<p>So I have my most important interview (with HARVARD, my NUMBER ONE SCHOOL) in my house.</p>
<p>Any tips and suggestions specifically for interviews in one's own home?</p>
<p>hm...clean up beforehand?</p>
<p>Obviously clean, but other than that, it's like any other place: it's just the location of the interview. The main purpose isn't to see how you live, it's mostly to see who you are as an applicant. Don't be nervous.</p>
<p>Take him hostage then demand immediate admission for ransom.</p>
<p>did you have a choice of location?
that's pretty scary, cause my box is crappy</p>
<p>Just make sure the room/area where you'll actually be interviewed is private, ie your parents/others aren't around when it's being conducted.</p>
<p>My son's very first college interview was at our home. We thought it was kind of weird, too, but the alumni interviewer had a meeting in our city earlier that day and he offered to come by afterwards. If he hadn't, we would have had to travel 25 miles to his office or his home, so it was really convenient for us that he came to the house. </p>
<p>I think it helped my son feel more at ease because he was in familiar surroundings. The interview lasted 90 minutes, which was actually good because it was great practice for the interviews to come. </p>
<p>The only suggestion would be that you not dress any less formally than you would if you were interviewing anywhere else. Just because you're at home doesn't mean you should wear shorts and flip flops. Try to do the interview in a room away from the rest of the family and tell your parents to make themselves scarce for the duration. Oh, and offer the interviewer something to drink - iced tea, coffee, ice water, Coke, something like that - then get down to business. Relax - and good luck!</p>
<p>Keep in mind that the interviewer isn't coming to rate your house but to learn about you.</p>
<p>I advise asking the rest of your family to stay away from either the house or where you'll be interviewing. You'll be more comforable without your parents and sibs listening in. </p>
<p>It would be polite to offer the person a soft drink or something like that.</p>
<p>Otherwise, however, think more about making sure you're prepared for the interview -- resume or activities list/ have looked at Harvard's web site so you don't ask obvious questions and so you do have a reasonable sounding reason for applying and for seeing what you have to offer Harvard.</p>
<p>I used to be an Alumni Interviewer. I did most interviews at the student's house, because it was easier for the students and I had a toddler at my house! I did one at a mall foodcourt (the student suggested it, but it was a bad idea).</p>
<p>I wasn't there to judge the house.</p>
<p>Use a quiet, comfortable but fairly public area of the house. The living room or kitchen table both work fine, as long as there are no noisy siblings or pets running around. Northstarmom's suggestion of offering a soft drink or water would be nice.</p>
<p>I think your parents should be home (what parent in their right mind would let a strange adult into the house with their child if they weren't home?) but they should be in another room. I never minded the parents overhearing our conversation, but I didn't want them answering FOR their child. (You may feel differently, depending on your relationship with your parents and what questions you are planning to ask!) I always asked the parents if they'd like to speak with me or ask any questions after the interview.</p>
<p>Good luck, relax and be your best self. (Sounds like Oprah - ugh!- but you know what I mean).</p>
<p>Great advice, everyone!</p>
<p>Thank you!</p>
<p>hehe, I'm having my MIT interview at my house tomorrow! I thought it was very gracious of the alum to agree to come to my house. </p>
<p>I also appreciate the advice, thanx ppl :)</p>
<p>Also, make sure someone gets the phone when it rings</p>
<p>Be on the look out for when they are supposed to come...if your street is poorly lit, or house #s hard to see, if you are looking out the window for them, you can go outside if you see a lost person</p>
<p>Be ready at least 20 minutes before they are due to come...often a person tries to judge the time it takes to arrive and may allow for extra time, so may indeed be there early, so you want to be ready</p>
<p>Have a copy of your resume handy, in a folder on the table....you can offer it to the interviewer to take if they like, if not, not a big deal, but you want it handy in case they ask for one</p>
<p>As soon as they walk out the door, write a thank you note....mention something from the interview, but don't be to lo9ng or fawning, be yourself</p>
<p>My D has some very nice thank you cards t all times for things like this</p>
<p>It will be just fine...</p>
<p>ps-- brush your teeth before and you can have a small tray of cookies on the table</p>
<p>I would have a pitcher of water ready, or a soda, or coffee if you can, so you don't have to take to long to get it</p>