I got a call from a Duke alum 2 weeks ago to schedule an interview. He suggested that Saturday, but unfortunately, I was unavailable the whole day. I suggested a few other days and he said he had to check his schedule and would call me back. I am not sure if he called me again and I just missed it, but we never ended up speaking again… Does this make me look bad? What do I do?
Just out of curiosity: did you sign up or request for the interview or did he just contact you?
Also, your situation seems
Yes, contact him again immediately. It’s good to be proactive. It’s certainly possible that he’s busy and has connecting with you on his “to do” list, but better to not risk it and there’s no downside to reaching out yourself.
@freshlemon123 You were supposed to apply by December 20th if you wanted an interview and I applied on January 3 (which was their regular application deadline) so I wasn’t even supposed to get an interview. He contacted me about two weeks after I submitted my app.
I’m an alumni interviewer. I don’t take it personally when the dates don’t work out. Just means that he probably has no other free time.
You have a few options:
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change your schedule
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Ask if he can send you back to be reassigned to someone else.
Evaluations are due in 2 weeks so hurry.
"I applied on January 3 (which was their regular application deadline) so I wasn’t even supposed to get an interview. "
No…that’s not how it works. Duke tries to interview everybody regardless of when an application was submitted, but merely give priority to those who applied by the stated date. If there are enough alumni in your area, then they try to reach out to as many applicants as possible (and it has no bearing on how your application is being viewed if you get assigned an interview – doesn’t mean you have or have not done well on “a first pass”).
Good luck!
Having interviewed students for nearly 10 years, I have some basic etiquette advice:
- If you list a phone number in your application, ensure this is a number that you check every day. If (like at my home) you NEVER check the house line, do not list it.
- The same goes for email - check your email every day. Adults communicate via email. And, we communicate efficiently by email. Keep responses on a 24-48 hour response window, and ALWAYS use proper grammar, spelling, and letter format.
- Realize that the interviewers contacting you are not only volunteers but are busy people. The interviewers in my region are primarily physicians, lawyers, and a few of us are consultants or business owners. Many regularly work 80+ hour weeks. Some interviewers ask when you are available and find a time from there - respond quickly and candidly. Some offer you a specific time, like an employer would for a job interview. Those of us who use the specific time method are often much more limited in our free time. Do not as for a different time. It simply does not exist. Make it work. Do not assume that you are the only applicant we are trying to schedule (regional chairs likely speak with 25+ applicants a season, in particular). Do not assume that we are available “after school”. Be flexible and realize that you’re the applicant here. If you wouldn’t do it for a job interview, don’t do it here (and if you aren’t sure - ask your guidance counselor what to do.)
- Interviews run from 12/15-2/15 on average: don’t worry if you haven’t been contacted on January 5. But, feel free to reach out to our ALUMNI OFFICE or the ADMISSIONS OFFICE. Do not call an interviewer you know, or track down your friend’s interviewer. They simply don’t know.
- We get that not ever kid is effusive and outgoing, but please - be personable, be conversational. If interviewing is not your thing, best to submit a 4th recommendation.
- Ask questions. “What’s your favorite Duke experience” is fine, but be specific in other questions. Go beyond the surface. We know what’s on the website, and if you’re asking about that, we can see your underprepared.
- If your parents MADE you apply, and you are going to “throw” the interview, decline it. Please don’t waste our time - we do our best to not waste yours.
- Always send a follow up thank you. Not that it’s necessary, but you should be doing this for your references, your future employers, etc. Get into the habit now.
Lastly, remember that the interview is one piece of a giant puzzle.
He contacted you 2 weeks ago and “I am not sure if he called me again and I just missed it.” Sorry, but not so great.Most teens know exactly who’s looking for them.
Some interviewers can reschedule if the first date doesn’t work. Or handle the interview via phone or Skype. You may have now moved to the bottom of this one’s priority list.