<p>I was just wondering, for those of you who were asked the question "How will you contribute to Harvard during your four years?" during your interview, what was your answer? I didn't know what to say when asked, so I think I ruined my chances. You can pm if you'd like.</p>
<p>I just said I'd take up positively everything I had an interest in, determine which were passions and pursue those to the best of my abilities... the interviewer seemed happy with that. </p>
<p>I, unfortunately, had two interviewers, as the alumnus who had emailed me was "teaching" a new alumna how it was done. I had to project myself to two people with, it seemed to me, two very disparate personalities, which made me feel as though I was stretching myself thin. </p>
<p>Quite fun regardless... But the interview, as we ALL know, doesnt amount to a hill of beans in this crazy admissions process...</p>
<p>"But the interview, as we ALL know, doesnt amount to a hill of beans in this crazy admissions process..."</p>
<p>That's true at some institutions, but not true at Harvard. The admissions officers at H care enough about the interviews to ask the interviewers follow-up questions (I have been asked such questions by admissions officers.)</p>
<p>I've seen no evidence that an outstanding interview will tip in a mediocre applicant, but I have seen evidence that a bad interview can tip out an outstanding-appearing candidate. Someone who is rude, has no social skills or whom the interviewer catches in lies is not likely to get in even if otherwise their application was wonderful.</p>
<p>I was merely making an ironic aside with regards to everyone either saying or implying the interview doesn't matter one whit...</p>
<p>I just tried to be as frank as possible with mine... But as I said it was kind of funny having two totally different people there; one had, it seemed to me, an extremely healthy and developed (almost ribald) sense of humour, the other gave an impression of prigishness such that I feared I may have been too outr</p>
<p>Northstarmom, what sort of lies have you caught interviewees in?</p>
<p>Also...why does Harvard ask for your test scores in interviews, when they already have them?</p>
<p>NSM, have you ever suggested a 2nd interview, or been asked by the adcoms about a second interview by the admissions office?</p>
<p>Arioch, when I started interviewing as an alumna 10 years ago, I sat in on an interview as part of my 'training.' The 'real interviewer' had asked the applicant for her permission as we both thought it might be stressful for her to face two people although I did not actively participate in the session. I think you will have gotten points for handling yourself well in a somehat unnusual situation. And the experienced interviewer is the only one who will write your report so don't worry if the new alumna didn't seem to appreciate your sense of humour - she was probably somewhat nervous as well. Good luck!</p>
<p>Thanks, that's reassuring! You're right btw, he did warn me and said we wouldnt have to go through with it... She was young, however, from the class of 04 I believe, so she gave me a fresh insight into Harvard now.</p>
<p>I think if I get in to Harvard I'd quite like to do interviews too, you get to meet lots of interesting people I'd imagine...</p>