<p>I was certain that engineering interviews were never conducted, but the other day I was reading the Cornell website and there was a section on interviews. It said while all but a few programs do not require interviews, many applicants will be contacted for an interview with an alumnus.</p>
<p>Are engineering applicants included in this category? I do hope so, because anything to help boost my application would be wonderful.</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>I also forgot to mention I am applying early decision. Does this make a difference?</p>
<p>You may be called by an alumnus/alumna for an interview. A lot depends upon where you are located, and if there are available members of the Alumni volunteer committee in your area. Early Decision candidates who get applications in far enough in advance can be interviewed, but I believe that all interviews must be done before thanksgiving. </p>
<p>As a practical matter the report is about 250 characters and does not really factor into admissions in a big way. They view the interview as a chance to put a personal face on Cornell for the applicant. Someone who was in Hotel or Hume Ec, or any college could interview and Engineering applicant.</p>
<p>Anyway good luck to you.</p>
<p>My D is freshman in college of engineering and was not interviewed. But, we live in the mountain west so perhaps there just aren’t as many alumni to do the interveiws out here. I think for College of Engineering they do interviews if there are alumni available to do them. It also depends on how many apply from your area. </p>
<p>But, D was interviewed by Dartmouth (which is much much smaller than Cornell) and some other eastern colleges to which she applied.</p>
<p>I had an interview with an alumni from Cornell. She was representing Cornell at one of the info sessions at my high school. So I wrote her an e-mail asking for an interview. We met, talked for about an hour. Now she’s writing me a recommendation letter. I am too applying ED to COE. Good luck to you!</p>
<p>To clear up any confusion, only Hotel and Architecture have required interviews.</p>
<p>You may be contacted by a member of the Cornell Alumni Admissions Ambassador Network (CAAAN) in your area. If they contact you for a contact session (some use interview, which it’s not), make sure you take it. It’s an opportunity to expand upon what you submitted and gives an applicant the chance to add more. The ambassador will file a short report with the University, which is included in your admissions folder.</p>
<p>Although there are 8,000 CAAAN members worldwide, not every area has enough to cover applicants and there’s also a small window of time for the alumnus to speak with you (as mentioned above, the deadline for ED for an ambassador to file a report is Nov. 30). It won’t be held against you if you don’t have a contact session, and having the session will only help your chances (so come prepared for your meeting with a few questions!). BUT: if you turn down the meeting request, this will also be reported back to the admissions office.</p>