<p>siri4fun,</p>
<p>As Rodney noted, Emory began a pilot of an Alumni Interview program last year, a partnership between the Emory Alumni Association and the Emory Office of Admission. This program was limited to the Chicago area last fall; however it has been expanded a bit more this year.</p>
<p>In California, I know that the San Francisco Alumni chapter has been included this year as the Alumni Interviewing Program pilot continues. Alumni volunteers were solicited and orientation to participate was held in early October, e.g., training on how to interview. The San Francisco Chapter was chosen because of the many hundreds of Emory alumni resident in the area. I'm uncertain as to how many alumni have shown interest, although I find that those Emory alumni I have met here in the Bay Area are highly enthused and represent Emory University well. </p>
<p>In my opinion, although this is an "optional" interview that is being made available to you as an applicant for admission, I see it as a good opportunity for you. Presumably, as an ED applicant, you have already visited the campus and thoroughly researched Emory to arrive at your decision to apply ED. If you decide NOT to interview, I would think it would not make the difference in your admission decision, so don't fret about this possibility.</p>
<p>This interview opportunity is a 2-way street. It gives you a chance to meet with an alumus (many of those most actively involved with the Emory Alumni Association tend to be in their late 20's and 30's; and therefore are not beyond the age in which they can identify with somebody who is a senior in H.S.). It presents the opportunity to ask questions of somebody who has been through 4 years at Emory and can speak candidly about his/her experience now that they have graduated and moved on to develop their professional lives. These alumni can talk, from their own subjective perspectives, about what they liked/disliked; how to succeed at Emory; and how to make adjustments to college life. It's your opportunity to ask questions, drill down on issues you've thought about, and further demonstrate your interest in attending Emory.</p>
<p>Conversely, although I believe it is the intent of these Alumni Interviewers to help you and to also provide a hopefully favorable impression of their time with you, there is the distinct possibility that you might convey a less than enthusiastic attitude about the prospects of attending Emory. The job of the interviewers is to look for how they can reach out and possibly advocate for the highest quality students they interview. If you exude interest in Emory as well as intelligence, that will be the impression left, and that will be in the notes conveyed back to the Office of Admission. It goes without saying (except that I will say it anyway) that an indifferent, disinterested interview may also be perceived as blithe disinterest in Emory, so THAT is what you want to avoid in the interview.</p>
<p>This Alumni Interviewing Program serves the Emory Alumni by keeping them active and engaged within the Emory community. It also helps prospective students to get candid, up-close-and-personal feedback and responses to your individual questions. Good luck to you!</p>