<p>Alright, thanks for the tips neato.</p>
<p>One more thing; is a week too late? In some cases it's better late than never, but I'm not too sure about this one...</p>
<p>
[quote]
Hmm... well I had an interview at Exeter a week ago, and haven't gotten anything from her? Is this a bad sign? I have never thought of sending anything, because, well I wasn't sure if I'd come across as sycophantical (is that even a word) or something!?</p>
<p>Should I send a quick "Thanks so much for your time" note off?
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Don't read too much into it. Everyone has their own style. It's not a sign of anything. </p>
<p>Sending a "thanks for your time" note is never going to hurt you. Keep it extremely short and genuine if you are worried about how it comes across. It's a common enough practice that no one would be surprised. It can be an email, it doesn't have to be a handwritten note.</p>
<p>A week later is not too late.</p>
<p>Great, thanks so much Mozzie! I'm writing the email as of this second...</p>
<p>(This was a brilliant thread idea by the way, VERY helpful! Puts many eager-to-please prep hopefuls minds at rest.)</p>
<p>I had an off-campus interview with an Exeter alumni and she didn't send me anything. I don't think she was a good interviewer either. She's not one of those alumni that keeps in touch with the school. It's like she never even went there. Every time I asked her a question about the school, she would refer and flip through the book. I was like in my brain, "I've already read this viewbook, you're just repeating everything I already know". When she couldn't find it, she just kept saying "I don't know" or "you should contact the school about that". In the end, I never sent a thank-you note.</p>
<p>Aww, that sucks. Maybe try getting a second interview on the phone if you didn't like that one :"B</p>
<p>I went to Exeter and had a so-so interview... I had a few hours of sleep and had to leave at 3 am to go to boston and almost 12 hours later I was sitting in the room about to be interviewed... I did an ok job, but I know I didn't do anything special.</p>
<p>I'm trying to get a local alumni to interview me and send the interview that I have with them aswell... I think that is appropriate.</p>
<p>Yeah, good idea Italian. I wasn't aware you could hold more than one interview (can you?). I'm sure it went fine (ie., I doubt you barfed all over him/her from nerves, lol), but I agree that if you aren't 100% pleased, than you shouldn't just 'let it slide', especially if it's a school you're very passionate about.</p>
<p>My interview went <em>exceptionally</em> well. I wish every interview could be like that.</p>
<p>And yeah, I'm gonna refrain from sending a slightly tardy thank-you note, for several reasons.</p>
<p>You should always send a thank you not - late or not.</p>
<p>Senay--</p>
<p>I'm sorry you didn't get what you needed. It's really tricky to acquire enough current info about a school to do a decent alumni interview. Before interview season starts I read the viewbook, read the school website, scan the code of conduct, and read a few issues of the student newspaper. But I still can't accurately answer the question "what's a typical day at the school like?" I didn't graduate that long ago, but here is a short list of things that are totally different: schedule methodology (has changed twice), campus, dress code, school meetings, dinner, lights out rules, service requirements, class registration procedure, some academic requirements, language offerings, rules for internet and cellphone useage, and that's just what I know about!</p>
<p>But it's a shame you had someone who was so unprepared. I do urge you to try to have a phonecall with someone at the school if you have more questions.</p>
<p>have you ever had phone interview? most of mine are phone interviews and i just wonder whether they're more boring than those on-campus.... =[</p>
<p>Well, I'd BET they're more boring. Probably more room for 'awkward silences' as well. Plus you can't see the campus, other facutly members - you can't get an overall, universal 'feel' for the school and people within it.</p>
<p>But for some it's the only option, so the school must be compassionate and not differentiate or favor those who had a face-to-face interview - touch as it may be, it's important.</p>
<p>yeah i know, i had two with so many awkward silences, the interviewers almost said "oh thats great" [which sounded not great at all...hmm =.=] after i spoke something... then they laughed a few times... well not much...
so, i really don't know what the signs of a good phone interview are....</p>
<p>I've not had phone interviews as an interviewer. I had a few back in the day as an applicant, and lots as a job seeker.</p>
<p>My tips are:</p>
<p>do the interview where you can stand up and walk around</p>
<p>If you need to think about something, say "I need to think about that for a moment"</p>
<p>I try to make a joke at some point about the fact that it's a phone interview "I'm totally nodding my head right now... but I guess you can't see that :) "</p>
<p>You may want to check out articles intended for job applicants regarding phone interviews.</p>
<p>Phone</a> Interview Tips </p>
<p>WorkTree.com</a> - How To Master Telephone Interviews </p>
<p>Five</a> ways to do better in phone interviews Brazen Careerist by Penelope Trunk</p>
<p>Mozzie,
First of all thanks so much for this thread its really helpful! Alrighty, my question is: does it matter who you interview with? For instance, I interviewed with the director of admissions at my top choice school and it went extraordinarily well (I think). Does he have more of a say when it comes time to vote on my application than a regular admissions officer would?</p>
<p>
[quote]
does it matter who you interview with? For instance, I interviewed with the director of admissions at my top choice school and it went extraordinarily well (I think). Does he have more of a say when it comes time to vote on my application than a regular admissions officer would?
[/quote]
</p>
<p>I think it gives you a leg up when you interview with someone in admissions. The "director" of admissions may or may not have more of a say when the team starts putting together the class. That has to do with the dynamics of the particular team, who's been there longer, politics, personal management style and all sorts of other stuff. And it probably isn't worth worrying over.</p>