<p>A few days ago I got an email from an alumni that wants to have an interview with me. I should be excited but I am very apprehensive because I applied to Columbia as a stretch school ( and I mean a big stretch). I have a 3.6 GPA (all AP/ Honors classes Unweighted) and a 26 ACT. My grandpa went to Columbia but had to stop his education because he enlisted in the war. My parents were first generation college graduates and I am 1/4 Hispanic. I have played the trumpet for over eight years and have been an active member in my youth group for nine years. I am an editor for an online magazine that is run by high school students and I have several volunteer experiences such as participating in a 30 Hour Famine, volunteering at a Food Bank, selling merchandise for local sporting events, being a member of Kep Club, etc. Although I have always challenged myself in school and gotten mostly A's, I am concerned that I am wasting the interviewers time because I have such low stats for an Ivy League school. Do the interviewers have your stats on hand? Are the interviews merley a way for students to learn more about Columbia? Any advice for the interview would be extremley helpful!</p>
<p>The interviewers only know a limited amount of info about the student. They will not know your GPA or scores, but it is possible they might ask. They technically shouldn’t though, because their purpose it to know things about you that you couldn’t show in your application. I had my interview in December and I felt the exact same way - really underqualified. When I was accepted later that month, I let my interviewer know. He told me that my interview was memorable and he said good things about me in his report. I think that helped me out a lot. So just be yourself, and don’t be too bland or boring! Remember that it’s usually an alumni, not an officer, so they might want to talk about themselves a lot. So if they do that, just try to redirect the conversation back to you. Also, make sure you know a loooot about the school, and WHY it’s your first choice. And whatever you do, don’t put yourself down and say things like “I know I won’t get in but…”. You want the interviewer to remember you. Goodluck!!!</p>
<p>Thank you for your advice! I had my interview yesterday night and it went well. Congrats on your acceptance!</p>