<p>So I recently got an email from a Yale alumnus talking about an interview. The guy lives an hour away from me. In the email, he said "if you're ever in the (name of town) region, let me know and maybe we can get something together." Then he said "look forward to meeting you (I hope)." </p>
<p>So I'm assuming this interview is hardly "optional" and I pretty much need to drive there and interview. Thoughts?</p>
<p>Thaaaaaankssssss</p>
<p>yes the interview <em>is</em> optional. Honestly, these alumni interviews don’t count for a huge amount. If you want to make the effort, go ahead, but don’t obsess over it. If not, just explain that the distance is hard for you to manage, thank him for his interest, and let it go.</p>
<p>If you cannot make the trip to the alumni’s town for an interview, you might suggest having a telephone interview.</p>
<p>You can propose to do a phone or skype interview. Many people do skype interviews.</p>
<p>My opinion is that it’s in poor form to say “if you’re in the area, let’s meet”. Why don’t you email back and suggest a meeting location in between the two of you along with a series of time slots. See what he/she says.</p>
<p>I’ve been assigned students who live 1 hr or so away as well. I try to meet at least halfway if possible.</p>
<p>Hi. I’m an international from Holland and I applied to Yale EA (deferred). I was offered an alumni interview too. And guess what? It took me over three hours to get there (so six-seven hours of traveling in total), the train journey was a disaster and I got lost in a strange city. Still, I’m so happy I decided to have an interview! Not everyone gets offered one, you know. View this as an extra opportunity to let Yale know how much you like them. Just go!</p>
<p>My dilemma for me is I have no idea what to say or ask… I’m also very prone to getting extremely nervous when meeting people for the first time, especially in interview situations.</p>
<p>What should I do? I’m afraid I won’t be able to avoid this interview; the interviewer even offered to come to my school (I board here) since there is another person getting interviewed here.
ahh!!</p>
<p>krndan: may I suggest you read the following?
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/yale-university/283957-rd-applicants-interview-advice.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/yale-university/283957-rd-applicants-interview-advice.html</a></p>
<p>Read through a bit, don’t really think it helps with my problem 
I really prefer not to interview but I don’t know what to do.</p>
<p>I was never asked if I wanted an interview; the interviewer just directly emailed me out of no where. <em>sigh</em></p>
<p>the thing is my school is a very small private christian school in a very rural area. dunno how I was even able to get the chance to interview</p>
<p>krndandaman: I’ll be blunt with you and give you straight advice. If you want to better your chances of being admitted, you may want to eschew the interview altogether. </p>
<p>I’m not commenting on your being nervous but rather your fear of getting into new and uncomfortable situations. This trait will torpedo your admittance to a school like Yale which is trying to bring together incredibly dynamic and cohesive yet diverse student body. </p>
<p>Again, I’m not speaking about being socially shy or reserved – not everyone around me at Yale was super-extroverted. I am speaking about a sense of fearlessness, inquisitiveness and willingness to engage the world and the resources of Yale. My fear is you lack this and if found out, it will jeapordize your chances.</p>
<p>thanks for the input everyone. I’ll have to think about it…I don’t know an incredible amount about Yale (kind of applied after like a day of checking it out/on a whim) so I’d probably have to do some research before the interview haha</p>
<p>Not to hijack the thread, but I have a quick question regarding the interview. If I was never contacted for SCEA interview and got deferred, is there a chance I could get an interview? My classmate got an interview so I know there are interviewers in the area. I know we’re not supposed to request interviews but do you think shooting a quick email explaining my enthusiasm to interview and the fact I was not contacted during the SCE round would hurt?</p>
<p>UM32194,</p>
<p>I wouldn’t worry about the interview and I question how much it helps or hurts the applicant. My son applied to both Brown and Yale through RD. He was contacted by Brown and did have what he thought was a great interview. He never was contacted by Yale. He ended up being wait listed at both schools. He was called off the wait list by Yale and is an attending freshman. He eventually received his rejection from Brown. Based on his experience I doubt it made a difference in his selection or rejection.</p>
<p>UM–Just because there are interviewers in the area doesn’t mean there are enough interviewers in the area.</p>
<p>The email might be a minor annoyance to the ASC director (volunteer who coordinates alumni interviews in your area), but I don’t think it would hurt your in the overall process.</p>
<p>Yes, deferred EA candidates may get interviews during the RD round.</p>