<p>I received the packet in the mail and I met with an alumnus today.
However, I was the first high school senior he had ever met with and he was under the impression that it was supposed to be purely informational - so for an hour I just asked him all the questions I had about the school, classes, programs, and Pittsburgh. He was really nice and friendly...it was a great conversation and I really did learn a ton, but it wasn't an interview.
He asked me only one question (the why this major question) and didn't take any notes. He doesn't even know where I live or what school I go to.
Apparently CMU had never told him what specific questions to ask or how to write the report to send back. I told him I'd get back to him with more info about who to contact for details. (one of my classmates, for example, said that her interviewer had a standard interview form from CMU with 5 or so questions on it that the interviewer filled out during their conversation. anyone know anything more about this?)
I could contact a different alumnus and get a "real" interview, but I'd rather just meet again with the guy I met today since he probably already knows me a bit.
Should I just call admissions? I don't see any other contact info or anything on the <a href="https://webapp.as.cmu.edu/cmac/index.html%5B/url%5D">https://webapp.as.cmu.edu/cmac/index.html</a> page</p>
<p>Reread your link. </p>
<p>The preface states that the interview is for informational to You, in order for you to better select a college. Google, key words, [CMU student interview] and you will find, interviewer’s instructions for conducting the informational interview.</p>
<p>I hope he was able to answer your questions.
GL</p>
<p>[Forms</a> :: Carnegie Mellon Admission Council](<a href=“http://www.cmu.edu/cmac/forms/aluminterviewreport.htm]Forms”>http://www.cmu.edu/cmac/forms/aluminterviewreport.htm)</p>
<p>That’s the report we have to fill out. As you can see it’s not very thorough (otherwise most of us probably wouldn’t do them).</p>
<p>I don’t think they take our interviews into account a whole lot since of the five people I met with, I gave strong reviews to four and only one got a weak review. The weak one got in and the rest didn’t (and I’ll say with 99% certainty that one didn’t go to CMU while I can guarantee two of the others would have).</p>
<p>I’ve learned from doing the interviews that people seem to be a bit more at ease if I bring the printed form along with me, though I seldom write notes as we’re talking. I’ll usually hit up a computer pretty quickly afterwards and write up the report while all the ideas are fresh in my head. That said, this is definitely a good reason to bring along a resume or something of that sort since it’ll make the interviewer’s report be a little easier to write.</p>
<p>Oh I see, thanks!</p>