I applied through college or university. The process took 1+ week. I interviewed at Bridgewater Associates (Hanover, NH) in Jul 2008
Interview
The interview process is a bit strange -- you are grouped with about 5 or 6 other interviewees in one conference room with one or two moderators from Bridgewater, and the entire interview is structured as a debate and an open argument. Each interviewee is asked to bring along a discussion topic and to take a position on the topic he or she presents. Following the interview, applicants are informed usually within 24-48 hours whether they have received offers or not. For the internship, there was no "super day" full of interviews.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
Due to the free form nature of the interview, the entire process depends on who is in the interview room with you and on your ability to defend or argue a point. There is no one most difficult or unexpected question.
Just first round, asked me to talk about my interests. Mostly an open discussion on how that would align with what the company seeks. Overall kind of easy since it was mostly behavorial.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
(As I am not from a traditional finance background) Why did you apply?
There was an initial screening interview, asking you to walk them through your resume and your personal interests outside of classroom, then a group discussion session on abstract topics that aren't directly related to finance.
I applied through other source. The process took 6 weeks. I interviewed at Bridgewater Associates
Interview
It's a varied process depending on the individual, but they'll send you an email prior to the interview explaining what the interview will consist of. Lots of philisophical-like and abstract questions.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
If you could halt all technological progress with a press of a button, would you?