hey guys! I have my Duke Alumni Interview tomorrow and I have no clue what to wear. I read that you do not have to be too formal but not too casual. If it helps, it is at a Dunkin Donuts?
Also any advice on the interview itself? Please help!
Business casual. Slacks and button down shirt for guy, blouse and/or skirt or dress for female is fine.
The interview is pretty casual. Make sure you have questions for your interviewer and try to show your enthusiasm for your ECs, classes and why Duke would be a great fit.
Good luck!
You don’t need to wear a suit and tie. Just wear something modest and respectful. I’ve had an interviewee showing up in torn shirt and in shorts and flip flops. He apparently thought that he was a highly prized URM that no Ivy League would reject. No need to mention the result.
The most important advice I can give you is to be able to articulate your response to the question, “why Duke?” Even if the interviewer doesn’t ask this question, you should be able to articulate why you think Duke is the right university for you and no other. After all, Duke is Duke and nothing like any other schools. So what’s about Duke for you and no other colleges? If you can articulate that (likewise with any other colleges you’re interviewing for), then your interview would be a success.
The next most important advice I can give you is to be sure to have questions for the interviewer. When the interviewer asks the last question, “do you have any questions for me or about Duke?” there’s nothing worse than saying “no.” Use that question as an opportunity to convey why Duke is so important as the place to shape the next chapter in your life.
Thanks for the insight my S will be interviewing soon. Should he bring a resume, or copies of his essays?
Only if the interviewer requests for any of them.
I guess he could ask the interviewer in an email? The interviewer did not request anything. However, my friend who interviews for Cornell said he should bring one… I am assuming you are an alumni interviewer? Thanks so much!
He could ask the interviewer. It depends on the college as well as each interviewer. Some colleges might have interview protocols that might prevent their interviewers to request anything from the interviewee. Even if there are no such protocols, some interviewers might not like to see anything. I, on the other hand, like to see at least the resume so I can ask the applicant questions relating to the info contained in it.
It’s been two years since my DS2 had an interview with Duke, and I don’t think he was asked to bring anything and my son didn’t take anything to the interview.
My daughter brought a copy of her resume to all of her alumni interviews (she did 4 or 5). Most found it helpful. Can’t say specifically for Duke - as there wasn’t an alum in our area for an interview.
D20 took her resume to her Duke alum interview (a few weeks ago) and he did not want it. I hope it went well for you!
Can’t hurt to bring a resume as talking points but D20s Duke interviewer told her that she could not take any documents from D.
My S’s interviewer was awful. I wish he could have had @TiggerDad! He has had several other interviews, a few that have run long and most very satisfying, but his luck ran out with Duke. As just one example, when S asked interviewer how she chose Duke herself, she would only say “My whole family has gone to Duke, we are from NC, it was an easy choice. I wish I still lived there.” Well ok then. Just a lot of awkward and different responses like that. She also made a huge deal at the beginning saying “No pressure but this is your official Duke interview” and “This isn’t about whether you can get in, this is to ascertain your fit for Duke.” ? On the plus side my older child ended up at the school she had the worst interview with so who knows.
That’s right. In most cases, these alumni interviews hardly impact the AdCom decision. Whether the applicant’s admitted or not will not be determined by the interview performance by itself.
For the record, Duke does NOT expect its applicants to bring anything to the interview. Duke interviewers are told to not ask for resumes, essays, etc. So I’d recommend not bringing those.
I’ll echo all the other comments though. Slacks and a button down (“nice” jeans can be okay and I personally don’t judge, but I’d be safe and wear slacks) or blouse/skirt, be prepared to ask questions, show your enthusiasm for Duke, and be able to describe your past experiences and what you’d contribute to the Duke community.