<p>i was supposed to have an interview 12/9 at 3 at starbucks but my interviewer cancelled. she then emailed me that iw woul be this saturday. this waslike 3 weeks ago. she never specified a new timeor place, even though i asked. shouldi assume its still at starbucks? im defenitely going to showup, but im not fully mentally committed to the interview. like im expecting her not to be there.</p>
<p>the “alumni interview” is really an information session - however, the alums are all volunteers and not all accept or realize that it is an “information session” - also - most will be working adults who aren’t keyed into the trauma that the word “interview” has for a high school senior. your alum contact probably is busy and thinks she has set up the meeting and everything is fine - relax and try togo and ask questions and enjoy yourself.
Good luck. I’ve contacted 4 applicants lately - three haven’t responded and one told me he had a crazy schedule and was too busy to get together right now…show much interest?</p>
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<p>I always love it when the kids do that. Granted, they have no idea how much influence I may or may not have, but why not take advantage of the opportunity? Too busy texting or Facebooking or whatever the kids do today.</p>
<p>I actually just had the opportunity to call all 20 students accepted from my area ED and invite them to a reception we are having. Maybe only a third seemed genuinely appreciative. </p>
<p>Kids these days.</p>
<p>Many of the alumni interviewers have saidhere on CC that it is more of an info gathering session, not a true interview. Ok, that makes sense, but does the interviewer’s opinion or impression have no influence on the admissions office? It seems like it would have to have some bearing if the interviewer reported to admissions that the student seemed amazing vs completely blah or disinterested? Any thoughts you alumni interviewers?</p>
<p>damn now i wish i didnt send that one email. can i still dress nice? not a suit or anything, just a collared shirt and a sweater?</p>
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Is Cornell the only university to consider the alumni interview to be an information session, or do other colleges treat the interview the same way?</p>
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<p>I know that my write-ups are read by admissions. I have received feedback on them. And you never know who may have a friend in high places on campus. </p>
<p>Look. Cornell calls them ‘contacts’ and ‘information sessions’ because they can’t offer them to all students. And we are told to not call them interviews to make certain that students don’t stress out about them – they are casual and informal chats, after all.</p>
<p>But you have to be naive to think that how you come across doesn’t matter. It always matters.</p>
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<p>Dartmouth’s program is structured much in the same way:</p>
<p>[Admissions</a> Interview - Optional](<a href=“http://www.dartmouth.edu/apply/admissions/firstyear/interviews.html]Admissions”>http://www.dartmouth.edu/apply/admissions/firstyear/interviews.html)</p>
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<p>Compare to Cornell:</p>
<p>[Cornell</a> University Undergraduate Admissions Office - RESOURCES](<a href=“http://admissions.cornell.edu/resources/faq_answer.cfm?num=24]Cornell”>http://admissions.cornell.edu/resources/faq_answer.cfm?num=24)</p>
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<p>Tell me about it! I’ve been doing alumni contacts since last year and all but one of the students I was assigned to contact actually responded. The only one to respond was an ED applicant who e-mailed me the day after the ED report deadline to say she wasn’t interested. </p>
<p>I try to not let it bother me, but things like this really take the fun out of making these contacts.</p>
<p>While these sessions may be formally presented as for-informational-purposes only, I personally do not treat it as such. My focus when I spend the 45 minutes with the applicant is to get as clear of an indication as possible of how interested and engaged the applicant is; I am also on the lookout for things that may not have been conveyed in the written application. I convey my thoughts - both positive and negative - to the admissions committee via the reports I submit. </p>
<p>Whether these reports are ultimately read or not I was never certain; I’m glad to hear that Cayuga’s received feedback confirming that they indeed are. I speak with as many candidates as I can fit into my schedule, and these take up a big chunk of my November and Jan - Feb weekends.</p>
<p>I do know I have had an impact at least once - an applicant was “admin withdrawn” due to some imcomplete parts of application and I went to bat for the applicant - who was re-instated and then accepted. However, I also had two applicants from the same high school - one who very much wanted to go to Cornell and one who wanted to go to ANY ivy. I tried to convey that in my reports - the any ivy kid got in but as an int’l did not get aid - the other kid was waitlisted…sigh’ I really really liked that w/l kid.</p>
<p>That’s wonderful memphismom (your first anecdote with the accepted applicant, that is). It is reassuring to hear that we (enthusiastic alumni) can make a positive difference in the outcome of the applicants we meet with. There were times that I felt that these information-only sessions were literally for informational purposes only, and for no other purpose. Knowing that we can help them encourages me to continue doing this. Thanks!</p>
<p>The blow still hurts, though, when the applicants who I really go to bat for don’t get in…</p>
<p>interview went well. interviewer was pretty too :o</p>
<p>Okay I just wanted to double check -
I thought applicants from only like the Hotel school or IRL program were contacted for interviews? Or am I wrong?</p>
<p>That’s unbelievable to me? I’ve been fighting for the past 2 years just to get a credible shot at Cornell. The dream of being able to attend has pushed me to things I never thought myself capable of but these kids can’t even find the time to show up? I would drive across the country just to spend an hour with someone that’s a part of CAAAN. I’m sorry to hear that.</p>
<p>Last year when my alumni interview report on one candidate indicated the lack of interest in our meeting and in Cornell shown by the applicant (once we finally met after several cancellations by the student), I was contacted by Cornell to find out more information. When contacted, I was told that this report stood in stark contrast to my two other glowing reviews of the two other candidates with whom I had met last year. The takeaway – the interview/information session reports are read and taken seriously by the admissions office (though I don’t believe the CAAAN reports will make or break a candidate’s application decision in the vast majority of cases).</p>
<p>Do transfer students get the option of an alumni interview or is it reserved for possible freshmen?</p>