Do I allow my daughter to go to the home of Ivy alumnus to be interviewed?

Parents Forum
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<p>This thread has devolved into the most ridiculous thread I have yet seen in this forum, and I read the college life forum-- not exactly a mecca of maturity. Several of you, and not just the ones I disagree with, should be ashamed of yourselves. You are acting like catty little children and I have lost all respect for you, and for what, a hypothetical interview? Not that you care what I think about you, but while we’re all b*tching about each other I thought I’d throw in my two cents. I would have thought that those of you who post here regularly would be a little more concerned about not gaining a reputation for being an absolute savage, but I guess not.</p>

<p>I guess some people never grow out of having to step on others to feel good about themselves.</p>

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<p>I had a couple interviews back when I was applying to college at the interviewers home. Never thought twice about it, actually sort of preferred it.</p>

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<p>My kids never had a curfew, but they couldn’t say they would be home when they’ll be home. They usually came home whenever an event was over. D1 has gone to few co-ed sleep overs. We never did it, but I would trust D1 over anyone else to take care of the house and her sister than anyone else. As a matter of fact, since D1 turned 18 we have her as the legal guardian of her sister if anything should ever happen to us.</p>

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<p>I’ve read all 423 posts and haven’t yet heard of anyone else who had the alumnus come to the student’s home for the interview, but that’s what happened to my son a couple of years ago. It was an interview for a LAC in Ohio and we live in south Florida, so I don’t imagine there were too many alumni of that particular college in this area. The interviewer was going to have a business meeting one Saturday in our city so he asked if S would mind if he came over to our home to do the interview after the meeting. It was very convenient for us since I didn’t have to drive my son someplace, and he felt more comfortable on his own turf. </p>

<p>If neither my husband nor I were going to be home, though, he wouldn’t have agreed to it. In fact, I doubt that the interviewer would have, either. He probably would have asked S to meet him at Starbuck’s.</p>

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<p>Ohh… interesting wrinkle patsmom. To heck with the kid… if the interviewer said, can I come over to your house, I would have been a basket case. :)</p>

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<p>Normally I wouldn’t remember this, but this thread brings it all back. My high school friend and I went to several interviews with each other. That is, for her Smith interview I tagged along to the person’s HOUSE (excuse was we were getting picked up together for orchestra practice). She would introduce me as “her classmate who would be going to (insert name of impressive school)”. We thought the interviewee would appear smart to have such distinguished friends! Similarly, I would drag Carolyn and her violin along with me. We did pretty well! We were never nervous, but that was back in the day…
I’m not sure my kids had interviews. They were in boarding school, which made it pretty difficult. I appreciate adults who interview for their colleges, but I always had the impression that unless a kid was noticeably lacking in some major area, the interviews didn’t carry much weight in the admission process. I could be wrong.</p>

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<p>True! There’s also much more danger just driving across town to get to the interviewer’s house.</p>

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<p>I have no doubt that all interviewers who volunteer their time and money sincerely want to help their schools and perhaps also assist and advocate for applicants they deem deserving. However, as several posters have pointed out that the power relationship between the interviewer and applicants are not equal. Based on posts of some interviewers on this thread, they take their job and authority very seriously. A simple request of a change of venue would be viewed as a personal affront as well as a strong character flaw on the part of the applicant, which is clearly stated or strongly implied multiple times in this thread.</p>

<p>My question, which has been implicitly raised by [another</a> poster](<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/1064011327-post354.html]another”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/1064011327-post354.html), is this: Is this laborious, highly subjective, and uncalibrated interview process really necessary for college admission? As pointed out by [a</a> different poster](<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/1064010956-post326.html]a”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/1064010956-post326.html), the interviews were initially set up at HYP to filter out the most undesirable applicants, JEWs. Nowadays, do HYP really admit a better class of students than Stanford because of the interviews? Does MIT get different types of students compared to Caltech (other than racial composition, which can be accomplished by other means)?</p>

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<p>S was interviewed by a Harvard alum He did not think the interview was very significant or very stressful (except for his having to race from his class to the interviewer’s office). He did not visit Stanford or get interviewed by a Stanford alum but still got in (and was courted by adcom).</p>

<p>One friend who used to interview for Harvard told of two applicants. One was full of confidence and came across as rather arrogant. Friend reported so in his report. Applicant did not get in.
Another was a girl so nervous she burst into tears after the first question, which pretty much ended the interview. Friend reported that adcom should make a decision based on her dossier since he could not evaluate her. She got in.</p>

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<p>I’ve read most posts on this thread, but not all. I tried to refrain from being sucked in but can’t do it as I find some notions in this thread to be amazing. </p>

<p>I’ll post from both the perspective of being an alum interviewer for over a dozen years for a very selective university and as a parent of two girls who are now college graduates, one whom did several alum interviews (in fact, her Brown interviewer is on this thread, whom we did not know beforehand, and the interview was in her home). I shouldn’t get involved now on this thread because in all honesty, I need to spend what will be at least 90 minutes tonight writing up an interview of a student from two days ago at my home that was two hours long in fact. And I’m putting aside tasks I need to do for my real job tonight, in order to VOLUNTEER to write this interview report. </p>

