<p>"I don’t think my son had a single alumni interview that he didn’t think was intimidating or mildly confrontational, if not inappropriate in some way. Best case scenario the person was nice, but asked where else he was applying and directly questioned him as to where in his ranking of preference the interviewer’s school sat. That was pretty awkward. For top schools, they do want to see what you’re made of and I think that’s fine. They’re looking for the sharpest students who will best take advantage of the challenge. Thus, a kid is not going to be able to get away with a wimpy career interest answer like “Well, I’ve always wanted to help people,” or, frankly, your son’s answer. Also, if the student says he’s interested in x field, the interviewer will likely ask him a pertinent, technical question about that field, such as an opinion on a recent related news story. If the kid hadn’t heard about that story or doesn’t comprehend the nature of the question, well then his interest in the field looks weak or he looks too average in intelligence for a top school. </p>
<p>Since it’s possible the interviewer heard “guys are always” when your son actually said “I’ve always” (and maybe he was nervous and stumbled or mumbled), or that she was making a bad joke, I also don’t think that exchange is too terrible. </p>
<p>So, I guess I’m saying I don’t see anything particularly glaring about this interview based on our own experience."</p>
<p>Really?!? Who the *@!!! wants to go to a school whose main objective is proving how tough they are to a bunch of 18 year-olds?!? The purpose of going to college UNDERGRAD isn’t to be prepared with a PhD thesis on your subject. I agree that answers should be more than, “I like math” but purposely tripping a kid up with idiotic play-acting is just bullying. Your “Ivy” smells like the dog’s been in it.</p>
<p>Haven’t read the whole thread, but did want to suggest something to consider. Maybe the interviewer had some hearing loss. My dad is this way & it has caused some unfortunate incidents when he hears (or thinks he hears) someone say something that he considers problematic. </p>
<p>I’m thinking of the first part of the interview when things started going poorly. OP’s son said “I’ve” & the interviewer seems to have heard it as “guys”. Both words have long “i” sounds & can be easily confused by people with less than perfect hearing. Even hearing aids, alas, do not imitate normal hearing. This still does not make the interviewer’s reaction excusable or right, of course, but it may explain part of it.</p>
<p>As far as the second part of the interview with the religion thing, I don’t have an answer. </p>
<p>April 1 came and went. Son was not accepted but he’s moved on to deciding where he’ll attend next year. We’re glad he has some good choices. Thanks again to all who offered good advice and feedback.</p>
<p>OP, it’s thoughtful of you to provide this update that brings closure as you aptly named your post. So many threads are just left hanging after a long and vigorous discussion. Best wishes to you and your son.</p>
<p>I had an Ivy interview and it was terrible.</p>
<p>It took place in Starbucks. There were two interviewers, I don’t know why there were two but I found it very intimidating.
I am an international so I was already nervous. The whole interview was distastrous, they were a guy and a girl, the girl was enthusiastic barely older than me (3- 5 years) the guy was very quiet, staring at me the whole time. Then the girl had a laptop on and she was constantly looking at the laptop, I felt very uncomfortable, I tried to smile and joke a little and the girl used to laugh without saying anything like not undertanding the joke or the comment and the guy just smiling, it ws very uncomfotable and I think there was a real interviewer or an adcom listening the interview through the laptop or something like that. They asked me where else I was applying to and if I had any safties.</p>
<p>that just happened to me today as well at my Johns Hopkins interview. the entire interview was only about 30 minutes long, and at least 5 of it were talking about an applicant from my school who interviewed just before me. another 5 minutes were spent talking about Dartmouth…and how difficult it would be to get from Georgia to Dartmouth and back…</p>