Chapter 164: Ashford University's Graduate Admissions Interview Took Place on the First Monday

Ashford University's graduate admissions interview took place on the first Monday of March.

Clara Whitmore hesitated before her wardrobe before selecting a navy blue pantsuit.

She paired it with a crisp white blouse and three-centimeter block-heeled leather shoes.

The outfit was professional without being ostentatious.

Before leaving, her gaze caught a peacock-blue printed silk scarf on the dresser.

She draped it around her neck, instantly brightening the somber ensemble.

Last night's spring rain left the air heavy with moisture.

Puddles dotted the pavement, reflecting the overcast sky.

The waiting room buzzed with nervous energy.

Some candidates flipped through notes repeatedly while others paced with restless hands.

Clara sat quietly in a corner, fingers tapping rhythmically against her knee.

"You seem remarkably calm," remarked a ponytailed girl in front of her.

Clara offered a small smile. "Preparation breeds confidence."

Countless sleepless nights had led to this moment.

"Number 46, Clara Whitmore—"

"Here."

She straightened her collar and followed the attendant toward the examination room.

Her breath caught when she entered.

Seated at the center of the judging panel was Elias Mercer.

The physicist looked strikingly different in his charcoal gray suit, the sharp lines accentuating his angular features.

Behind gold-rimmed glasses, his piercing gaze contrasted sharply with his usual gentle demeanor.

Yet when his eyes met Clara's, a fleeting softness flickered through them.

The interview commenced.

She answered the initial technical questions with practiced ease.

The examiners exchanged glances before throwing curveballs beyond standard preparation.

After brief consideration, Clara delivered equally impressive responses.

"Professor Mercer, your turn."

He adjusted his glasses. "Bioinformatics is an interdisciplinary field requiring expertise in biology, mathematics, and computer science. Are you certain you possess such capabilities?"

"I'm prepared," Clara met his gaze steadily.

"Then the following questions may span multiple disciplines, potentially requiring live calculations."

"Proceed."

Elias switched to fluent English: "Explain the physical properties of quasicrystals using data modeling."

The room froze.

This question ventured far beyond biological boundaries.

Other panel members exchanged startled looks—this belonged in a physics department exam.