<p>Hi,</p>
<p>I was wondering should I opt for the CMU (CIT) alumni Interview? Is the interview only informative or does it also affect my chances of admission? I am quite reticent normally, so I will go for the interview only if it will help me get in.</p>
<p>Does the alumni interview increase admission chances? Please do not guess. Answer only if you know.</p>
<p>Thank You.</p>
<p>P.S.: How do you ask for an interview?</p>
<p>It’s definitely a plus, like somebody once said here on the forum, CMU values interest a lot. An interview is actually pretty casual. It is better that you come there ready to ask questions, because all the interviewer is going to say is his name, his graduating year, quick background and what he does now. That’ll take like 5 minutes, whereas the interview should last an hour or so, so you really have to keep the conversation going.</p>
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<p>I’m an alumni interviewer, but I guess I can’t answer.</p>
<p>^^ You are an alumni interviewer and you don’t know if it affects my admission chances?</p>
<p>I like to speculate, so I will. There are two parts to any interview)
Part A: They will ask you questions and you will answer (That helps)
Part B: You will have to ask questions and they will answer (Two ways that can turn out)
Way 1: They will see that you are very interested in the school, whether you did your research, and basically how interesting of a person you are (That will help)
Way 2: They will not see that you are an interesting person who did their research (doesn’t help, might hurt in the eyes of the interviewer, but overall never hurts)
If you break it down that way, then it is very likely that the interview helps, and isn’t just an information session, and naturally depends on how large part A and part B are.
Anyways, the thing that we need to establish now, is what kinds of questions are asked, and what the interviewers do with that information, if we know that, we can estimate how important the interview is to our admissions.
Also, it wouldn’t hurt to know how big some other factor would be, such as the essays, just to compare, and get a more definitive information! :)</p>
<p>That is very helpful!! I think I will go for the interview. Thanks a lot!</p>
<p>No problem my friend :)</p>
<p>An interview will definitely boost your chances. There are three main things that applicants can do to show interest when applying to any top-25 private college: (1) Visit campus; (2) Attend an information session, either locally or on campus; (3) Do an interview. Of these three activities, the interview is the only one which allows you to demonstrate your passion and intelligence. The interview is also the only activity which requires you to significantly prepare and contribute. </p>
<p>∴ An interview is by far the best way to show you’re interested in a college.</p>
<p>I’m not sure why you’re limiting yourself to alumni interviews though. I’d strongly suggest going with an admissions interview, as your interviewer can actually advocate for your acceptance when making a decision for your app.</p>
<p>I am an International Applicant. Alumni Interview is my only option.</p>
<p>Go for the interview, but not everyone gets an alumni interview because of the lack of available interviewers for every applicant, so the impact isn’t that big.</p>
<p>I just stumbled upon this,</p>
<p>[Forms</a> :: Carnegie Mellon Admission Council](<a href=“http://www.cmu.edu/cmac/forms/aluminterviewreport.htm]Forms”>http://www.cmu.edu/cmac/forms/aluminterviewreport.htm)</p>
<p>Seems like the interview is a pretty big deal at CMU!!</p>
<p>Indeed it does seem so!</p>
<p>Sent from my XT897 using CC</p>
<p>Garggaurav, you are the bomb!</p>
<p>Sergey - Hehehe :D</p>
<p>Ok, the interviewer accepted my request for the interview. We haven’t decided on the place yet, but I just got wondering - if we have our interview in a restaurant or a Cafe, who pays? (Probably a silly question but seems valid!)
Also, any advice on clothing? (I am a guy)</p>
<p>Well, I would assume something like that would be negotiated on the spot, BUT, saying “It’s okay, I’ll pay” might show your generous side, and I am sure the interviewers would not mind that, so grab enough money to be able to pay for the two of you, and see how it all plays out.
As for clothes, I am afraid I can’t really help you, for my taste in that is god awful 
Good luck on the interview!</p>
<p>Well, I really love an interview with a CMU interviewer. However, there’s no interviewers in my country, and it is too expensive for me to travel to another country just for an interview. Is that possible to conduct an interview via Internet or phone?</p>
<p>Yes, I think you would have to call the admissions office, but I am sure they will be able to give you an interview through Skype, or a Phone ;)</p>
<p>I will almost definitely be asked “Why CMU?”</p>
<p>Is it okay to say rankings and reputation? And what else should I talk about?</p>
<p>I honestly do not think an alumni interview will be that nerve wrecking. I had one with an admission officer, and it was pretty chill. </p>
<p>The same principles/questions probably still apply. I would not suggest talking about rankings because that REALLY sounds like a half-assed, cliche reason for choosing a school. Do your research and look into the specifics about the school especially about what you desire to do with your degree especially if you are interested in CIT. Also you should explain that you feel like being a student there will benefit you there in the long run and WHY such as the endless research/internships. </p>
<p>Make sure you convey that you actually are serious about attending in the case of acceptance. Really get your personality across and extracurricular activities you do that relate to your major.</p>
<p>I’m in the same situation and I just contacted a local alumni in SCS. CMU is probably my top choice now (rejected EA from Stanford) because I want to continue playing tennis and I think I might be able to walk on to the team.</p>