<p>An Alumni of Brown just contacted me for an Interview. I know that an interview will only break me (please…despite what you guys say about it being chill and all, a chance to express myself, etc. I absolutely KNOW that I will not function well). It seems that Brown contacts everyone but says the interviews are “optional” (?) so how would I go about declining an interview? All help appreciated. Thanks.</p>
<p>I think it would raise a red flag to refuse an interview. Can you get your guidance counselor, teacher, parent or other adult to help you through this? Maybe role play and practice the interview?</p>
<p>I had it declined once. No idea what impact it had. They just said they didn’t want to interview, there’s a place for me to say that I did contact them but they declined and that was it.</p>
<p>I think it’s a mistake to decline, personally. It’s really not a big deal and has little, if any impact. If you were getting in before the interview, in all likelihood, they won’t even look at what we have to say.</p>
<p>To get a job, you need to have face-to-face interviews. You cannot turn down an interview when you apply for a job. You really need to learn how to function in an interview if you want a job in the future. </p>
<p>So, turn down this interview if you want. It may not affect your admissions outcome (although I have to wonder what your teacher recommendations are like). But start working NOW on your interview skills</p>
<p>I think it’s a mistake to decline as well. Interviews are almost mandatory for many grad and professional school programs, as well as professional positions and jobs. And what would you do if someday you have to sit down with a no-nonsense journalist on TV? Heck even many of the ‘leadership positions’ for extracurriculars at Brown or other peer schools will involve multiple interviews. You do yourself no favors by avoiding practice at interpersonal communication with a stranger. Frankly, the college interview is probably the most relaxed of any interview you will have in life.</p>
<p>I agree with the other posters that you should do the interview. I know it sounds scary, but it’s really not that bad. Of the three college interviews I’ve had so far, the Brown one was by far the most relaxed and easy. I’m not sure if this was as a result of Brown’s directives, the interviewer’s personal style, or just that my interviewer and I “clicked” in a way I didn’t with the others, but I found it a lot easier than the others.</p>
<p>I think it will look bad to Brown if you turn down an interview. An interview report might not convey that you’re uncomfortable in social situations, but an interview will raise that possibility. It will also look like you don’t care about the school. Interviews really can’t hurt you that much, unless you do something really stupid, like say you hate the school, you’ve never heard of the open curriculum, or you say something seriously rude and offensive. Interviewers are probably used to seeing students who are shy or nervous and won’t mind.</p>
<p>The interview serves two purposes – one is for the student-applicant to ask questions about Brown and the second is for the student to communicate any messages for the alumni/interviewer to convey to the admissions office about any aspect of the student’s application, academic interests, extracurricular activites, awards, and specific interest in Brown, etc. If a studnet declines an interview, the alumni notes that on the form and it is returned to the admissions office. I can’t see any upside in declining an interview, particularly since Brown seeks to contact 100% of its applicants in many parts of the country and world.</p>
<p>Don’t stress the interview!
I had a GREAT time with the interview. Just conversed about books, movies, and stuff haha</p>
<p>Hey guys, “alumni” is the plural of “alumnus.” How many of them are interviewing you? Say “alum” for short if you are not sure about Latin endings!</p>
<p>It could sometimes be more than one alum (esp in NYC for Harvard; not sure about other schools), but JRZMom is correct! One should never say or write “an/one alumni”!</p>
<p>Haha. My student (who was quite a Latin scholar) keeps correcting me on that. I had a student turn down the interview recently, after first contact saying yes. It was strange. I wrote all the details and impressions from the contacts on my contact form. (and Brown will read that.) Can’t think it helped the student.</p>
<p>S1 interviewed with Harvard, Columbia and Brown. Brown was the best interview by far. Not very formal, took place in a coffee house in NYC, and when he didn’t get accepted, the interviewer actually emailed him. Said he’d written him a great review and to contact him if he could be of any help in the future. </p>
<p>S2 is an introvert and uncomfortable one on one with strangers. I made him interview with a local college last week. He doesn’t plan to go there and so, there was no pressure. At least he got some experience. I was more nervous than he was, knowing how he is, but he pulled it off :)</p>
<p>
And if you realllly want to get technical, it’s alumna for a female grad and alumnae (pronounced same as alumni) if both of the grads who are interviewing you are women.
Too many years of latin, sorry.</p>
<p>Fwiw, we’re told not to contact the applicants who don’t get in</p>
<p>In a few short years of interviewing, I’ve had a student turn down the interview and another never respond, and there’s another one this season who seems to not be responding. I find it remarkable. I always provide an account of my attempts to get in contact, etc. I don’t think it reflects well on the applicants.</p>
<p>As for students who are denied admission, I have occasionally contact them where we had kept an ongoing dialogue and I thought they might want to find out if I have any info on schools. In general, I’m close enough to college still so that I think I can genuinely help people make what is a very hard decision, so I might as well offer. I once had a denied student’s parent contact me asking for help.</p>
<p>To sum up what the rest of the posters have been saying: your Brown interview will not break you, but turning down an interview might.</p>
<p>Just go for it. You’ll be fine, I promise. If you’re worried, watch this TED talk (all of it! The end is the best part):
[Amy</a> Cuddy: Your body language shapes who you are | Video on TED.com](<a href=“http://www.ted.com/talks/amy_cuddy_your_body_language_shapes_who_you_are.html]Amy”>http://www.ted.com/talks/amy_cuddy_your_body_language_shapes_who_you_are.html)</p>
<p>Don’t miss your interview - a red flag! Instead, take a one-page resume listing your achievements. That will make you less nervous because the interviewer will probably ask you about one of your activities. Also be prepared to answer “What is the last book you read?” (classic Q) and “What is your favorite website?” (trending Q of the moment).</p>
<p>If you feel like you are going to blow a simple interview, maybe you should look at a less academically demanding school? A definite red flag if you turn it down.</p>
<p>Personally I was surprised that it said not to, but figured I would throw that out there so that people (especially say, ED people) don’t think that it’s a bad sign if their interviewer doesn’t contact them after the fact.</p>
<p>Spend a little time researching Brown, its history…its personality. It’s a google search away. Get a good night’s sleep and the interview will go fine. Why would anyone do years of academic work to be within reach of an Ivy League school and jeopardize it all because they’re nervous about the interview?</p>