<p>1) I thought CALS AEM didn't have interviews...</p>
<p>2) An alumni called me yesterday and I just got home this morning. He left me a voicemail at my home phone with his name and phone #.</p>
<p>3) I've never had an interview before, so when I call him do I set up a date, time, and location? </p>
<p>4) What kind of questions are asked during the interview?</p>
<ol>
<li><p>It's not an evaluative interview; A much better description would be a 1 on 1 information session to help you get a feel for the atmosphere and culture of cornell. The interview helps you find out about cornell; cornell already knows about you from your application, though you can add anything you forgot in the interview. The interview carry's very very little weight, basically, unless you start a food fight in front of your interviewer, it's a "good" interview.</p></li>
<li><p>"Alumni" is the plural of "alumnus." also, the female, singular version of alum__ is "alumna."</p></li>
<li><p>Aim for a neutral location, like a coffee shop or w/e. He'll probably take the lead though, since he's the one who called you.</p></li>
<li><p>He/she'll probably ask you a little about yourself to get it going, but the interview is more about you asking him/her questions. Think of "telling" questions about cornell's atmosphere, like "what was your favorite class," "where did you live over the years," "what did you do in the winter for fun; i hear they're really cold." Things like that, which will bring back good memories for the interviewer and help you get a good idea of what cornell is really like. It's nothing of paramount importance, just a fun conversation where the alum is trying to help you out.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Thanks for clearing that up. So its basically me interviewing him to get a feel for the school. On the voicemail, he said "I'm a Cornell alumni".</p>
<p>I had an interview with an alum already, and I applied to AEM. She went to CALS but not AEM, she hadn't even heard of AEM and it took her a while before she finally caught on that AEM was just a fancy name for business. It was really informal, and basically its more your chance to ask questions. She might have asked me a few basic things like what my extra cirriculars were, why I was interested in my major, stuff like that.</p>
<p>OK, well obviously he never took any latin nor had any person looking out for his perceived intelligence :D. i'm not trying to be a dick, just trying to help you out and look educated. no worries.</p>
<p>I was just contacted for one and in the email, my interviewer did refer to himself/herself (don't know which based on the name, going to have to find out when I call him/her) as an alumnus.</p>
<p>Quick question: Since it's an informal 1 on 1 chat, should I bring my SAT scores or anything of the sort?</p>
<p>No, don't bring your SAT scores. They want to know about you other than the numbers. ECs. It's basically a 1 on 1 conversation about Cornell. More like a information session where you get to ask questions.</p>
<p>Do I need to wear dress shoes? I have black casual shoes(not sneakers) and not sure if it is okay. Also, Is it okay if my outer coat is informal but I wear some semi-formal long sleeve polo+ dress pants combo underneath? Mines is afterschool and I need to bring my bookbags and stuff along</p>
<p>dress can be casual, just not sloppy</p>
<p>you don't need a resume or test scores or anything</p>
<p>if the person knew enough to say "alumnus" rather than "alumni," it's probably a guy because the female singular is "alumna."</p>
<p>I just did it </p>
<p>Very fun and enjoyable. Nothing to fuss about really.</p>
<p>lol i dressed sloppily.. i had on a sweatshirt</p>
<p>I finally got in touch with the alumnus and I'm seeing him Thursday.</p>
<p>Is jeans and a track jacket fine?</p>
<p>Or should I go cargos and polo?</p>
<p>khaki/buttonup shirt.</p>
<p>i threw on a tie for kicks.</p>
<p>it really doesn't matter as long as you're a decent person. However, there are some people who judge a lot by first (visual) impressions, so I always play it safe and try and look very presentable (i.e. khakis and polo) whenever I have an "informal, casual dress" interview of any kind.</p>
<p>My application for Cornell was postmarked and received early December, and I have yet to hear about an alumni interview (all of my friends who applied have been contacted for interviews). Does this mean I'm pretty much out of the running as fars as chances go? While I'm a little bummed, it wouldn't totally break my heart, I've managed to avoid getting my heart set on anything.</p>
<p>(PS: I posted here because I applied to CALS for biological sciences)</p>
<p>there are a lot of threads on this; why didn't you search for them?</p>
<p>There are more applicants than alumni interviewers, so not every applicant gets an interview. It has no reflection on your chances.</p>