I applied to Stanford in REA. I have an interview scheduled for this Saturday. What are the questions they ask? And what all do they know about me? What can I ask him? Please give any advice you have, not only limiting to the questions I have asked. Thank you!
I’ve interviewed for two top-tier colleges, and the questions you get will vary from interviewer to interviewer. My interviews are informal and more like conversations, though I always ask why a student wants to attend the school (and the answer needs to be convincing). In my experience, the information interviewers receive is very limited (e.g., a student’s name, contact information, high school, prospective major, and interests). You can ask the interviewer anything you want to, and it’s a good idea to have at least a few thoughtful questions—preferably not ones that you could find out the answers to yourself by looking online. The most important thing is to be enthusiastic about the school and show the interviewer why it would be a good fit for you (and vice versa). Good luck!
@Planner alright, thank you! But the Stanford website says interviewers don’t have access to your grades or activities.
I don’t interview for Stanford but have for two other top schools. My guess is that interviews work similarly at Stanford, though the precise information each school gives to alumni interviewers may vary. Neither school I’ve interviewed for provides information on grades, though I know someone who interviewed for Harvard and said she always asked her interviewees about their GPAs and test scores. I’ve never done that, since colleges already have that information. Some students have given me resumes, though, containing GPAs and test scores. (It’s up to you whether or not you bring a resume—either way, it won’t affect your chances of getting in. In my experience, most students haven’t brought them.)
Stanford interviewing is still very much in its infancy, and it’s not a very formal process. My interviewer had no information on me except for my name and that I was applying to the school.
If I recall correctly, my interviewer asked me about my interests, what I like to do, and why exactly I was interested in Stanford. Pretty typical questions, but the interview itself felt casual. It was less like a rigorous interview, and much more like a conversation between two people about various topics.
Be prepared for your interview to go over time if you have an interesting conversation. I know several people whose interviews went well over the scheduled time. However, don’t be worried if it’s short, or doesn’t seem to go that well. Interviews at Stanford are interesting because the interviewer is only involved in the application process in writing a recommendation report to the admissions council. If they don’t feel that they can honestly recommend you, it’s just recorded as you not wanting an interview at all.
Don’t worry about it. Stanford doesn’t even give interviews to California residents, who make up ~30-40% of the student body.
Guys when did you submit your app? I sent mine on the very last day and I’m frraking out because no one’s contacted me about an interview.
I am a parent of a high school senior, and have been an interviewer for Stanford the past 2 years (grad 1978). I do not do interviews this year because Stanford does not allow parents of high school seniors to interview (even if my daughter does not apply). Stanford has not been doing interviews for many years, and is still in the growth phase of recruiting and training alumni to do interviews. They want to interview everybody, its a manpower shortage at this time if someone is not offered an interview.
I feel I can reveal the guidance that Stanford gives to us as interviewers. They ask us to rate candidates in 3 categories (I am paraphrasing) 1) depth of commitment (to something) 2) intellect 3) personal skills. We are given zero information about the students. In my opinion, the success of the interview turns on criteria #1. 2 and 3 show themselves. If a student can clearly express something they care about, know about, show evidence of achievement and self-initiative in that area, demonstrate reflection and thoughtfulness on the topic, the interview is a success. Our BS detectors are on, so it requires honesty and sincerity. I like to learn something I do not know, and to have something explained to me in a clear concise manner.
At this time, I believe, Stanford states that the interviews are optional. You may be curious as to whether agreeing to an interview helps or hurts. I think it depends on how one thinks one would do in an interview. I see no harm in turning down the opportunity if one is hesitant or nervous, because they evaluate large proportion of the pool without interviews. Contrary to a previous post, we certainly can write “negative” reports.
Finally, good luck, and that darn school is EXTREMELY stringent right now. Although I do not know the grades, test scores of those I have interviewed, a large number of have been awesome students with amazing achievements, wonderful kids who will do amazing things, and I have only had ONE accepted (out of about 20, artist/playwright). Not the computer hacker/Obama campaign worker, not the football player/rock band leader/4 years of Chinese kid, not the hip-hop dance leader/neuroscience intern, not the Iraqi immigrant/gymnast, not the #1 tennis player/nationally ranked marketing idea contributor/photographer. Its sort of ridiculous, I think there are so few spots after they take the DI athletes, celebrity/politician kids, big donor kids, and the actual rare geniuses/artists/musical prodigies.
@potterfan I submitted it 15 mins before the deadline and got an email yesterday for one.
@DHMchicago Thank you sir/maam! I have a pretty good idea now. 
I agree that interviewers can and do write negative reports, and I think a negative report, even from an alum interviewer, can adversely affect an applicant’s chances of admission—though not always. I’m guessing that If an applicant has great recommendations from his or her teachers, who know the applicant much better, a negative alum interview isn’t weighed heavily. On the other hand, applicants occasionally reveal things in alumni interviews that are (to put it mildly) unfortunate, and if interviewers include those things in their reports, those applicants might not get in.
I disagree, though, that there’s no harm in turning down an interview. Any admissions committee will wonder why (e.g., is the student just not into us?) and will likely view this as a negative. You should use every opportunity you can, with every school you’re applying to—even if it’s your last choice—to “demonstrate interest.” I know of an outstanding candidate who applied to a top college (not Stanford) that placed a great deal of emphasis on demonstrated interest. The student lived within an hour’s drive of the school and, to my knowledge, only visited once and didn’t do an overnight visit, even though the school encouraged overnight visits and was the student’s top choice. The student didn’t get in, and that may have been why.
I have my interview on saturday as well. What should I wear? I know it says to dress casual but I was going to wear a casual skirt with a top and boots - something I would wear to school when I want to look a little more put together then just wearing jeans.
That sounds fine. You don’t want to be too dressed up (like in a suit, though that wouldn’t be a negative) or too casual (like shorts and a T-shirt, which might be).
Ok, thank you so much. I’m so scared that I’ll mess this up for myself!
Don’t worry—just be yourself, be very clear in your own mind about why you want to go to Stanford and what you’d do there, and convey your enthusiasm (sincerely) to your interviewer. Remember, it’s a very rare interview that makes or breaks an application—other things will count much more. Good luck!
Other than the 3 categories in which to summarize our thoughts about a student, the only other guidance Stanford gives us is to be specific when we give our opinions in the report. We can only be specific if the student is specific; if the conversation includes details. That is why I have always felt obligated to probe into details when a student mentions an interest or activity. If you mention you are a musician, I ask what music styles you like and why, what you don’t like, etc. If I am unfamiliar with the music style, its a nice opportunity to learn about it. That is why I stress that you should not mention superficial interests and achievements and you have to be completely honest; depth is critical.
Realize that my advice is from an “n of 1” sample of how I have carry out Stanford’s guidance. Everybody is going to be different, but my interactions with other interviewers seems to indicate a super-friendly, casual group of people just wanting to engage students in an enjoyable conversation. I ask students why they want to go to Stanford, but solely as an ice-breaker, I tell them the answer does not need to be profound, just honest. I also think that the interview is not that big a deal, doesn’t make or break the application. Part of the purpose of the program I am sure is to bring alumni back into the fold, and to imprint Stanford more indelibly in to peoples’ minds. They even told us that they hope the students who don’t get in will keep Stanford in mind for grad/professional school, so we are selling the brand too.
@harishgunner What did the interviewer say in his or her email? Did the interviewer said the interview was optoinal and let u decide?