<p>Ok, so one of my friends applied to the U of Chicago RD. There was this optional alumni interview being offered at the application tracking website. He filled out the details and requested one, and now he's got a hit from from an alumnus who graduated last year.</p>
<p>He was kind of unsure if the interview was an evaluative component or just a non-evaluative conversation. I didn't apply so Im not sure at all... Does any one know for sure...?</p>
<p>I think the interview’s a non-evaluative conversation, I was accepted EA and forgot to sign up for an interview, so it really does not determine your decision - your essays should convey your personality - your friend should still be prepared though - good luck!</p>
<p>i personally think it might be evaluative… it was optional, so that explains why conscience444 didn’t need one for his acceptance (congrats btw), but it does seem to be a proper alumni interview, where he’s supposed to report back… </p>
<p>I’ve got one on the 22nd too, so any opinions on this would be great… Because up till now, I was sure it was supposed to be evaluative.</p>
<p>It is evaluated. Since my interview (2 yrs ago), I’ve talked to him multiple times and has told me that he told admissions that he could see me fitting very well at UChicago. You definitely don’t need to have one (similarly you don’t need to write the optional essay). Doing it probably tends to help people rather than hurt them, and it definitely is not the most important thing for your application. If it goes well, it might just be the necessary boost to get you into the accepted pile from the maybe/waitlist pile.</p>
<p>Just go willing to be open, stay true to yourself, etc. They will probably ask you questions like: What are you involved with?, What classes are you taking?, Favorite Books/other forms of entertainment, etc. Pretty generic. It is also an opportunity to ask them questions: How often did you go to the city?, What dorm did you live in?, What activities did you get involved with?, etc… If you find something in common, you may end up talking about that for half the interview…</p>
<p>Truth be told, interviews are mostly a way to keep alums involved. Do they have some kind of effect? Maybe, but they’re there to keep alums connected and donating. I wouldn’t worry too much.</p>
<p>P.S. I am an alumni interviewer, and their pitch is pretty transparent (i.e. how much do you care about the university, etc.)</p>
<p>Okay my bad - I had interviews for other schools (ie Duke) where the interview was negligible - also - thanks asbjaved! good luck on your decision!</p>
<p>thanx CTDreyer and -CS, this helped clarify things
and conscience444 - i’ll really need it, i hope i make the cut too… im so obsessed with the U of Chicago…</p>
<p>Alumni interviews as well as on-campus interviews are added to your application and are considered in the decision.</p>