<p>This happened during a Brown interview. I was reminiscing about some bad times and, to my horror, started to choke up. Every time I tried to resume speaking, I'd choke up again, and while I kept my tears back, I was incoherent and flustered for about five minutes....</p>
<p>So basically, did I just destroy my chances of getting in?</p>
<p>By chance did u catch the interviewers facial expression?</p>
<p>If he felt bad for you then probably not...which kinda relates to afitscher's question. If you noticed a sense of compassion or understanding from the interviewer then your chances are fine i guess.</p>
<p>No way! It shows you are sincere and have experiences that have undoubtedly taught you lessons that have changed your life. Of course you were choked up for a few minutes. As long as you were able to regain your composure and resume the interview in the end, you're fine. It means you were both memorable and honest about whatever you were talking about. As long as you didn't weep pathetically for half an hour, it can only help IMHO. Good luck with Brown--and if you don't get into Brown, it's not b/c of this. Remember, colleges want students who are passionate, emotional about some aspect of their lives. This interview shows you have emotions and have gone through a lot to become the person you are today. If they see that as a negative, then it's their loss.</p>
<p>If it was an alumni interview it doesn't count for much anyway, so relax.</p>
<p>I don't know, actually. The interviewer's facial expression was impassive. I did apologize, and she said it was all right. I'm just worried that it might've made me look traumatized and insecure.</p>
<p>I agree with coffeeaddict. I seriously doubt that if you don't get accepted it will be because of this, and if it is, would you really want to go there anyway?</p>
<p>Alumni interviews don't count for squat.</p>
<p>Everyone is human!</p>
<p>Why is everyone saying that alumni interviews don't count for anything? Don't some schools stress them a lot?</p>
<p>And does anyone have PROOF that they don't count for anything?</p>
<p>Tadpole doesn't know what he's talking about. To answer your first two questions, neethus, some schools put tremendous emphasis on alumni interviews- ie: The hotel management college at Cornell. Though most colleges barely consider them- if at all- a great interview can only help the applicant, especially if he or she is on the verge of being rejected. With that said, definitely take every interview as seriously as you would take an interview for a dream job.</p>
<p>Alumna are required to give a report on the student after an interview, a report which the adcoms will read as they decide your fate.</p>
<p>Yes, thank you, Zen. That's exactly what I thought.</p>
<p>Schools that really care about character qualities emphasize interviews.</p>
<p>hmm I think it depends. if they realized how badly you felt, they wouldn't have said anything. since you didn't cry out of a stupid reason, it doesn't matter. the interviewer knows. and plus, the interview won't really affect ur overall app.</p>
<p>i dont think u hurt ur chances... then again it really depends on ur interviewer...</p>
<p>I don't want to hijack this thread, but it seems like a good time to say that some colleges go so far as to say that NOT having an interview will actually HURT your chances....one that immediately comes to mind is Bates.</p>
<p>And most of those interviews are conducted by alumni. Anybody who says interviews don't mean squat just doesn't know what s/he is talking about. Period.</p>
<p>Back to the OP, I would agree with others who say if you got yourself together in a relatively short amount of time (as opposed to sobbing for 30 minutes), I would say it's a good display of your honesty and passion. Have no fear.</p>
<p>Do interviews matter? </p>
<p>An oft-repeated phrase here on CC:</p>
<p>IT DEPENDS ON THE COLLEGE</p>
<p>^ Yeah, seriously. AP Lang anyone? Overgeneralizations are BAD.</p>
<p>Thank you.</p>