<p>As an interviewer, I have done most of my interviews at my home. I live in a rural area and am assigned applicants to interview that come from approx. a 50 mile radius from me. I have NEVER EVER thought twice about conducting interviews at my home (nor ever would imagine a student/parent would question it), nor have I ever had ANY qualms about my daughters attending interviews at alum houses in the region (never would have entered my mind). I can think of just one cafe in my town where I could meet a student but it closes at 5:30 PM. It also would involve even more time for me to have to go there. The students are coming from towns other than mine. </p>

<p>Several years ago, I did do some interviews in a cafe 25 miles from my home because at the time, my own kids were in high school and every afternoon and evening, I was shlepping to their activities at the same time that my interviewees have time to do an interview. So, what I often did was suggest that they meet me in the small city where I was hanging out waiting for my kid at their activity (my kids’ activities were far away due to the rural area and so I had to drive them and wait in that city during the activity) and we did meet in a cafe (usually while one or both of my kids were in a dance class down the street). This meant that the student, as well as myself, traveled a distance to meet in this city. It worked for all. Also, had they come to my home (which I was rarely in after school or early evening), it might mean others were about in the home and not as private for them for the interview. But I didn’t really like the ones in the cafe nearly as much as at home. There were distractions and also the feeling that others were listening in. I only agreed to it as it was convenient in terms of my traveling to that city anyway, but otherwise, I would not like to add even more time for each interview. Having students come to my home works out so that I am just putting aside the time for the actual interview (not travel on top of it) and all the time I put into the narrative report. </p>

<p>I don’t know if this is a product of where I live, but I just cannot imagine anyone hesitating to let their kid come to my house (except if the roads are icy, in which case I suggest they reschedule so as not to make their parents nervous or not to take unnecessary risks). </p>

<p>Now, I am a parent. I am even the type that worries and gets nervous about situations with the kids. But never would I worry about a college interview in an alum’s home. I think the risk has to be very close to zero; extremely low. My kids take bigger risks all the time. I just don’t think there is any risk in this situation we’re talking about here. This situation is one of many where kids will meet with strangers. But the interview is not a random sort of thing. I worry about my kids but not in this situation at all. Your kids are going to be in much riskier situations at college. The alum interview has to be the least risky thing, in my opinion. </p>

<p>As an interviewer, I am just very taken back by some things I have read here. Alum interviewers are narcissists? Come again??? The students are doing US a favor??? Hello??? As an alum, I am VOLUNTEERING my time to help the student have a chance to sell themselves in person and to do what I can to write that up to add to their admissions file. I’m also helping the college as they can’t provide on campus interviews for the quantity of applicants they have each year. I feel I am giving of my time to the college, while at the same time, helping young people in my region who are applying to college. I have nothing personally to gain. I am the one doing the “favor” by volunteering my time and good will. I consider it a form of community service. </p>

<p>I am shocked to read that a poster thinks that seniors are too busy to have to do these interviews. Wow. Maybe they are too busy to have to put lots of effort into their college applications too? I mean the interview is an opportunity for them to show a personal side of themselves to a representative of the college. My kids were eager to do these. And they led extremely busy lives. But this was a chance to show themselves and they seized it and made time for it (which in this area meant travel to do the interviews). The interview should not be seen as a burden for the student, but rather as an OPPORTUNITY!! </p>

<p>Then, while not really the topic of this thread, I also read that some think the interviews are superfluous and hold no water. While the interview is not the most significant factor in this process, I KNOW my alma mater uses these interview reports and values them as another piece that shows the personal side of the applicant. In a very competitive process, where most applicants have the stats to be admitted, it is these other things that help to tell applicants apart. In fact, I just got an email from admissions saying that while the deadline to submit the interview reports is not until March 1, that the earlier a report is submitted, the more useful it is in the early stages of evaluating a candidate. For this reason they request that reports are submitted within three weeks of the assignment date. So, they want to consider this piece in the earlier reading of the candidate’s file. These interviews ARE considered. They may support what else is in the application and recs, or even add something new (good or bad). </p>

<p>I just find this whole discussion and concern to be well beyond my imagination, and that is coming from a parent who worries about my kids but would not worry at all about THIS. </p>

<p>(as an aside, I just want to say to the OP that I am extremely sorry for your loss and can appreciate how that affects your concern in other matters that come up)</p>

<p>None of us wishes to put our kids in harm’s way and we ALL share that here. But I sincerely can’t imagine any risk in having my kid interviewed by an alum at a home. Unfortunately my kids are in greater risk every day in other things that they do now away from home. College interviews was the one thing I didn’t have to worry about (there’s plenty of other stuff to worry about though). As an interviewer myself, I am taken back by this worry about the interviewers and also some things said about the interviewers and interviews. Try being a volunteer and having people say this about your volunteer work. It really feels like a bit much in such a context. In any case, if you don’t like what the interviewer is OFFERING you, don’t take up the offer.</p>

