I was contacted today by the interviewer Harvard assigned me. She and her husband interview together, and they want to schedule an interview inside their home. I kind of feel strange about the whole deal since I have always though college interviews should be conducted in a public place (library, coffee shop, etc.). What’s your opinion? Is it a good/safe idea? I think I just won’t feel comfortable being interviewed in another’s home…
Sorry for the typos by the way!
Hmmm, well, I don’t know about the propriety of this, and it may well be that it’s perfectly acceptable, but if you are concerned about your safety, please make sure that your parents know where you are going and all the details of the time, specific address, and phone number of the interviewers. Make sure your phone is turned on so that you can be located, if necessary. Perhaps someone would be willing to drive you there and wait in the car for you to come out?
I’m sure it’s not an issue and you should not be worried, but if you are, I would follow procedures such as those outlined above.
Hmmm, well, I don’t know about the propriety of this, and it may well be that it’s perfectly acceptable, but if you are concerned about your safety, please make sure that your parents know where you are going and all the details of the time, specific address, and phone number of the interviewers. Make sure your phone is turned on so that you can be located, if necessary. Perhaps someone would be willing to drive you there and wait in the car for you to come out?
I’m sure it’s not an issue and you should not be worried, but if you are, I would follow procedures such as those outlined above.
I would talk to your counselor.
Mine said he does not allow students to interview in a persons home.
If you’re uncomfortable, definitely suggest to them that you’d be more comfortable interviewing in a Cafe or something like that:
My daughter had her Harvard interview last year at the interviewer’s house - the interviewer was a mom with young kids and I think it was easier for her this way. Neither I nor my daughter had any concerns - I dropped her off and came back later to pick her up once the interview was over. If you have concerns, I think @prospect1 has some excellent suggestions.
I was interviewed in a private home years ago – my dad drove me to the house (in a different city) and waited outside in the car. Maybe this isn’t done anymore.
“What’s your opinion?” You have nothing to worry about. That being said, if you are worried and remain uncomfortable, ask for another venue.
But let me offer this; I’ll be 100% frank. I think this generation and parents are paranoid beyond reason and common sense. Sure, I wanted to know if my kids’ playmates’ had older sibs or parents had guns in the house – I checked on that. I put them in car-seats and all that. OK. But when my wife worried about my kids’ safety in my front lawn (and my city has one of the lowest crime rates in the country), I shake my head.
During this just passed-SCEA interviewing session, several of my fellow interviewers had their emails to students IGNORED because the student didn’t believe that they’d be contacted by someone with a hotmail or gmail email address. They had to be CONVINCED they weren’t being pranked. Really?
You’ll likely face some sketchy scenarios in your life. My wife has. I suspect my two daughters will as well. I hope I’ve trained them well. A Harvard alumnus interview setting won’t be one of them.
For Ivy League alumni interviews this is not terribly uncommon.
I personally would be flexible and show up with a smile and a firm handshake. And would suggest my kid do the same. If you can’t go far enough out of your comfort zone to go to an interviewer’s house, how are you going to cope with the pressure of a top college?
I do interviews for Yale and we are instructed not to do interviews in our own home or the home of the applicant. It is felt that it would make the applicant feel awkward. I have been doing interviews for over 20 years and have never interviewed one in my home or their home. Personally, I would not want the applicant in my own home (for various reasons) and would not want to be in their home because I think it would make the interview seem too personal. I always do mine at places like Starbucks, Panera, alcove in a public library, etc.
Every year this topic comes up. Be assured, there is no “stranger danger” to an in-home interview. It is a convenience for the interviewer. As @intparent said, how are you going to cope with the pressures of a top college if you can’t get out of your comfort zone?
I had an interview scheduled that was like this for Carleton at the home of alumni. It wasn’t bad at all. In fact, when I went to it, there were other people present and several interviews going on at the same time. We just sat on the couch and talked. It was probably one of the most informal interviews, yet one of the best interviews I have done. It was only supposed to take 30 minutes or so, but our conversation extended to over an hour. Like I said, it’s an extremely relaxed environment and nothing to be worried about. If you are worried about safety, I would to as other posters suggested and have a parent wait with you