Meaning & use
intake interview
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Meanings
nouncountable
A first meeting where an organization gathers basic information from a new client, patient, or applicant.
Grammar: Countable: use 'an intake interview' or 'intake interviews'; often with 'at' or 'during'.
Patterns
- have an intake interview
- at the intake interview
- during an intake interview
She had an intake interview at the clinic before seeing the doctor.
The shelter conducts an intake interview to learn each person's needs.
During the intake interview, they asked about his work history and health.
nouncountabletechnical
The initial questioning session in a research or therapy setting that collects background details.
Grammar: Countable and often used with 'the' when referring to a specific session.
Patterns
- conduct an intake interview
- complete an intake interview
The study begins with an intake interview that lasts about thirty minutes.
The therapist scheduled an intake interview to understand the client's history.
Word forms
| plural | intake interviews |
|---|
Common combinations
- initial intake interview
- The initial intake interview usually takes about twenty minutes.
- complete an intake interview
- You must complete an intake interview before receiving services.
- intake interview process
- The intake interview process helps staff decide who needs urgent help.
- schedule an intake interview
- Please call the office to schedule an intake interview.
Synonyms and how they differ
- assessment
- Assessment is broader and may include tests or forms, while an intake interview is specifically a conversation at the start.
- screening
- Screening often checks quickly whether someone qualifies; an intake interview gathers fuller personal information.
Word family
- intake noun
- The process of taking someone in or the amount taken in.
- interview noun
- A formal meeting where someone is asked questions.
- interviewer noun
- The person who asks the questions.
Commonly confused: intake interview or exit interview?
intake interview vs exit interview
An exit interview happens when someone leaves a job or program, while an intake interview happens at the beginning.
Practice
Before receiving counseling, new clients must attend a(n) ______ interview.
Choose one answer.
'Intake interview' is the first meeting to collect information, so it fits 'before receiving counseling'. 'Exit interview' is the opposite, happening when someone leaves.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “intake interview”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.