<p>I just had an interview with an alumni - and it went awful! Not only because it was unannounced, but the interviewer said some downright offensive stuff, not only to me, but to others as well. I cannot imagine what she will write about me. Should I file a complaint or will it hurt my admissions? And if I were to complain, to who do I turn? I was left completely shocked by some things she said. </p>
<p>Can you say a little more about what was shocking or offensive?</p>
<p>@seasider: I had one really terrible interview as well (my interviewer was also offensive), and the advice I was given was to tell admissions about the alumnus after May 1st in a letter, basically to inform them that the alumnus should not be interviewing prospective students.</p>
<p>Well, Iâm not sure of how much Iâd dare to write here, but the worst part was that she made some very racist remarks using horrible words at least four times throughout our short interview. She went on about my âpoorâ grades and extracurriculars, didnât give me the chance to ask questions about Brown, and spent five minutes asking about my other schools. </p>
<p>Yeah, definitely let Brown know after you get your decision. Thatâs the kind of person who shouldnât be interviewing anyone. Iâm sorry you had such a bad experience.</p>
<p>Okay, thanks for your help. I feel really awful about the whole thing. So I should wait until after the whole admissions process to contact someone? Iâm just worried that whatever theyâll say about me wonât be good since I honestly was numbed!</p>
<p>seasider, that is very unfortunate. I might think to write them now with the intention that you would like your interview set aside because you feel the interview wasnât a good representation of you because of the discomfort you felt about the interviewer. But you are going to have to be specific about these things without being petty and just let go of the small stuff. My daughter tells me when she interviews she doesnât even know what their grades are (and doesnât ask) but just assumes they are great if they are applying to Brown. It is really uncalled for to comment like that, as they arenât the ones evaluating your academic record. How do they know your grades?</p>
<p>Well my young friend had her 30 minute interview today and it went fine. It seemed to be organized with several interviewers and someone setting up a group of applicants all day. She had to drive quite a long way for it. The interviewer was an older gentleman who liked to tell stories so he spent a lot of time talking. He asked her a few questions, not many, and asked if she minded if he took notes because he had to interview quite a few and wanted to keep track. He was very kind and complimentary.</p>
<p>As far as grad students, yes they use them if undergrad alums arenât available. My daughter was interviewed by someone who just went to grad school there. </p>
<p>I want to addâanyone who gets an unexpected interview on the spot should not hesitate to say they are tied up at the moment and can a mutually convenient time be arranged? In most cases this will not be a problem. If it is, you can choose to interview on the spot or ask Brown for another interviewer or just not interview, which is not held against you if mutual times canât be scheduled.</p>
<p>@BrownParent thank you for your help. She asked me about my grades, and when I replied that I thought they were good, she specifically said that she wanted to know my GPA. Upon hearing it, she went on to hope that at least my extracurriculars were up to Brownâs levels, which apparently they werenât.
