<p>Hey ya'll...
first: congrats to all SCEA admits, condolonsces to deferrees/rejectees.
second: I just got an e-mail from my alumni interviewer arranging an interview. Do any of you SCEA applicants have any tips? like what kind of questions they asked, etc..? Thanks a lot...
Oh, and what level of formality is it? tie and jacket, khaki's and collar??? thanx again</p>
<p>I'm an alumni interviewer. Every interviewer is different, so I can't predict what your interview will be like. I think Khakis and a collared shirt is appropriate. I suspect you will get basic questions about academic and extracurricular interests and then the conversation will flow from what you say about those.</p>
<p>i just wore my uniform (im a girl, so plaid pleated skirt, tights, saddle oxfords, yellow blouse, and a yale sweatshirt)</p>
<p>mine was very casual. just like a conversation. she didnt have any questions prepared really..just asked kinda vague general questions. i think i was her first interview.</p>
<p>Gahh, my interview was SO INTENSE. He was a doctor who worked at Harvard (ironic much? lol) and kept asking me all these really political questions, like about stem cell research, War in Iraq, ABORTION (awkward), etc etc. Really not what I expected, plus I felt obligated to tailor my answer to what I thought a doctor at Harvard (aka extreme liberal) wanted to hear, since I'm pretty conservative myself.</p>
<p>^LOL good thinking there...maybe?</p>
<p>thanx. I'm wondering if bringing personal, moral beliefs into that kind of an interview is appropriate...I'm freaked cuz my interviewer is this woman who was key in arranging Greece's integration into the European Union. Talk about intimidating...</p>
<p>Hey. I am an Early Action admit and I have some insight to share on this topic.</p>
<p>I had both an alumni interview and an on-campus interview, as well as one alumni interview for another school that imposes a deadline, but I have sinced cancelled that application.</p>
<p>I firmly believe that my interviews helped me, though obviously I don't know to what extent. My primary advice is just to BE YOURSELF -- don't try to impress your interviewer by listing your accomplishments, being cocky, etc. Instead, treat it like a normal conversation. Be interested in them--after all, you're getting to know them too! THINK about why you want to go to Yale beforehand--Don't ask immaterial questions about the school...during my alumni interview, the interviewer said, "I think you probably know more about what Yale's like today than I do." I assume this was a good thing.</p>
<p>I was worried afterward that I didn't talk enough about my most impressive activities and accomplishments, but I realized that a) my interview had been ~2 hours of friendly, interested conversation, b) we spoke at length about the deeper aspects of my passions (politics, histoy, etc) and she seemed genuinely interested. Interviewers are human beings--the more they like you, the better their report will be.</p>
<p>My niece -- typical 4.0 uw, near-perfect SATs, outstanding ECs -- interviewed for Yale. Interviewer told her, "You're the best candidate I've ever intervied. You're perfect for Yale; Yale is perfect for you. But I have to be honest: nothing I say matters to the admissions people. I can't get you in, I have no sway." </p>
<p>She was rejected. Accepted at other Ivies & a batch of elite LACs. But rejected from Yale.</p>