<p>hey guys so are any of ya'll doing an interview? If so, does anyone know how much this matters?
To anyone out there that went through one...what was it like??</p>
<p>I think that an alumni interview is important but not quite as important as an admissions interview. I had my Harvard interview yesterday, and I think it went pretty well. It seemed very casual. My interviewer asked me about my extracurriculars, SAT scores, AP courses and scores, hobbies, what other schools I have applied to, etc. No question seemed out of the blue or unexpected to me.</p>
<p>Hi WB,</p>
<p>I'm a Harvard alum interviewer [> 20 years, 200+ interviews] in the Boston area, and the alum interview is mandatory. You don't need an interview on campus; if you request one you'll get a truncated version of what will happen later during the alum meeting.</p>
<p>Your experience is standard ......... the meeting is a conversation and not meant to be difficult, an opportunity for both sides to learn more. It is the best chance to pursue an area in depth. If you have a special talent or dimension not fully revealed by the application this is the time for that elaboration; the discussion is usually 30-60 minutes. </p>
<p>I like to tell students the interview is significant [otherwise it wouldn't be mandatory] but it will not get you in or keep you out. Of the 200 I've given I doubt more than 5-6 were so strong or weak that they had a material impact on the written assessment submitted later [all interviewers complete this report]. This write-up is largely narrative and is a general impression of the student and how he/she would fare academically and otherwise on campus.</p>
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Of the 200 I've given I doubt more than 5-6 were so strong or weak that they had a material impact on the written assessment submitted later
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<p>Just curious, what types of behavior would generally be a red flag?</p>
<p>I haven't been contacted for an interview yet; should I ask Harvard about interviews or just wait?</p>
<p>I applied on November 30, 2008, and I live in Maumelle, Arkansas, just 15 minutes outside of Little Rock.</p>
<p>^^ I would wait until Feb or March before you contact Harvard. I thought I would never be contacted for an interview (and I live in a really populous area) but I eventually was. I was told by my interviewer that she didnt contact any applicants until after a certain date set by the local alumni club. Maybe the date is later in your region. Also think of how much work the poor admissions office has to slog through right now! Have a breather lol :)</p>
<p>how about dc/maryland?is anyone being contacted by harvard for interview ?</p>
<p>Is the interview region based on where you go to school or where you live?</p>
<p>As with all impressions it is likely to be the collective effect rather than one incident, but the following have occurred. It would be better to avoid this sort of behavior ........ it is rare and the more you see the more you wonder about someone's maturity.</p>
<p>arriving significantly late to the interview without reason</p>
<p>lack of energy, no involvement in the discussion beyond very short answers</p>
<p>not having taken or scheduled the three SAT II subject tests, or even being aware of the requirement</p>
<p>nervous chatter or behavior that extends well beyond a very understandable 5-10 minutes [this setting is casual dress, public, not some fancy office]. I also send a lengthy email describing the entire process before calling the applicant.</p>
<p>not having a single comment or question-- write it down if you want-- about the admission process, Harvard, Cambridge/Boston. There normally is energy or curiousity if someone is serious about attending Harv if accepted; just appear reasonably alert, interested, interject as appropriate.</p>
<p>acting as if the meeting is trivial, you have something more important, can't wait to leave, etc.</p>
<p>Where you go to school, normally; boarding school students would be interviewed in that community, e.g.</p>
<p>Thanks Bcolsonb</p>
<p>I had my interview today!!!
The guy I had was pretty nice...although he wanted me to do all the talking...at first..then I didn't know how to stop him he he
he asked me to tell him about myself...
then he asked me what my favorite subjects were....
what my ec's were like....n anything he should know about me.
then he asked me about my tests..n he said his favorite question was: If your mother had been here, after you left for what would she have gotten mad at you for not telling me?
it was kinda short but they had 125 people to interview so yea...</p>
<p>H interviewer here. Yuyis - I've asked the same question. If your mother (or father) were here, what would they say to brag about you. I've seen kids just smile or laugh and then open right up. It's a fun question - relaxes the interviewee and allow them to "brag," because they're just relating what their parents would say. Hope you gave him a good answer!! :-)</p>