I was requested to have an alumni interview, which is fine and casual and all, except for the fact that I ignored the email for fours days. I finally have a date set and all but I have an extremely bad feeling about this.
Like I’m aware my chances of getting into their college is absymally low (i checked) but i feel like my emails have already made an extremely horrible impression. I know I’m probably not going to get in but I feel lile the person is going to rip me apart. I was going reject having the interview entirely because i have no clue what i am doing, but i was talked out of it (which was the only good that has happened so far) am still preparing for it. I was just wondering if there are any tips because I am trainwreck (i speak in circles without ever answering the question and tend to stutter in almost all social situations) and compared to the other interviews, this is going horrible. Specifically, I am worried that the interviewer will try to find any and all reasons that I want to go to their college but instead of responding properly, i would end up saying something like “I just want to go to college”. Any and all responses are appreciated.
First, you didn’t mess up by not opening the email immediately. Also, the interviewer is not there to make you fail, their job is to see you for who you are. Try and do mock interviews with teachers you trust or any adult who isn’t your parents.
Alumni meetings tend to be non evaluative. It’s a way for the college to try to get you excited about coming. Just be prepared to answer why you applied to the specific school and have questions to ask the alumni about their experiences.
I agree with practicing with someone.
And a few day delay in responding to an email is really just fine. We know students don’t use email daily.
This will be good for you, OP.
You’ll be fine. From your explanation, it seems you need to focus more on what you want to get out of the interview, what your questions are. Prepare some questions in advance (remember, there are no stupid questions!) and get your interviewer to talk about what they think distinguishes the school, why they liked it, what their major was, etc. The interviewer may have some questions for you as well, but once you get the conversation flowing, that will come more easily. With any interview, school or job, I’ve found I do better if I go in with the attitude that this is something I really want and something I can really do. This helps me show enthusiasm, confidence and interest, which in turn helps engage the interviewer.
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On the other hand, questions that students could have answered themselves in 10 seconds via an online search do not reflect well on them, particularly if they are applying to highly selective schools that value initiative, research skills, and so forth.
But otherwise, I second tkoparent’s advice.
You’re not defending a doctoral dissertation. It’s not a panel interview at Amazon. It’s just an interview to see who you are and to go over your application. Yes, they’re fully expecting everyone to be nervous. Just be yourself and do your best to put yourself in a good light. If it goes well, then great! If it goes bad, the school isn’t for you. It’s better to find that out in an interview now, rather than move into your dorm and find out you’re miserable.