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<p>Amen, SoozieVT.</p>

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<p>MIT is much less stats driven than Caltech. MIT will routinely turn away higher scoring students on paper for more creative candidates with the right “fit”. Over the years, the school has developed a finely tuned system to screen its applicants. It does not use the Common App and places significant value on the personality of the applicant. The interview plays a major role in that evaluation process. </p>

<p>The Institute will try to interview every applicant whether US or international. Although the interview is not mandatory hardly anybody is admitted without one. Potential applicants are even encouraged to interview before they complete the online application. The topics covered in the interview address areas complementary to those covered in the online application. The personality of the applicant, his ability to work collaboratively, his resilience in the face of adversity, his enthusiasm and drive, his creativity, his passion for science and technology, his interests outside of academics. The interview therefore serves to measure candidates along a number of objective criteria which assist admission in evaluating the fit between the student and the university. </p>

<p>The interview process is far from random and is serious business. Educational Counselors as they are called, receive specific training once or twice a year at various events at MIT, as well as informational packets every year with detailed instructions on how to conduct the interview. They are generally appointed for two year renewable terms. Many also perform outreach at the local high schools, meeting with interested students in the guidance office to present what MIT may be looking for in candidates and answering questions. The performance of the ECs is evaluated by admissions and each report submitted is graded. Those with poor or unhelpful reports are dropped. </p>

<p>I personally interview candidates at one of the local Starbucks although I don’t think the conditions are optimal. The noise level is high, and the candidates I interview are sometimes distracted or embarrassed when one of their classmates walks by or sometimes tries to listen in on the conversation. I would definitely have considered holding the interviews at my house except for the fact that I have a high school senior still living at home. It would create unnecessary tension for the candidates to be interviewed in the house of one of their classmates especially if she was in the house at the time. </p>

<p>Next year with both my daughters in college, I will probably hold the interviews at my house where I conduct much of my business. My wife would generally be there anyway and probably greet the candidates at the door and put them at ease. I can’t conceive anybody would have an issue with such a setup.</p>

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<p>Thank you Soozievt.</p>

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<p>A third thank you, sooze.</p>

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<p>It’s nuts for anyone (especially an older male) to invite a young person into their home alone for an interview. It puts both at unimaginable risk. As has been pointed out, predators know no profile. They go to Ivy Leagues, etc. And for those that suggest these interviewers are vetted, I argue that schools are so desperate for volunteers that they’ll take any alum. Even if they do a quick resume check, don’t believe for a moment they’re running a complete background investigation on every would-be interviewer. If you want to talk about preparing your young daughter for college, as some have suggested, you should teach her never to be alone with a strange man in his home/apt/dorm room, unless she is certain she can trust him. 1 in 4 college women get raped these days, and it’s irresponsible parenting to teach otherwise. My thought? Give a quick call to the college and explain your situation. Is the interviewer a rapist? Probably not. Is getting this specific interview in these circumstances worth Princeton, Harvard, Yale? No. In no way is allowing an unsupervised, underage girl to go to an unknown adult man’s home acceptable parenting.</p>

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<p>I am highlighting this just to remind posters such as mummom that arrogance and disrespect are not limited to people who disagree with her.</p>

<p>calgirl77, you are certainly entitled to your opinion, but there are an awful lot of thoughtful parents who have posted in this thread who disagree with you. Strongly.</p>

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<p>Not a parent, but pretty sure I’d feel uncomfortable having my daughter go to an unknown person’s house–a person who happens to have great power over her future (or at least so the perception goes.) I’d have her call the school and see if it was possible to find an interviewer who is willing to meet in a public place.</p>

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<p>Likewise, the alum (probably a successful person, coming from an Ivy) is putting himself in danger by setting up the interview at his house. If a candidate does not get in because she (or even he) feels the interviewer did not like him, she can falsely allege sexual harassment, or worse. Even if the accusations amount to nothing, they still bear a significant cost for the falsely accused. How an adult male can thinking inviting a high school girl he does not know to his home is a good idea is beyond me.</p>

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<p>To OP–</p>

<p>Hopefully out of these hundreds of posts there has been some information that is helpful to your real world question concerning any attempt to change the in-home interview. There appears to be an actual basis for the expressed concern that questioning an in-home interview might be taken negatively. Some CC posters who say they are or have been an Ivy alum interviewer admit that they would be insulted by the implied concern that they would harm your daughter if she was in their home.</p>

<p>That appears to clarify your daughter’s options. Go to the in-home interview with its perceived risks, speak up with a request for a change with its perceived risks or don’t go to the interview with its perceived risks.</p>

<p>I want to repeat that I find your willingness to let your daughter make this decision with you only having input speaks highly of you.</p>

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<p>“Is no way allowing an unsupervised, underage girl to go to an unknown adults man’s home acceptable parenting.”</p>

<p>I’m pretty sure this is the first time this sentiment has been expressed on this entire thread. If it was expressed by anyone else, I missed it.</p>