<p>I've read all the threads on interviews. I was just wondering if anyone knows of applicants who were interviewed (did well on interviews) but were still rejected? It seems that the Ivys interview is just another piece of the application process, but doesn't boost your chances (if you submitted a mediocre or below average application) because it's more informative rather than evaluative, am I correct? It could hurt your chances if you showed up "stoned" or acted like an idiot, I assume. But other than the informative part, I was just curious if I'm correct -- that getting an interview is nothing to be excited about and absolutely doesn't mean that you're most likely getting accepted?</p>
<p>I didn’t interview for Princeton but I did for brown. It was very relaxed. The guy basically told me what he was going to write in his evaluation. Don’t think it mattered much</p>
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<p>If you’ve done this, did you just disbelieve all the information contained therein? Read this one; it applies for P as well
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/brown-university/810532-brown-interview-faq-answers.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/brown-university/810532-brown-interview-faq-answers.html</a></p>
<p>I meant: I read all the threads on interviews on Princeton, because I’m asking about Princeton. Thanks for pointing to the Brown info! Perhaps that would lead to my next question – is the Brown alum’s feedback generally true for the other Ivys as well?</p>
<p>Princeton looks to the interview to perhaps corroborate aspects of your transcript, and they’re offered to each applicant. it’s neither a sign they think highly of you, nor is it a make-or-break stage of the application (though being a fool will probably hurt you). my Princeton interviewer told me that though she gave her three interviewees the previous year glowing recs, none of them got in. but if the interview is there, make a good impression. it certainly doesn’t hurt.</p>
<p>I repeat :</p>
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Since P rejects +90% of applicants and about 90% of applicants are interviewed, you draw your own conclusions</p>
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Everyone who interviews is automatically rejected?! :eek:</p>
<p>I KNEW I shouldn’t have interviewed…</p>
<p>^ this is a joke, right? Plz tell me so. Don’t exhibit the same analytical skills as urabt2c…</p>
<p>Like Shoegazer said, Princeton tries to find an alum to interview every applicant. It’s not like med school, where getting selected for an interview is the first step towards getting in.</p>
<p>Some foolish applicants decide not to do the interview because they hear it is optional. It is optional, but if an applicant declines an interview, that is reported back to admissions. I’m sure that admissions interprets that as meaning that the applicant isn’t very interested in going to Princeton.</p>
<p>You asked whether people have heard of applicants doing well at interviews and not getting in anyway. First off, the only ones who truly know the answer to that are admissions officers. No applicant knows how well they have done in an interview. I interview Princeton applicants, and also interview adults for jobs. Most from both groups think that they’ve done well in their interview, even if they haven’t. The interviewer won’t close by saying, “I think you’re an idiot, and am not going to recommend that Princeton accept you.” Even if that is what he or she thinks.</p>
<p>Most applicants look good to interviewers, by the way. But that alum may interview only one kid a year. Even those who think they blew the interview may have a glowing interview report about them sent back to admissions. And that person could be rejected for any of a million different reasons. A strong interview won’t make up for a weak transcript, weak test scores or a weak EC record. If the interviewer says you were rude or negative, that could hurt you, even if the rest of your application is strong.</p>
<p>By the way, there is a difference between the Brown interview and the Princeton interview. The Princeton interviewer knows only your name, address, contact info and high school. They don’t even see a list of interests or activities, as Brown apparently provides.</p>
<p>The rest of the info in the Brown Interview thread applies to the Princeton interview as well.</p>
<p>One other tidbit. Show and tell can help. Just as a sales rep brings a sample or a catalog, if you can bring something that clearly demonstrates that you are unique (that could be a newspaper article about you, an art portfolio, a magazine article you wrote, a CAD drawing of something you conceived and built), that will make you appear better in the interview, and make the conversation more smooth.</p>
<p>Don’t bring non-descript stuff. You don’t need to bring your application, transcript, test scores, or photocopies of awards (Lion’s Club Student of the Year, etc.). Those things can be handled orally, and your interviewer won’t be dealing with your academics.</p>
<p>All my interviewers have said - your interview doesn’t make or break you but helps the admissions officers create an overall image of you along with the rest of your app. That image, depending on what is needed in the next freshman class, will decide whether you’re accepted.</p>