<p>what are questions that admission officer ask in the interview and what are they expect us to answer</p>
<p>One super tip for everybody:</p>
<p>Make sure you know what your favorite CD is.</p>
<p>It really depends on the interviewer, but some of the questions I was asked include: What was your hardest struggle in high school? Your biggest success? What type of activities did you do? (I did not bring a resume - the interviewer was writing down my test scores, etc.)</p>
<p>The rest of the interview consisted of chit-chat about the school.</p>
<p>favorite CDs?? are they totally random or do they have a set of questions that they have to ask?
I'm kinda intimidated by this, any suggestions?</p>
<p>Wait, aznprincess, they wrote down your test scores? I thought that was an interviewer no-no...</p>
<p>How were the interviewers themselves? Were they students or actual officers?</p>
<p>Harvard asks interviewers to learn the students' gpa and test scores. This presumably is because Harvard wants the interviewers to have the info the interviewers need in order to rank the students on intellectual achievements (or something similar. Can't remember the exact terminology), one of the things Harvard has the interviewers rank students on. </p>
<p>Otherwise, interviewers ask whatever questions they desire in order to be able to rate students and write a narrative about the interview. Consequently, no one can figure out all of the potential questions that could be asked</p>
<p>Anyone who tries to prep for the interview by practicing answers to questions is likely to come off as robotic. Far better to just be yourself. </p>
<p>Most interviewers are alums like me. Please do NOT take this info as an invitation to PM me with questions about your app. </p>
<p>Interviews are evaluative, not designed to sell students on Harvard.</p>
<p>Speaking of interviews...</p>
<p>I am very confused about the role of the interview. So if the interviewer writes down some HORRIFYING evaluations, the application would be reconsidered or just left as is? And if the interviewer gives a really good evaluation, would that add to the application or only solidify it?</p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>My interviewer was an alumnus of a Harvard graduate school so he was not entirely knowledgeable about the undergraduate education. </p>
<p>He wrote my test scores and AP scores, but we did not discuss them in any way during the interview.</p>
<p>I just remembered, we also talked about why I was applying to Harvard. </p>
<p>The interview seems to be just another part of your application - holistic approach to admissions. Generally, unless you are incredibly rude, your interview will be fine. Answer honestly!</p>
<p>My D was sent a list of questions ahead of time by her interviewer. (Favorite books, how she spent the summer, sports, possible major, test scores, etc.) The interviewer used those questions as a general guide. He also wanted to know what questions she had about H. Her friend, who had the same interviewer, confided in my D later that he chided her about her test scores, but in a friendly way. (I think they were lower than the typical H applicant.)</p>
<p>My two Ds both did Harvard interviews. D1's interviewer was all business, wanted to convey that H is not a place for those who need coddling or external motivation. He wanted examples to demonstrate that D1 had the moxie and necessary internal locus of control. Despite having matching areas of expertise and passion, they didn't really get to discuss that. D1 thought it went well, but was glad to get through it.</p>
<p>D2 (two years later with a different interviewer) got asked about her resume and about the prospects of going to the same college as D1. She and her interviewer really hit it off; she reminded her interviewer of her own daughter who had attended H. The interviewer wasn't familiar with one of D2's primary ECs and wanted to know all about it - big happy chit-chat ending with a big hug. A few months later, the interviewer sought her out at the accepted students' reception for a congratulatory big hug and they exchanged phone numbers and e-mail addresses.</p>
<p>It's a roll of the dice and you get what you get.</p>
<p>they interview applicant through phone or face to face or both?</p>
<p>It's face-to-face if at all possible.</p>
<p>"So if the interviewer writes down some HORRIFYING evaluations, the application would be reconsidered or just left as is?"</p>
<p>Suppose the interviewer says something very damning about the student, like "He showed up forty minutes late, didn't apologize for keeping me waiting, and told me that he didn't care what I thought because his dad is rich and he'll get in wherever he wants. Then he interrupted me whenever I tried to talk." </p>
<p>If that report seems inconsistent with teachers' descriptions of the student in their recommendations, Harvard may ask the student to do a second interview with a different alum, so they can be sure that the alum was not biased in any way. Those terrible reports are rare, but they can have a strong negative effect on your application.</p>
<p>My son's interview was very very similar to gadad's D1 interview.</p>
<p>I did two interviews for Harvard, though not for the reasons Hanna mentioned!</p>
<p>Honestly, my Harvard interviewers were probably some of the best I met with during the application process. Sometimes an interview can feel almost like a trial, in that you feel you're being judged. I'm happy to say that my Harvard interviewers did as much as they could to eliminate that kind of tense atmosphere, and the conversations we had were very natural.</p>
<p>Apart from asking me about my scores, they stayed away from "typical" interview questions. I think they were generally just trying to get a picture of where I was coming from, as an applicant, and where I wanted to go. I think they were evaluating my responses and my reasoning for them, but they weren't really seeking to make me uncomfortable with their questioning, just trying to see how I reacted under pressure or how coherent my answers were.</p>
<p>I would say that instead of worrying about what kind of questions they'll ask you, it helps to have a few questions that you want to ask them. Especially ones that demonstrate you researched the school and having specific points of interest or concern.</p>
<p>They'll ask random questions like "what songs are on your playlist?"</p>
<p>If I want to apply for Harvard, do I have to set an interview ? Should I do it now ?</p>
<p>tariqx, someone will contact you to set up an interview once you turn in your application (if an interviewer is available in your area).</p>
<p>There are two possible types of interviews: 1. on campus interviews with the admissions staff which are granted if there is space and time available, when you visit the Harvard campus. Call well before your arrival to see if they have time. 2. Alumni interviews are the ones scheduled after you turn in your application, usually done in January or February. You are contacted by the local alumn to schedule a convenient time and place. (As noted by AZNPrincess above--if there is an alumn in your area.)</p>
<p>The earlier you send in the application, the more likely you will get an alumni interview.</p>
<p>Has anyone done an interview yet? I'm curious to know how that went...</p>