Interview Location - Alum vs. AO

<p>If someone is a relatively weak at the interview, is it better to interview on campus or with a local alum? I am thinking that the local alum might be more sympathetic for a less than dynamic speaker and, unless it is really bad, the interview will most likely be neutral.</p>

<p>Any advice is appreciated.</p>

<p>If you can make a school interview (and certainly if you want to see the school in person anyway), try to do the interview at the school. I understand you feel like everyone here talks about how important the interview is, but it’s really only one piece. My son is not a very good interviewer-- he’s pretty quiet, NEVER leads, isn’t a particularly sparkly or quick conversationalist, and it’s difficult for him to guide the interview in any particular direction or work in any particular points. We talked to him ahead about potential questions-- not for him to practice answers (we didn’t want him to sound rehearsed), but just so he wasn’t surprised. Of course, he was very polite, tried to make eye contact, and was pretty articulate in answering questions, particularly about his interests-- and he always thought about a question or two to ask at each specific school-- but I guarantee you, he was not admitted anywhere BASED on his interview. Still, he got in everywhere he applied, including the HADES school he currently attends. That particular interview was his worst-- he said he never clicked with the interviewer at all, and she was very formal and not very enthusiastic even when she talked to us (his parents) after she interviewed him. On revisit day, she didn’t even come up and say hello to him. On the other hand, the head of admissions came over as soon as she saw his name tag, was EXTREMELY welcoming and gushed about him to us. She’d also called his school several times to express interest before revisit day. CLEARLY that was not based on his interview. And we know several other kids who also had fine but uninspired interviews who go it, So don’t worry so much about it-- I’m sure the interview helps some kids, but it’s not necessarily the deciding factor. Still, do it in person, if you can, because that definitely shows interest in the school, and they might take it as a signal you’re not so interested if you COULD go to campus but choose not to. Just don’t worry about it and try to let your son/daughter know what kinds of questions they are likely to encounter, so they’ll be less nervous. Do encourage them to expand on the topics they really care about (academically and related to ECs), so the interviewer can see what interests them. They will get asked questions that will allow them to do that.</p>

<p>I agree that it’s better to do the interview at the school if you can. You definitely don’t need to be a dynamic speaker to have a decent interview. In most cases (though not always) the school interviewers are very good at it and do a good job talking to shy/quiet/nervous/etc kids.</p>

<p>Thanks @daykidmom and @photodad. One more question: We live really far away from the schools that my son is interested in, does it help for BOTH parents to be present? Are we sending the wrong message if only one parent is there at the time of the interview? Are parents interviewed?</p>

<p>Parents are interviewed, but I believe it’s fine if only one parent is there-- some parents really can’t get away from work, and, of course, there are some single- parent households. I don’t know for sure how they look at it, but I certainly know several families where only one parent could go, and the kid was still accepted. Often both parents seem to go, but it certainly didn’t seem rare to see kids with just one parent.</p>