<p>I just got a call for an interview, but the person said they've never even been on the campus, let alone been a student.</p>
<p>Apparently it's "how Duke does interviews". Has anyone else had anything similar?</p>
<p>I don't know if I'm a good fit or not, but how would they know if they have no idea either? How do I ask questions if they don't know anything?</p>
<p>It's kind of awkward to me.</p>
<p>*** i thought it was supposed to be done by an alumni? I would contact Duke to make sure this is legit, but that's pretty sorry if they dont even have an alumnus to do your interview.</p>
<p>strange ... how are they connected to Duke then? did they just hire some guy lol?</p>
<p>I guess. The admissions office is closed, I'll try calling tomorrow.</p>
<p>I'm in a heavily populated area, and others from my school have received interviews from actual alumni. So it isn't like they'd have to hire extra people.</p>
<p>I've never heard of hiring someone just for interviews, too -it would be difficult to pay all of them, unless you go by a set amount. And why do that when alumni can do it better, for free?</p>
<p>Sounds sketchy...</p>
<p>My interview is being done by an alumnus</p>
<p>Really weird, all of my college interviews were done by alumni from the schools.</p>
<p>However, sometimes they are grad students who are somewhat ignorant of the school, one of my friends who applied to (and is currently attending) Cornell had a grad student who couldn't answer some of his questions on the campus.</p>
<p>scratching head...perhaps you should give the admissions office a call and confirm that this is legit...or shoot them an email expressing appreciation but some confusion re how this person can do evaluative comments on your fit for Duke...Maybe there is a good reason?</p>
<p>yah...when I read that creepy stalker came to mind. But maybe I'm just paranoid.</p>
<p>If you are going to meet in a public place, that is reassuring. Also, perhaps it is a good sign that this adult told you right up front on the phone since this is very outside of the norm. Haven't heard of ANY college doing this. Not sure it makes sense either. Our S met a Duke alum in his office, but his best buddy met a Duke alum at his home. I don't think I would do number 2 if you are not clear about this person's connection to Duke admissions. They do have a huge amount of applicants this year so it is not unthinkable that they might try something different for interviews. It would be too odd that a bad guy would even know about your interest in the university...probably OK, but worth an email to admissions rep for your region.</p>
<p>The alum that was scheduled to do the interview for my son was called out of town and asked someone else at his law firm to do it--someone who had no connection to Duke. So it does happen. I would however, show some smarts by asking a little bit more about how this person has been chosen to interview you. By the way, the non-Dukie interviewer really made no difference, my son is a freshman at Duke this year.</p>
<p>I would definitely ask your interviewer's connection to Duke. The Alumni Admissions Advisory Committees (AAACs) are responsible for assigning applicants to interviewers and they verify that the interviewer is an alumnus. As far as I know, 100% of interviewers are alumni and they all do it for free. I suppose it's possible that the alumnus who was contacted to conduct your interview passed it off to somebody else.....just ask.</p>
<p>That does seem very strange. I'd certainly ask how they were chosen to interview you.</p>
<p>I called the admissions office -they said that wasn't normal at all, and forwarded me to someone in charge of alumni interviews.</p>
<p>Apparently the guy who called me is real, but simply the secretary of one of the alumni. I might be interviewed by the actual person this time.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the advice, it's much appreciated.</p>
<p>Oh, good. Because that did not**** sound right at all, and was nothing like our son's experience with admissions and the interviewer.</p>
<p>LOL - I was about to ask, "Did the guy explain that you need to pay for the interviews in cash?" :-D</p>