If I emailed the admissions office, should I only state the apparent racism, and say exactly what they said? Should I name the interviewer, or wait for Brownâs reply?</p>
<p>Sea, can you have your GC handle this? He/she could speak directly with the area rep or a team member, say you had concerns, without it being you on the spot. </p>
<p>I agree with @lookingforward - talk to your GC and ask him/her to relay the information on to Brown. </p>
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<p>Iâm pretty sure we are told specifically not to ask this kind of info. I do ask about extracurriculars, but itâs more in the context of âwhat do you like to do outside of the classroomâ not âlet me evaluate your application.â As interviewers, our job is not to evaluate your application - if it were, it would be given to us, which it is not.</p>
<p>This person just sounds like a bad interviewer and it is unfortunate you were subjected to her.</p>
<p>My S had his Brown interview yesterday and it went quite well according to him. At least he liked the flow. He said so far of 4 interviews heâs had so far (PY Rice) that was his favorite. Letâs see what happens:) Good luck to all</p>
<p>Seasider, that interview sounds horrible. If I were an area chair, I would really really want to know and bar that person from ever meeting prospective students again. Why wait to May? Report it now. </p>
<p>Interviewers are specifically told to NOT ask about GPA or test scores. Itâs not our business and we are supposed to make an independent evaluation of students uncolored by that information. We are supposed to ask about ECs, but I would never, ever pass judgment about them during an interview. Thatâs rude and totally unnecessary. This person sounds dreadful. </p>
<p>@seasider, since there is a lack of details on the interview, Iâm just curious as to what transpired. Can you answer these for me? Now Iâm not trying to say whoâs right or wrong, but since youâre accusing someone of inappropriate behavior, the least you can do is to present some evidence. Thank you.</p>
<ol>
<li>You had an interview that was unannounced? What does unannounced mean? You mean little or no notice?</li>
<li> âthe interviewer said some downright offensive stuff, not only to me, but to others as well.â What was the âoffensive stuff?â And did you talk to the others? What were their claims?</li>
<li>What were the racist remarks?</li>
<li>What was the context around her asking for your GPA?</li>
<li>Interviewers are all different, some speak a lot, some donât. What do you think is wrong with the fact that the interviewer didnât give you a chance to ask questions about Brown?</li>
<li>What do you think is wrong with her asking about other schools?</li>
<li>And lastly, how qualified do you think you are to be admitted to Brown?</li>
</ol>
<p>Annie, I donât think seasider needs to answer to the third degree like you want to know. Iâm curious about your first question but the rest is unnecessary. Iâm very knowledgable about the interview process and under NO circumstances is it appropriate for an interviewer to ask a studentâs GPA or what other schools they are applying to. And yes, it is wrong in all circumstances to not let a student ask questions. </p>
<p>Uh no⊠if youâre going to accuse someone of racism and other inappropriate behavior, you better have some facts, especially when the other person is not even here to defend himself or herself. Otherwise, this court of public opinion is a sham.</p>
<p>Annie, if seasider makes a formal complaint then yes, facts will be needed. But CC is a anonymous website where people come for advice. The interviewerâs name and location wasnât given. No one on CC expects an unnamed interviewer to defend him/herself. Youâre very new to CC and I suggest you lurk a bit before you make these judgments. </p>
<p>@fireandrain</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Low number of posts does not mean I havenât been reading these forums. So youâre already mistaken.</p></li>
<li><p>You donât know much about me so donât know how much experience I have with students and colleges.</p></li>
<li><p>Seasider came for advice and to attack a Brown alumni, thereby attacking the Brown name, because now, when other kids and parents do a search for Brown admissions interview, theyâll come across Seasiderâs posts, which cast a negative light on Brown. Hence, the truth needs be sought out. Brownâs fault? Interviewerâs fault? Intervieweeâs fault? Otherâs fault? Combination of all?</p></li>
<li><p>Seasider already has set the public court of opinion against this interviewer. And unfairly as itâs only one side of the story.</p></li>
<li><p>In this day and age, is there any one whoâs really anonymous? Say hi to Mr. Snowden for me. If the government wanted, theyâd get the records from CC, get seasiderâs IP address, trace it back to her house, figure out who seasider, then figure out who the interviewer was. See <a href=âPlano girl arrested 'for bullying special needs teen Shea Shawhan with vile texts' | Daily Mail Onlineâ>Plano girl arrested 'for bullying special needs teen Shea Shawhan with vile texts' | Daily Mail Online;
</ol>
<p>@Annie</p>
<p>" Seasider already has set the public court of opinion against this interviewer. And unfairly as itâs only one side of the story."</p>
<p>I disagree. My first reaction was to wonder the exact same questions you had since I consider myself not want to rush to judgment. But since I knew that whatever course Seasider would choose, those in power would ask those exact same questions â I let it slide. Of course, we see one side of it. Of course, this might have been an over-reaction â we wonât ever know. Thatâs not a problem whatsoever in my estimation.</p>
<p>People who would draw profound conclusions based upon Seasiderâs presumed sincere inquiry for advice are pretty gullible, IMHO. Neither you or I can help those peopleâŠ</p>
<p>Brown doesnât need its reputation protected here</p>