<p>I already had an alumni interview for Harvard, but I got a call today asking me to go to their campus for another interview. I don't think my parents can drive me to Cambridge at all the next few weeks. Is a second interview a make-or-break kind of thing? Are they making a final decision based on this second interview? Is there something wrong with my application? Eeek...</p>
<p>It definitely doesn't mean there's something wrong. In fact, it probably means there's something very attractive to admissions in your application. Good luck--if I were you I'd DEFINITELY go to the 2nd interview if they asked me specially.</p>
<p>Where are you from? Is there anyway you can take an Amtrak train to South Station in Boston, and then switch to the redline and get off at harvard square?</p>
<p>Are you a legacy? This is great news if you arent</p>
<p>A second interview is a good thing, but you are competing against others who are also returning for a second interview. </p>
<p>They have probably called back 8 applicants and will only take 3 or 4.</p>
<p>Be prepared for a "stress" question. If you are good on the interview, and I mean better than certain others, you will have no problem.</p>
<p>See my post regarding Harvard interviews.</p>
<p>Good Luck</p>
<p>this is interesting, but like others have asked, are you legacy or something like that, thykingdomcome?</p>
<p>No legacy, first generation college student, deferred early from Yale. I live around 1.5 hrs away from Cambridge.</p>
<p>Second interviews, in both the college applications world and in the real world, mean one thing: Good News. Beg your parents (or a teacher or family friend) to get you there. Pay for their gas and tolls. Wash their cars. Clean their cat box. Buy or make them dinner. Whatever it takes. If you are a first gen, then maybe there's some special merit/opportunity award under consideration. When you call back, ASK about the nature of the interview so you can prepare, if necessary. </p>
<p>If you were my kid, you'd be on the phone or emailing right now to make arrangements! :)</p>
<p>My advice applies to ANY school in which you're interested who shows you that level of love or money. This isn't just a Harvard thing.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>Actually, I heard that it could work another way: one absolutely ridiculous applicant (placed high in USAMO/Intel/Siemens etc) received a very poor interview report ("he's arrogant"). Harvard gave him a second interview because they loved him and didn't want to lose him... but the verdict ("he's extremely arrogant") dismayed the adcom enough that he was deferred. They gave him a THIRD interview - he was still arrogant, of course - and in the end rejected him.</p>
<p>Moral of the story? You never know. Tons of people are accepted with one interview... clearly they're seriously considering you, but was there maybe a discrepancy between your interview and application? So definitely take this opportunity, and definitely make sure you do well. Good luck!</p>
<p>Why does it matter if he is a legacy?</p>
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<blockquote> <p>Actually, I heard that it could work another way....<<</p> </blockquote>
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<p>Correct. Second interviews often mean there is some sort of disconnect between the app and first interview, so they want to take another look to make sure the first interviewer wasn't biased or mistaken in some way.</p>
<p>CountingDown: You forgot hitchhike! That would be a great story for an adcom :)</p>
<p>Woohoo! I'm getting there myself and missing a school day. Do you all suggest dressing up? I just can't imagine what I'm going to be drilled on since my adcom already knows my stats, ec's, has seen the alum interview. I thought that the alum interview was really good, and my stats are okay, though not too stelllar, so there shouldn't have been an enormous difference between the two things. I have no idea what to do. Is everyone pretty certain that this will be a make-or-break type of interview? Is there even anything I can do about it, prepare, etc?</p>
<p>be confident, that's the key!</p>
<p>Best of luck, I sure hope you get in</p>
<p>My (un)educated guess as to interview topics would be: ECs, interesting experiences you've had (esp. if those are part of your hook), what has motivated you to apply to Harvard, how your parents feel about this, hobbies, etc. you may not have mentioned on your app, how you traveled to the interview that day. </p>
<p>There are a few CC threads about interview questions that may give you some ideas as to possible topics. Go back and think about your first interview and evaluate what you thought went well, what you would have liked to say but didn't, what you thought you could have explained better. If you have a teacher who knows you well, perhaps he/she could simulate an interview with you or offer advice on what you should be sure to mention.</p>
<p>You come off as quite personable and flexible here -- be yourself. Have confidence, but don't be arrogant.</p>
<p>Parental advice: plan to arrive an hour beforehand, allowing for possible delays in trains/buses/finding parking), adequate time to find your interview site, and shake off your nerves/get pumped up/whatever you do mentally to prepare for an interview. If I am unexpectedly delayed getting to a business meeting or appointment, that delay acts as a real distraction from the business at hand. Get a good night's sleep. Take detailed directions/schedules/maps. Have extra cash. Hit the restroom before you enter the admissions office. Carry a cell phone in case you are lost/late (turn off when you enter the building.) Bring resume/portfolio as appropriate. Dress well -- this one counts.</p>
<p>Again, good luck!!!</p>