<p>I just got contacted about doing the interview for Harvard College, and what I noticed that was different about this e-mail (as compared to other college interview e-mails) is that my interviewer requested a resume, test scores, transcript, and a writing sample. Is this common? None of the other interviewers for other schools ever requested I bring this, so I thought it was strange. I'm not like upset about it or anything, just curious. </p>
<p>Should I be preparing for something because of this??? Thanks!</p>
<p>Post this in the Harvard forum–there are alumni interviewers in there. I think it is ridiculous and overstepping. I would contact the admissions office and sweetly ask if this is SOP, maybe they will rein that alum in.</p>
<p>This is actually not out of the character for Harvard, I think. I was asked on mine for a full copy of my CommonApp (including essays), and this was the only school for which additional materials were requested.</p>
<p>I (will for Brown+Cornell) have done interviews for Dartmouth, Yale, Columbia, Brown and Cornell. None of them asked for any of this. I don’t know about Harvard, but I think these interviews are pretty standard fare.</p>
<p>The resume I get…but the graded paper, transcript and scores…all that the ad com already has.
Maybe s/he wants to be prepared to stress certain things in his report…but I would think repeating scores and GPA would be redundant…maybe just a little too anal?</p>
<p>My Harvard interviewer, for early action, casually requested for a resume (which I luckily had), and verbally took down my test scores. The Harvard interviewer made it clear that the resume was completely optional, only making it easier for him to write a report. My Columbia interviewer, on the other hand, was rather the opposite. He sternly requested a resume, and made it clear that he didn’t like interviewees who didn’t have one.</p>
<p>My experiences so far suggest that bring a basic resume with you is the best idea, just so you don’t get caught off guard. I haven’t had anyone request my transcript yet, but I carry that nearby also.</p>
<p>I’d also like to add, it makes sense to some degree that Harvard interviewers request more information. If you google “Harvard alumni interview report”, the first or second link takes you to a general alumni form which that specific Harvard club uses for its interviews (could be different for others though). You can see that there are specific academic assessment questions to the interviewer, which could be better answered if the applicant’s resume and test scores were on hand.</p>
<p>If the Harvard admissions office wanted all its interviewers to have access to all that information, it could give the information to them. The interviewers are operating on their own here. I think it’s fair to ask for a resume, and even a graded paper (since that’s something they could talk about, and where the interviewer could provide valuable additional information for the admissions file). But I don’t think it’s productive for the interviewer to be responding to the test scores, transcript, and application. That’s information everyone else in the process has already. The last thing they want is an interviewer blowing off a really interesting kid because the interviewer thinks that the test scores are 20 points too low.</p>
<p>You have a classic dilemma. You can complain to the Harvard admissions office, probably get the local alumni group’s wrists slapped, and annoy the heck out of them. Or you can do what they ask, even if they shouldn’t have asked it. Welcome to life.</p>
<p>The interviewer only asks for his or her own information. The Harvard interview form that we fill out lists this as optional. Some people only do it for a reference.</p>
<p>Personally (not speaking for Harvard or any other interviewer), after the combined scores exceed 1900 or so, I don’t think there’s much difference.</p>
<p>When I was interviewed, the alumna asked for scores, grades, and a brief overview of my extracurriculars – though she didn’t ask for a transcript nor a paper CV. She said it’s usually something each Harvard Club does in order to more objectively compare various candidates they interview (this was the jist of what she told me; I don’t remember everything she said so don’t quote me on it) </p>
<p>Basically, as long as you had scores not horribly far off from the average, your interviewer won’t care. And even if you do have relatively low scores, I’m sure he or she will be willing to listen to any circumstances you may present. My interviewer didn’t really care about mine and seemed rather hesitant to collect the data in the first place. </p>
<p>Most of my friends had positive experiences with the interview. You need not worry! It’s only a small part of the application. They just want to see that you’re amiable, if anything.</p>
<p>Let me clarify as a current H interview. We CAN ask for test scores and grades/ranking; that is NOT prohibited and there is a section on the official interview report where we can enter said information. However, interviewers are not required to ask, and, I guess, if an applicant is uncomfortable sharing this information, they can withhold it from the interviewer. </p>
<p>I have asked in the past, but I no longer do. I tend to think that I can get a pretty good gauge on someone’s abilities and personality without SAT scores.</p>
<p>I do think asking for a graded paper and/or a transcript might be excessive. I don’t expect someone to have a resume, but if they initiate, I will take it and use as a reference when writing my report.</p>
<p>10 years from now candidates will be able to bring their genome map on a thumb drive. It will make it easier for Admissions to build the super class of Freshmen. </p>
<p>This is also why interviewers like to meet at Starbucks. They put your cup in a plastic bag after you leave and send it it to the lab!</p>