I have just finished all of my hw and I was checking in for the night when I noticed an email. It was from an AO saying that she was on Skype (I had a Skype interview today at 4:30). I completely forgot about my interview. I emailed her just now asking if I could reschedule. How will they view this? Will they mark down that I am irresponsible? Is this an automatic rejection?
How on earth did I forget about the interview??? I’m so mad at myself… :((
No, this is not an automatic rejection, calm down. Everyone makes mistakes. If the rest of your teachers on your recommendation write you down as a really responsible student, they may overlook this as a one time mistake. It may work slightly against you, but it will completely wreck your application if you appear all nervous and remorseful during the interview. Politely apologize to her and thank her for her understanding. In the future, make sure it doesn’t happen again, find a way to keep yourself organized. Right now, I use a paperback planner.
It will be fine. Reentry to normal life after the holidays can be difficult. The AO has an electronic reminder to be on skype for her 5th interview that day. I am sure that the same AO has missed an important doctor’s/dentist/etc appointment if they weren’t reminded about it the day before, especially if it happened right after the holidays. She will understand and it will probably look like you purposely rescheduled it when they look over your application. Make sure you respond to the oversight in a mature and apologetic fashion and focus on getting onto the interview itself.
I agree with the above two posts. Just be appropriately apologetic upfront, and then move on. Be forthright, personable and try to be relaxed. It should go fine.
It should be fine; we’ve all missed appointments. However, I’d suggest setting up electronic reminders for any future key appointments.
Thank you guys! The AO didn’t reply from my email, though… I guess I will just have to wait!
I’m a Duke alumni interviewer. I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve been stood up for interviews. It certainly is irritating. Just apologize profusely and make sure it doesn’t happen again. Good luck
As a backup (for future appointments), maybe it makes sense to ask a parent to put it into their calendar as well. As the old saying goes: “two heads are better than one!”.
Did you contact her yet? When you do be sure to explain that this is something you have pursued on your own, not being managed by your parents. That is impressive to schools and will support you.
Yes, I emailed her two days ago and she has still not replied… I am seriously getting worried now.
Have a parent call tomorrow and try to schedule another time. If it weren’t so close to deadlines, I’d agree with jdewey but it’s crunch time now and you’re getting down to the wire… BS admission offices are super crazy right now.
When you do have your Skype interview with this AO apologize but don’t dwell on it. Be sure to follow up with a nice handwritten Thank You note and I’m sure all will be forgiven. We all make mistakes… but right now I’d get a parent involved to smooth things over and get you another interview.
It is crunch time for the written documents, not really crunch time for completing the interviews. Maybe the AO is attending to these urgencies.
You should call her, especially since tomorrow is friday. You shouldn’t have to worry about it over the weekend. A phone call is important in showing your interest and concern, this has more impact than emails. Emails are so passive. I am sure it will work out, wishing you the best.
Thank you! I have already called her four times today, though… Only to find out that she is “unavailable.” I also accidentally called the wrong school and asked for my interviewer, to find out that there was “no such person that worked at that school.” I was so embarrased… oh my life right now. 
I’ll try again tomorrow. Hopefully I’ll press the right phone number. 
Good luck…Let’s hope you get the interview!
@sgopal2 What happens when the people you were supposed to interview don’t turn up? Do you enter anything in the system? What happens?
When an applicant doesn’t show up, there is a box for “Unable to interview” and I list the reason. Some kids don’t show up because they’ve been accepted EA elsewhere, or have simply forgotten. From there it goes to the admissions office, where they read it.
I typically would give a middle-schooler more slack than a high schooler for skipping an interview. The follow-up on your part after the mix-up will be the true test to the interviewer. Best of luck.
Thanks for all the advice guys. I was able to reschedule it. Phew. Hopefully that will be the first and last time that will happen!