<p>I'm confused. On this page, it says "In all other programs, interviews are neither required nor offered." But then it goes on to say "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>
<p>What's the deal?</p>
<p>Are</a> interviews required? | Admissions</p>
<p>It’s not really an interview, but rather an “informal conversation” with an alum. They carry little, if any, weight in the admissions process. It’s a chance for you to learn more about Cornell. If the alum really likes you, he or she may report that to admissions. It’s always good to take the alum meeting if they contact you for one.</p>
<p>Is it similar to other college’s alumni interviews?</p>
<p>For the most part I think so. I applied AAP and had an interview that wasn’t required but “strongly recommended.” My interviewer had a set of specific questions she was required to ask me, and from there it was a really good conversation. It lasted a bit over an hour, which is normal (shorter or longer is fine too). From what I have seen on other college threads and on the Cornell threads, this seems to be pretty consistent with both interviews and alumni meetings.</p>
<p>Ok, thanks for the clarification!</p>
<p>Hi Uni,</p>
<p>My dd was accepted at the CoE without ever being contacted for an interview, so they are definitely not required. 
HTH</p>
<p>I got accepted to CoE ED and I didn’t participate in the interview. So, I doubt it really matters and it definitely is not mandatory. Even if you do go, I don’t think it supposed to be like a real interview and I don’t think it could make any real affect on your decision. I think it really is just a chance for you to ask questions about Cornell that you wouldn’t be able to find the answer to on their website.</p>
<p>No problem, good luck! Hope to meet you in the fall! (:</p>