<p>So, I received the infamous call earlier today and this guy got straight to business. I don't even remember his name (not a big problem, I figure he'll repeat when we introduce ourselves) because I had just woke up from a nap. He asked if I could meet today or tomorrow and I said "no" to today, but agreed to meet him tomorrow at 7PM. Now here's the weird part: he asked me to meet him at his house. At first, I thought nothing of it. I took down his address and he gave me some quick directions. I then realized he lives in the same development as my sister (only 5 minutes driving from my house). He then said "there's no need to bring your parents, only you." Now at the time, I thought he was probably just annoyed that some kids' parents did show up and interfered in the interview process. </p>
<p>So, now, thinking back on it and after quickly going to the CAAAN website, I saw that one-on-one interviews at the alumnus' house are not allowed. I'm kind of uncomfortable now. I definitely feel like I should call him and ask to meet at Panera (5 minutes away from him, about 5 from me, too). But, of course, I don't know his personality and he could be very easily annoyed by this. I'm not so sure I want to take that risk. We're both male, if that means anything.</p>
<p>It’s most likely harmless, but no. You should definitely not meet him at his house if you feel at all uncomfortable. And as you mention, alums are technically not allowed to meet students at their house. So it’s a no brainer. Call him back and offer another location and another date, if possible.</p>
<p>Remember, not having a contact can’t hurt you. </p>
<p>Also, if you PM me the high school you attend and your name I will forward on this information to the relevant individuals.</p>
<p>something similar happened to me for my tufts interview…but it was 2 weeks before decisions were released and when we called up the admissions/alumni office to ask about him, he wasn’t on their list of alumni giving interviews. needless to say, “something” came up and I couldn’t make the interview.</p>
<p>anyway, you’ve probably figured things out by now…hopefully you weren’t abducted or anything!</p>
<p>It’s a fairly new “guideline” on the Tips and Advice sheet for interviewers. Many “old-timers” who interview and haven’t attended meetings or read the collateral material that is received, are merely conducting business in the “same-old, same-old” fashion. I wouldn’t be suspicious of foul play.</p>
<p>I agree with Tahoe. It used to be quite typical to meet a CAAAN representative at their home. It is quite possible that this particular CAAAN interviewer is not aware that the rules changed about 3-4 years ago regarding meeting instead in a public place.</p>
<p>@Cayuga: I got contacted today by email from a local CAAAN representative (finally…) and she also wants it at her home, which I think is perfectly normal.
I wonder why I’m getting an RD interview as a deferred applicant rather than getting an ED interview.</p>
Turn down the interview (it’s optional and won’t affect admissions).
Go to the house. If you’re scared, tell your whole family exactly where you’re going beforehand, bring your cell phone preset to “911”, and a can of mace, and be ready to leave at the first moment you feel uncomfortable. If you’re super-scared, have your parents wait outside in the car.</p>
<p>Lol, I’m not going to decline it. It’s close to my house (relatively), and it’s a woman with a husband and two kids who are Jewish just like me… I’m not scared lol.
I’ll probably drive myself since it’s close.</p>
<p>Just think it’s kind of ironic that I got the interview during a time that’s really busy for me rather than when I reaaaaaaaaaaaaaally wanted one during ED.</p>
<p>First of all, if you want to improve your chances of admission, watch the old movie The Graduate and then arrange an interview when the husband and kids aren’t home. I’m sure that one’s not in the CAAAN handbook.</p>
<p>Everything went decently ok. I tried to present myself nicely, but I was a bit nervous and stuttering a bit with words. I also said Cornell was a 5 hour drive from my house and I think he got upset with that because it’s a 3.5hr drive for him. All in all, he wrote down what I wanted him to write down I think (he was jotting during the chat) including some personal issues which stopped me from going to ECs at my school. He was a genuinely nice person and was interviewing a friend of mine right after so I put in a good wood for her before I left.</p>
<p>No offense, but that was kind of naive. I mean, I don’t know you, and I’m sure you are a very responsible individual, but that seemed very shady. I would’ve called and said straight up, “I’m sorry sir, but I feel uncomfortable meeting at your home alone. Is it possible to meet up at the [insert name here] instead?” I’m sure he would’ve absolutely understood. (especially if you used the words “home alone”) Then you could have just thanked him for meeting you there.</p>
<p>I’m glad it went alright, but to others, be wary. My .02 to other people.</p>
<p>Drman54, how tactful of you (sarcasm). Nothing like insulting the interviewer by insinuating that what he proposed was inappropriate. You should work in sales (sarcasm).</p>