I have an interview coming in 2 days. Long story short, I registered because I thought this was the last day available for an interview (it isn’t), and I don’t feel prepared. I want to cancel, but does the college frown upon this because they think you’re panicking/unconfident about the interview? Or are they annoyed because you reserved a slot of time that could have been given to someone else? Will cancelling affect my chances of admission?
Probably. Would you cancel a job interview and then expect to be hired? If you are confident you want to go to the school why do you need further preparation? It makes you look wishy washy. Another prospective student could have used that time slot. My son was on stand by for an interview at one school.
“I don’t feel prepared”= I didn’t do the necessary preparations.
So, yes, it’d look very bad.
If you reschedule, it won’t look bad. Happens all the time. The person doing the rescheduling (if it is a school where you call for interviews) is likely a receptionist/admin type person who does not have any input into admissions decisions. Or if you change the date online, it probably won’t even show up on your file
@underscoreone, I agree with with all the posters above! @wisteria100 is correct that it won’t matter if you can cancel online, and if you have a good reason for re-scheduling. On the other hand, it is is rude to cancel at the last minute. There is no such thing as “feeling prepared,” unless you really know nothing about the college. You still have time to research the school, prospective majors, clubs/activities that interest you. My student had to re-schedule an interview due to a death in the family, and had several e-mail exchanges with AOs at the school who who very kind and helpful.
If this is your very first interview and it is scheduled at a school you really care about, make sure you tell the person who interviews you how much the school means to you, why you want to attend, what you bring to the school, and what you still don’t know about it that you’d really appreciate learning in the interview. Usually the interview is conducted by a junior or senior at the school, so you shouldn’t be too nervous about talking to a peer. Best of luck!
Just relax. Try to look at the interview as just a conversation. The interviewer will just want to get to know you a little bit. They’ll want to know why you are interested in the school and what you hope to contribute to the community. They will not be out to get you or trick you. If you get a difficult question, and you might, just answer it honestly with poise and confidence. That’s much more important than the actual answer. Just remember to be positive in all answers. If you think about it, you probably enjoy people who have a positive attitude and make positive comments and don’t focus on the negative, or blame others. The interviewer will be the same.
Also, it helps to go with a couple of questions that are not readily answerable on the school website. What do most students actually do on weekend night? Do they actually take the school-run bus service into town or stay on campus? What impresses you (the interviewer) most about the school? Where do you think it might do better? I think you can often get a more honest, helpful answer if you personalize the question. If it’s a student or alum, ask them their most transformative or memorable experience at the school? Have them tell you about their most difficult challenge at the school and how the community (professors, friends, etc.) helped them through it? Or, really, whatever question about studying and living at that school is lurking in your own mind.
Thank them in person and follow up email. Good luck!
Well, my parents pressured me to go today, and I ended up being pretty nervous and talking a little too much about myself. Oh well. The questioning part didn’t go too bad, I guess-- I managed to get a lot of useful info out of the admissions officer.
@TTG Thanks for the advice. I really wish I had asked some more personal questions to the interviewer…
Good for you for going! Congratulations 
I do alumni interviews and you are fine! The only thing I would say to be prepared to answer is “what drew you to our school”…and if you are in a bind, just look at their mission statement and use info from that. But usually if you say “you seem to really value undergraduates” or something like that you are fine.
It is okay to be nervous and talk alot…that is part of the point. We understand that you may be nervous! Fret not.
Also always understand if the interview is informational or evaluative…are they just trying to sell you on the school? or are is it part of your evaluation?