Hi,
I submitted my app a few days ago and I’m kinda freaking out because I just learned that Harvard contacts most applicants for interviews. I’m not very good at interviews, especially when I’m asked broad questions like “Tell me about yourself” or “What do you like about Harvard?” Do I have to do the interview if requested, and if not, will my chances of admissions go down if I don’t do it?
Thank you
You don’t have to do anything, but yes, it will not help you to refuse an interview. The good news is that unless you totally insult the interviewer, it is highly unlikely that the interview will tank your application. In the meantime, seek out some interview advice/practice from your counselors/teachers/parents. And relax.
Plenty of bright and interesting people aren’t good at small talk. Go to the interview to find out more about Harvard. The interviewer can answer questions and tell you what his or her experience was like. Come with some questions YOU want answered. You need to make sure Harvard is a good fit for you and the interview is a way to get more information. Try not to think of it as some kind of evaluation you need to pass and see it as an interaction that is mutually helpful.
bump
your bumping your question won’t get you anything more than what the two sage respondents said. If you can’t solve this dilemma, you have no business expecting an offer from Harvard.
You’re bad at interviews. If you decline an offered interview, you hurt your already miniscule chances.
Then practice and get better. There’s no other path and your wishing it so isn’t going to make it so.
Prepare a few answers to those questions you don’t like. practice them. ask your parents to interview you. work on it. Good experience cause there will be interviews from here on far more than tests.