<p>So I had my Exeter interview yesterday. It was my first time having an experience like that. My interviewer did not say much, but asked me questions that I did not expect. They asked me about what kind of friends I had and my network of people that supports me. They also asked me about parental pressure if they were forcing me to apply. They also asked if getting into an Ivy League mattered to me ( honestly at this point, I couldn't care less about attending one) MULTIPLE times. My interview was pretty long. My dad was in the waiting room and said that the majority of the interviews lasted for 10-15 minutes while mine lasted for a little over an hour. I am so scared because my interviewer did not show much emotion and was taking these notes on me (a few pages). I felt as though I was being psychoanalyzed. I was also rarely interrupted while speaking, they were probably paying attention to every little thing ( yikes ). I totally have a fat chance applying for 11th grade. Well aside from this ranting, I am just wondering, can an interview make or break you in this entire process? The interview holds significant weight, right? Oh my lord...</p>
<p>Seems to me that if an interviewer is definitely uninterested in a candidate, then the interview will be short. That’s not to say that u are admitted.</p>
<p>Since u are wanting to enter into junior year, the stakes are particularly high, as junior yr is typically the most academically challenging year-- not the ideal time to be making a switch from an under-performing school to an uber-performing school. Entering in junior year leaves no cushion to smooth out bumps in your transcript before applying to college. No doubt Exeter wants to make sure your enrollment there will be in your best longer term interests. And that assessment warrants more than a 15 min conversation. </p>
<p>It doesn’t sound like a “bad” interview at all. Long is better. At least you know you got a chance to speak your piece. It may not have been about what you expected to talk about, but it was certainly about what the interviewer needed to know. </p>
<p>@twinsmama has a profile picture! :D</p>
<p>Even if the interview does make or break the application, what’s going to come out of worrying? Do as I say, not as I do…</p>
<p>My two kids have had both long and short interviews. There is no correlation with length of interview and getting in. They also had interviews they thought went well, and those they thought went horribly wrong. Again, no correlation with getting in. I think the best interview is one in which you feel you got across what makes you unique and how you will contribute to the community.</p>
<p>Interviewers are people with their own personalities. One of my interviews was very funny, others showed my mature side. I’m hoping for the best from both types! </p>
<p>I second stargirl13. There are tons of things I don’t think I did right on my admissions, but nothing will come of worrying.</p>