Your annual interview follows the same 3-part format as in the past, although some of the questions might be new. In the first section, your interviewer asks you to answer specific questions. Second, you'll be asked to complete a 30-day calendar. Third, you will complete some questionnaires on your own.

The whole process takes about 2 hours, but you will set your own pace. Some people only need an hour, while others will need the whole 2-hour period.

Don't worry if you're not around College Park anymore, we do interviews over the phone and skype as well!

Talk to your interviewer to find a location that is convenient for both of you. The CLS office is in the Hartwick Building (4321 Hartwick Road, Suite 316).

We can also do the interview via phone or skype. This may be the most convenient option for you if you're no longer in the College Park area. Please don't hesitate to contact us at cls@cesar.umd.edu or 301-405-9757 if you have any questions.

You should exchange cell phone numbers ahead of time so that you can find each other easily. If you are unfamiliar with the building, it may be easiest to have your interviewer meet you at the front entrance. If you are running late on the way to your interview, please call to update your interviewer, so that he or she knows when to expect you.

By now you know that CLS staff will be "checking in" with you every year over the next few years, so you can give us updates on how your life is changing. Every time you participate, you will receive a payment. But we can't survey you if we can't find you, so please take a minute to update your contact information by sending an email to cls@cesar.umd.edu or calling 301-405-9757. Remember that we never share your contact information with anyone outside the CLS research team, and we don't link it with your survey answers.

Most participants receive their payments by mail, usually in less than a month. Sometimes we are able to pay you in person during your interview, but that is not always possible (for logistical reasons). If you have any questions, please contact us at cls@cesar.umd.edu or 301-405-9768.