<p>I've never visited Colby, and I just had an alumni interview that was the best interview ever, seriously. She said that she would "push my application because I go to inner city public school and that Colby needs more people from public school and from [my city]."</p>
<p>I am not a URM by any stretch of the imagination. I am a white, affluent, jew; BUT I have gone to public school for my entire life and wrote my essays about that and diversity (I think they are pretty good)</p>
<p>After she said that, we had a really awesome conversation for an hour and a half. </p>
<p>Since I've never visited, I never thought that COlby was where I really wanted to be next, but after the interview I started thinking, and now I think I want to go.</p>
<p>So, my question is: How much can a good alumni interview help?</p>
<p>A good interview helps, but probably not quite as much as if it were with an admission person.
Diversity is very important to Colby, so your essay focus will help.
You should visit though. If you get accepted sign up for an overnight, but do it right away, it's a very popular option. You will have a host who will take you around to classes and ec activities. Our daughter did that and it really sealed the deal. Good luck!</p>
<p>thanks,
I will visit if i get in. the problem is that when i visit it "seals the deal" no matter what college it is. i'm applying to nine schools and... i love them all!</p>
<p>I dont think an interview would be a big help.</p>
<p>Personally I've just had one. My interviewer talked so much and just asked my very little some classical questions (why do u chose Colby, etc). I absolutely felt like I was interviewing her.</p>
<p>I think the interview's purpose is for the students to know > about the college, not much vice versa.</p>
<p>So, the crucial in the application is your essays and recs.</p>
<p>same here. During my Colby interview it felt like I was chatting with friends (I interviewed with an admissions counselor on campus). We even wrote down book titles for each other. Look on collegeboard to see how much they consider them</p>
<p>well, usually if the interviewer is writing down notes about you and not just trying to absorb everything, then the interview itself is considered pretty important. it's a good thing if you feel like you're chatting with a friend, and i'll admit some colleges do more of an informal informational thing, but i don't believe this school in particular does, then again it also depends on who is interviewing. btw the person who interviewed me at Colby said " i really don't like the direction collegeboard is going." woohoo!!!!!! if the interview went that well, even if it was with an alumni, that is defenitely good news. moreover, if she was that enthusiastic about you, that also means nothing but good things, Colby is not going to totally disregard the interview, otherwise there would be no point in having willing alumni to do this.</p>
<p>An admission person interview is always important, even if the interviewer is casual in his/her style. There are a number of reasons why an interviewer could be speaking more than the interviewee. The interviewer is looking to you to carry the conversation, ask questions, have an opinion, and all the while he/she is assessing fit.
An alumnus interview carries much less weight but will definitely be considered during the review process.</p>