<p>An alumni from Cornell emailed me this morning and offered to conduct an informal interview. This has been the first college that has offered to interview me and being a noob in the interview process, I have several unanswered questions.</p>
<p>My first question: In general, why do colleges call up their alumni to interview prospective students (since interviews are supposedly not directly beneficial to being accepted. Correct me if I'm wrong.)? I know that adcoms want to see your true interest in their alma mater, but how are interviews exactly used? Is it a sign that the colleges are interested in you specifically and want to know more about you before they accept or defer or reject?</p>
<p>Which leads to my second question: Since I was asked to do an alumni interview, what does this exactly mean? Am I one step closer to becoming admitted? I'm sure there are those who didn't interview and still got in and those who did interview and were rejected. Overall, I'd like to what exactly this interview means.</p>
<p>And finally: For those whom have successfully done interviews with colleges, what are your suggestions for interviews, in general? </p>
<p>I know that I'm asking a lot, but I have many unanswered questions about the interview process and would greatly appreciate any assistance from those with knowledge and experience in this matter.</p>
<p>Cornell tries to conduct alumni interviews with all applicants that live within a decent distance of an alumn, which to answer one of your questions- it does not mean you are one step closer, or that you were exclusively selected for an interview. My Cornell interview was VERY informal, probably the most of them all. She asked basic questions about what got me interested in what I wanted to major in and questions sparked off from there. She was the ONLY interviewer not to ask about EC's or anything school related. But literally the other half, I was asking her questions. They want to see YOU, your interests and learn about the campus-cliche but sooo true. Im sure yours will be similar and relaxing. Good luck!</p>
<p>Ok, thanks a lot! Any other input? My brilliant friend (35 ACT, 4.0 GPA, class ranked 1) hasn't gotten an interview and I'm sure that he is more qualified than I to attend Cornell. Any ideas?</p>
<p>^
sorry to get your hopes up, but getting contacted for an interview is NOT an indication of the colleges' interest in you. In time, your friend will be contacted as well. It's a randomized process, and if there is an alumni in the area, chances are you'll be contacted. </p>
<p>Also, most of these interviews are informational rather than evaluative, so I would imagine that while a "bad" interview can't hurt you, a "good" interview can't get you in.</p>
<p>Thank you for your clarification, unefille. I was not getting my hopes up, merely speculating about the purpose of interviews. Anyways, I appreciate your feedback.</p>
<p>Informal alumni interviews are used for colleges to see you in person and provide information about the college. The only say the interview can HURT your chances is if you are a huge jackass. However, an interview can't really help your chances THAT much either. Just make sure you think and prepare some question that you want to have answered from someone that actually went to the college.</p>