<p>So I got this email from a alumni, and accepted his offer.</p>
<p>
[quote]
I am a Cornell alumni admissions ambassador who graduated from the College of Arts & Sciences in 1993. On behalf of the Cornell Alumni Admissions Ambassador Network (CAAAN), I would like to invite you to join me for an informal, informational, one-on-one Contact Meeting. Please note that this is not an "interview," nor is it an official part of your application process; rather, it is an opportunity to discuss your goals and interests, and to address any questions you might have about the University.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>So, what should I ask, what can I expect? And do they actually talk to the admissions committee?</p>
<p>Well, I really would like to know too. I didn’t get any such email though.</p>
<p>SO BUMP</p>
<p>My son was accepted early decision and had one of these “interviews”. These are not “interviews”. If you read about the Cornell Ambassador Network, these are informational meetings meant to give the applicant an insight to Cornell. There is a whole website on the CAAN which explains their role in this process. Not all applicants are contacted, as it just depends where you live and if there is someone in your area. They are meant to be casual. See this link on what they send to admissions:</p>
<p>[CAAAN</a> Alumni Report Form](<a href=“http://caaan.admissions.cornell.edu/reptform.cfm]CAAAN”>http://caaan.admissions.cornell.edu/reptform.cfm)</p>
<p>The only schools having formal interviews which are taken into consideration for admission is the Hotel Administration and the Architecture, Art and Planning.</p>
<p>I know it is stressful and I stressed about everything when my son was going through this. But if you google Cornell CAAAN, you will find out about their role. Thanks.</p>
<p>I’ve got mines in 45 mins. Wish me luck!</p>
<p>Okay, then thanks for the link appreciate it.</p>
<p>Hmm, can’t edit, so: Anyone experince it, how did it go?</p>
<p>I actually did this “informal meeting” back when I applied to Cornell in 2010.</p>
<p>I would hate to pressure anyone, but I personally think you should treat it like an interview. Here’s why:</p>
<p>The comments from the alumni DO get reported to admissions, and the alumni frequently mention extenuating circumstances, experiences, and personal interests about the applicants. When I did my “interview,” it was clear that the alumna focused on answering questions I had about Cornell, but she did sneak in a question or two to gauge my interests about the major for which I was applying and tried to see whether I’m truly committed to attending Cornell if I’m accepted. You can understand why this may be important: alumni reports can help Cornell’s “yield rate,” because it would be useless to accept exceptional students if they have no interest in attending Cornell (they might just be applying because everyone else is applying).</p>
<p>My advice: be sincere. If you ask BS questions, they’re gonna know. How? Because they were also applicants once, and they also had certain curiosities about Cornell that you have if you were truly interested in Cornell. I didn’t ask too many questions, but there were a few burning questions (I won’t share here) that I could only ask to people who had actually attended Cornell. So my “interview” only lasted 25 minutes at a local Starbucks, but we had a great conversation and I knew by the time I walked out that Cornell was my first choice.</p>
<p>Thats great, thanks for the info about the informal meeting, what type of questions did you ask though? (Just the style or topic, not exact question)</p>
<p>The questions themselves don’t matter, but do try and convey a sincere desire to attend Cornell.</p>
<p>I had a nice meeting with an alumni ambassador a few months ago, even though I’m RD for this coming year. I had some questions about the area, the vibe, and the general req course selections. My alumni ambassador was very down to earth, respectful, helpful, and he did not make me feel at all anxious about the conversation. </p>
<p>We met at a local Starbucks and were there for about 45 minutes because neither of us had somewhere else to be. The conversation, for me, was just as much to answer and ask questions as it was to gauge each other’s personalities and interest levels. I was unsure if Cornell would be a good fit for me, but after having my meeting I was really excited to hopefully attend. He seemed like the kind of person I would make good friends with, the kind of person I want to be when I leave college. </p>
<p>I hope I also communicated an engaged, friendly, open vibe to him so that he could make note of it in his report. </p>
<p>My advice is to not intentionally try to impress him or her. Show them who you are and see if they are the kind of person you want to become during your college years. Ask honest, intelligent questions that cannot be answered with a quick google search. Enjoy the experience!</p>
<p>How’d it go? I’m curious because I have an interview soon as well.</p>
<p>I had a phone interview in this informal style with cornell last week. The alumnus was a biologist, and he started out by reminding me that this was meant to be informal, but I still thought of it as an interview. He definitely itself spent a great deal of time selling the school and talking about his experiences down to the details. I just tried to show my interest in what he was saying by adding in a few questions here and there and telling my thoughts about his experiences. After that, he asked me why I want to study environmental science, and what my favorite class in high school is. He also asked about my extra curriculars. That was about it for the questions. I asked the majority of mine during the interview, after we winded down. I asked a few more questions. Told him about a few experiences growing up. And that was it. After the Interview, I would definitely feel a lot better about choosing cornell if I had the opportunity to.</p>
<p>I wonder if anyone would give me an opinion on this… </p>
<p>So I had my interview at a Starbucks and the interviewer asked why Cornell? I said to him that I want to challenge myself and be around people who I can work well with. And that I want to study this major because Someday I want to work at this company someday… Would this be a good reason to say why I want to go to Cornell? I feel like I did mess up my “interview” and wasn’t well prepared as I was suppose to be.</p>
<p>Sounds like a fine answer to me.</p>
<p>Mine was incredibly casual, it was nothing like an interview at all. The alumni clearly stated that it was merely a way for me to ask him questions and get to know Cornell better. No pressing questions, as others said, it was really just a great conversation and him selling the school.</p>
<p>Yes, always put your best foot forward…these information sessions are also for Cornell to sell itself to its applicants. It goes both ways, of course! They are only available where there are alumni living. My son applied ED and was at a small boarding school in a small town in Virginia. Obviously, there were no alums around and he didn’t get this contact. He was admitted ED, so you see that it only works when the contact is convenient to both parties.</p>