<p>I got an e-mail today from a member of a local Cornell University alumni network.
He encouraged me to schedule an interview by replying to his e-mail.</p>
<p>Now, I’ve been under the impression that typical interviews are mostly for colleges to introduce themselves to the students and that they hardly affect admission chances. Also, I heard that interviews are optional and usually are conducted upon the students’ request.</p>
<p>I don’t think I’m prepared to say anything that would impress the guy so much that it would help my chances of acceptance at Cornell.</p>
<p>So I have three questions regarding the situation:</p>
<li>Should I set up the interview? </li>
<li>Would it help my chances of acceptance at Cornell? </li>
<li>Are they encouraging me to interview 'cause I’m on the borderline? Why now, after all the apps are in?</li>
</ol>
<p>Thank you very much in advance to those who’d read and reply to this post.</p>
<p>Assuming you're not applying for architecture or to the School of Hotel Admin, then no, an interview is not required.</p>
<p>
[quote]
In all other programs, interviews are neither required nor offered. Campus visits are always encouraged, and most students who apply for freshman admission will be contacted by a member of a local Cornell alumni committee in the fall or winter. These informal conversations with alumni are not required and are meant only to allow an additional opportunity for the student to learn more about Cornell---and for Cornell to learn more about the student.
<p>I'm under the impression that students are more or less selected randomly for these alumni interviews; that is to say, whether you're selected has no bearing on the strength of your application.</p>
<p>My daughter did two alumni interviews; Georgetown requires them, Tufts strongly encourages them. From talking to college admissions people, they seem to think doing an interview is more likely to help you get in than hurt you, but say if you can't do one, it does not mean you won't be accepted. So who knows? It does sound like they are very informal for Cornell, but that last line - for Cornell to learn more about the student - sounds like a report is sent in. I don't think it means you are on the borderline, but I would encourage my child to do an interview if offered, just to get more personal contact with the school.</p>
<p>I interview for a New England LAC. They're not mandatory, but in my experience, they help a student. <em>At the very least</em> reply to the alum who sent you the email/called you! I have filed six reports so far this year stating that the students did not reply to my initial emails and a follow-up phone calls a week later. An admissions officer I talked to said they would definitely take this simple lack of courtesy into consideration when they review the application.</p>
<p>Yes, we know you are busy - we are too. However, I simply cannot comprehend blowing off an opportunity to show interest to a school I've applied to and want to attend....and now I'm sounding like my mother!</p>
<p>This can work both ways. Last year my daughter applied to Vassar, which does not conduct on-campus interviews--only alum interviews. My daughter requested such an interview, repeatedly. Vassar's admissions office kept brushing her off, assuring her that someone would get in touch with her. Well, it never happened. My daughter was ignored and I, in turn, was unimpressed with how the school conducted its business. Turns out, she was accepted and offered a decent financial aid package from Vassar, even without an interview, but by then they had fallen off my daughter's radar. She's now attending Carleton, a school that had reciprocated her interest during the application/interview process.</p>