So I have my alumni interview next week and I’m very unsure what to expect and I was wondering if anyone had any enlightening information or advice or tips for me.
Thanks!
Alum interviews are quirky and not like each other. I recall when eldest interviewed for Duke with an alum locally and the man interviewed him at his office and then declared he was going to highly recommend him. Best friend heads off to a different Duke local alum for an interview which was in the alum’s home. This alum spent the entire time chasing his dog and his kids. He didn’t seem that interested in best friend… Not fair and not predictable. So go with a very flexible attitude. If you have an alum talker “back in my day…” person, lend a good ear and interrupt to ask a few good questions. If you have a quiet alum listener, initiate and ask him or her questions about their time. Don’t be mysterious about yourself. Focus on what you wish to get across.
My best tip: Have 3 talking point goals. somehow get them to remember just 3 strong things about you. That may be all that is reasonable to expect of an interview. write those three things in sentence form on a sheet of paper to orient your mind and prepare… and then do your darnedest to get these three points about yourself orally and HOW YOU WOULD USE Vanderbilt’s academic and social offerings positively…across.
Live and Learn. These interviews are only the beginning of many interviews ahead.
Due to the fact that it’s not a good standardized or objective measure of an applicant, it really isn’t used to influence your decision. It’s more for you to have a chance to ask former students about their experiences at the school. Just think of a few good questions that you have and don’t be super weird.