<p>Carnegie Mellon is my top choice (I'm applying there ED) and I plan to visit it next week. During my visit, I might be able to do an interview with one of the admissions officer. What is the difference between an interview by an admissions officer or a school alumnus? Which interview increases your chances of getting in more? </p>
<p>Also, are there different rules for each one? I've heard you have to submit your app before doing an alumni interview, but I'm not sure if the same rule applies for admissions officer interviews. </p>
<p>I'm confused about the differences between these two options and would like some guidance on which one is better (in any sense of the word). Thanks.</p>
<p>Interviews with an admissions officer will be taken into account for your application. They’re the ones making the decision in the spring and will know how you compare to other students. Alumni interviews are mostly informational for you and only serve to demonstrate your interest in the school. Trust me, they don’t care what the alumni says about the student’s interests.</p>
<p>As to which would be better…that depends on if you’re a good interviewer or not.</p>
<p>Thanks RacinReaver. I’m planning on preparing like crazy for the interview, so I guess I’d better go with the admissions officer interview. Does anyone know what would be good to bring to the interview (i.e. resume, recommendations, etc.)? In junior year, I was part of the Cappies Critics program and wrote some theater reviews. I think that they’re some of the best things I’ve ever written (a few of them were forwarded to a local newspaper for publication) and show a different side of me. Would you advocate bringing them to the interview?</p>
<p>EDIT: Apparently there are no tours or info. sessions for the next two weeks! That really ruins my college visit plans.</p>