UCSD Open House--Engineering

[fweakbeams]

Hey Everybody, 

 

I was wondering if anyone has any experience with the "open house" at UCSD or any other schools? 

 

I applied to their PhD program in Civil Engineering, and got an email saying that a Professor was interested in meeting me and I am invited to the open house next week. 

 

I know this is not an offer of admission, but does anyone have any sense of how likely it is that I will be admitted? And more importantly, how intense do you think the meeting will be with the professor?

 

It seems it like it could almost be like an unofficial interview?  Or is it just a friendly meet and greet, and the likelihood I'll be admitted is really high?

 

 Any thoughts or advice about this "open house" or other ones you guys have been to would be very much appreciated!!! I've been pretty nervous wondering what kind of prep I should be doing for the meeting with the prof.

 

Thanks in advance for any thoughts!

[matsci333]

it sounds like its a friendly meet-and-greet, with a very high likelihood that you'll be accepted! I doubt they would call it an "open house" otherwise. They tend to only call it that after you've been admitted. Either way, don't be nervous, you're probably good to go! Enjoy your weekend in beautiful San Diego!

[Edge]

It is exactly an unofficial interview.  It's one of those cases where they want to make sure that you are everything as advertised before formally admitting you.  So attend, be on your best behavior and get your acceptance.

[fweakbeams]

Thank you so much to both of you for the responses!

 

Edge this is exactly what I was thinking, but Matsci that's what I was hoping, aha.

 

I'm going to do my best to calmly impress without being annoying. If you guys have any thoughts about prep I would be eternally grateful...I've been trying to just clarify my research goals, whether I want to pursue an academic career or one in the private sector, etc.

 

But it's tough trying to prep without knowing what's coming...