<p>I just got contacted about my interview. It would be at a guy’s office 57 miles away. Is it really worth driving an hour there and back for a “20 minute informal meeting?”</p>
<p>Haha, are you in the Michigan area? I just got an email exactly like that.</p>
<p>Yup. I would have thought that there was an alumni in Ann Arbor, only about 25 minutes away from me.</p>
<p>Can you do one by phone?</p>
<p>I don't know. That would be much better than driving for 2 hours. I'll call, explain my situation, and see what he says. The email also said they had a record number of applicants, so they may not have enough slots.</p>
<p>Oh god. I don't want a record number of applicants. :(</p>
<p>Ha, it's not like it will go down.</p>
<p>IMO-an interview is not a requirement, but an opportunity. It is a chance for you to determine if you feel Brown is a match for you, and vice versa. You may find that after meeting the Alum, you will rate your college choices differently. It certainly is better to spend 2 hours now, then to fly out to Brown should you be accepted, and then decide it is not a match for youl
It also is an chance for you to present all that is exceptional about you, and review with the Alum what sets you apart from your competition. Carpe Diem!</p>
<p>Are you evaluated in the interviews or just given a chance to ask questions? The assistant soccer coach/ alum did a college visit at our school, and I was the only real applicant at the meeting. I know I want to go to Brown. If that is all that this interview is, I have no desire to drive 2 hours for it.</p>
<p>Ungst-Your choice. It doesn't sound like this was a specific interview, but rather a time when the alum made themselves available to answer questions of prospective applicants. A very different focus. If this Alum was impressed with you, they may have taken the time to alert the admis.office about you. A good thing. By taking the time for a more "formal" interview, you may be able to wrap up your decision, and they may be able to do the same-especially if you are on the borderline of being accepted. Again, your time, your call.</p>
<p>It sure shows your interest!!!</p>
<p>There are two possibilities.</p>
<ol>
<li> The Ann Arbor alum are too busy with a huge number of applicants--in which case you'd better go the extra mile to distinguish yourself.</li>
</ol>
<p>or </p>
<ol>
<li> Adcom misjudged your location in which case it is fair to ask for a phone interview. Interviews are generally meant to verify the applicaiton--make sure you match up to what's been reviewed.</li>
</ol>
<p>What should I wear to my Brown alum interview? It will be held in the interviewer's office (he's a lawyer), but it's on a Saturday, so I'm guessing things will be more casual. Would a sportcoat, sweater, and dress slacks be okay? I'm a guy.</p>
<p>szzi: Every alum is different, but if a kid showed up wearing a sportcoat and dress slacks for an interview with me I would be turned off. I always tell the students I interview to dress casually. How about khakis and a nice shirt -- either button down or a golf-type shirt?</p>
<p>ungst: I have asked students to drive more than an hour to interviews with me. I expect that if they want to go to Brown they will make the effort to come to the interview. If the student had a good reason why they can't make the drive (they don't have a car, they don't have a driver's license, they have a schedule that makes the time commitment impossible), I would do a telephone interview. My interviews tend to last at least an hour, though, not 20 minutes, and are one-on-one. If this is a group interview situation, that's a different story. You could also call the admissions office and ask their opinion. If one of my applicants told me it "wasn't worth the drive" I wouldn't be impressed.</p>
<p>So far, there are more than 18,700 applications received, which yes, I believe is a record number.</p>
<p>I would definately go if it was going to be an hour interview. My problem is that the email said "Time slots are available on Saturday January 20, and February 10, 2007, between 9:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. The interview will be conducted in my offices on an informal basis, and will last approximately 20 minutes."</p>
<p>2 hours of driving for 20 minutes? Honestly, this guy doesn't seem like he is all that enthusiastic or is going out of his way. His email tells you to talk to his assistant, and he has "slots" that are limited. It is a turn off and doesn't want to make me go out of my way.</p>
<p>BTW, d went from Maine to Boston to have a college interview of 30 minutes. (This wasn't for Brown, but for a midwestern lac.) This was way more than a 2 hour round trip.</p>
<p>In my humble opinion, it isn't up to the interviewer to go out of his way. He is doing this as a volunteer and will have to write up the interview as well. This is an extra commitment on top of his real job and life. </p>
<p>Can't you take advantage of the trip in some way? Drive with a friend and chat or listen to a book on tape?</p>
<p>ungst...time to grow up. </p>
<p>The best interviews in the world are done by very busy, very talented people. If you can't make a memorable pitch in twenty minutes then you are going to have to give a pass to many many great opportunities.</p>
<p>You are insulted by the circumstances. Get over it and get on with it.</p>
<p>All I was saying that I was suprised that there was nobody closer, and that the email sent makes the guy seem like he is treating the interviews as a chore and is uninterested. All my other interviews have been 15 minutes away and very flexable.</p>
<p>it looks really bad if you refuse an interview. and if it is going really well it will not end in just 20 minutes. if it was me i would definetely go.</p>
<p>I'm going to call and go.</p>