 3 d's and come out much better than i can hope to even if i work my ass off for the remainder of this course.

to be honest you should grow up a bit - forget satisfaction and remeber this is an means to an end - in life you cannot be inspired by everything. if you have the ability as you say it should not be too hard for you to up your game, regardless of the teaching quality. pity them poor souls who rely on your teachers methods etc.

re: the interview

make sure you look over the prospectus, just to familiarise yourself with the place

show a commitment to the course, ability in being able to study at undergrad level and enthusiasm. at the end of the day they just want your tuition fees!

look over your ucas statement - this is crucial in my opinion

regards

University Interview tomorrow....help.

Woman of Honour