I had my meeting with a local alumni yesterday and was wondering whether it was ”normal” or not. I briefly introduced myself, but mainly just talked a bit about my academic interests and why I chose to apply Cornell. I wasn’t able to talk much more about anything else about me and the meeting was mainly me asking him questions about Cornell from his experience.
Was this how the meeting should have? I don’t know whether I adequate conveyed how much I want to go to Cornell so I’m a bit worried.
I think it’s a good sign as it’s coming to the end of the admissions circle.
There is no need to mention everything in the interview. Cornell wants to know something about you, not everything. As long as you don’t leave the alumni a bad impression, you’ll be fine.
BTW, how long is the interview? Is it a phone call or Skype?
@webuyourselves Great, thanks for the reassurance! I might have just been spinning out! Looking back, I did elaborate on why I personally wanted to attend Cornell, whereas in my essay I focused on academics and my interests.
My interview was about 45 minutes long and it was over Zoom. My alumni offered to do a FaceTime or Zoom meeting, or a phone call.
Someone said Cornell alumni don’t submit written reports to the office. Is it the case?
The alumni contact said that they can submit an informational observational report (pretty short I’ve heard), if you reveal any new information. I didn’t really mention anything new about myself since I had written an update letter to admissions about two weeks ago. He said the meeting is “just a way to support your application.”
Well, I don’t think the alumni are allowed to read your application(maybe they can see a very small part of the application?), so basically he will write what he has observed. Good luck! Wish you in!
And it seems this year very few people are contacted for the meeting. Don’t know why.
They aren’t allowed to read our apps (he said that in the meeting)! I just didn’t want to mention anything I had already noted in my application or directly to admissions. All he knew was the college I applied to, my high school, and my intended major (and the fact that I applied ED).
I also don’t know why they aren’t contacting too many people. I was contacted on Saturday night and asked to meet by today, so it was definitely a bit rushed.
You apply CALS, right? Good for you.
Yes, I applied to the Biometry and Stats major in CALS!
My very good friend applied Cornell ED Arts and Sciences. Don’t forget to write a thank-you note to your interviewer.
Thank you, I did! I also asked a few follow-up questions haha.
Good luck! I hope to hear good news from you and my friend. You two will!
Cornell alumni meetings are non evaluative and there is no report this cycle. Just a form saying that you met or not. Definitely don’t sweat it.
Oh really? Well, great! Thank you!
Cornell “interviews” are meetings only and just for you to really ask questions. In the past the alumni is only really provided with the school you applied to (can’t remember if they get intended major) and whether you’re a legacy. But that’s it.
This year they are not sending in any report as nothing is going in your file.
On my son’s application portal he was given the option to request an interview. It sounds like not everyone had that option which is odd.
It also seems like many of the people doing the interviews this year were not the regular alumni members but the higher ups in the local alumni groups.
Regardless, as momofsenior1 said, there is nothing to sweat and it’s just a casual thing.
I haven’t heard that “non regular” members are doing the meetings. I was notified as usual. But for the record, the chairs always do some of the meetings too.
the alumni interviews are only for the interviewee… informational. In the past they have submitted reports but aren’t even doing that this year…so it won’t make a difference either way. No worries and good luck.
My daughter had her alumni meet and greet on Monday, 12/6, over Zoom. The “interview,” more of a conversation, lasted approximately 40 minutes, give or take. My understanding is that the “interview” is an opportunity to speak to an alumnus to learn something “new” and, furthermore, provide some insight about oneself - that he may or may not share - that was not part of the application itself. In any event, the end-game is to accept the opportunity and show up, especially if it was scheduled and confirmed.
accepted!