So here’s the situation. I had set a time, date, and location with my interviewer. The location was at her house. Unfortunately, I had to email her yesterday to change the location, as my mother informed me that under no circumstances would I go to a person’s house for an interview (she said this yesterday).
I feel like that was bad enough - changing the location on her last minute. But then my mother tells me today that she won’t allow me to leave the house because of the snow, and that she wants me to postpone. (I should note that the new location was closed, but I theoretically could have offered to go to a local Starbucks or something.)
I did, against my wishes (road conditions are not that bad). I could tell my interviewer was annoyed as her responses were curt. She offered me a new date and time, but unfortunately I have an appointment thirty minutes after, so I asked if it could be earlier. She hasn’t responded yet.
My question is - did I mess up? Princeton is a huge reach for me in the first place, so I’m not worried about this interview somehow counting against me. But I’m worrying that I’m causing my interviewer to jump through too many hoops just to meet me, and now I feel bad. What do you guys think?
(P.S. Sorry for any mistakes. I know I’ll find at least one after I post, and it will bother me immensely. Grr!)
be honest with her about this when you meet her about why you had to change time and location. and stop letting your mom meddle too much in such things if you strongly believe you are right. she wont be with you at college.
Yes I know (obviously) that she won’t be with me at college! Unfortunately for me, I got stuck with an overbearing parent (which some of my friends don’t seem to understand when I told them about my problem).
Thank you for your suggestion! I think that’s what I do.
honestly, what do people think is going to happen if a high school senior has an interview with the alumni of a leading university at his or her house? I really believe that people overthink these things…there has not been a wave of people being assaulted at their college interviews.
Oops . . . I probably should have followed up on this. I did have my interview and more mess-ups occurred (I accidentally pocket-dialed her!) but as she was two hours late to the local cafe in our area, I think that she was feeling guilt than annoyance (although I wasn’t annoyed at her - her son was sick and obviously she needs to tend to him, plus she did let me know why she was late immediately after I texted her).
@mintyicedtea I wouldn’t say it’s inappropriate, my Harvard interview was at the guy’s house and it went absolutely fine, and in fact it was almost more comfortable not to be in a public setting. However, I do happen to know that Princeton interviewers are instructed not to schedule interviews at their homes, so I’m not entirely sure how picpacpoe originally scheduled an interview that way in the first place
Wow, I didn’t know that! Both my friend and I (with different Princeton alumni) had interviews scheduled at their respective homes. They were pretty late too - hers was at 8:00 PM, and mine was at 8:30 PM (maybe it’s not super late, but most of mine have been in the afternoon or around 4:00 PM or 5:00 PM.
@picpacpoe Hmm, that’s strange. Both of my parents are interviewers, and that’s just what they told me. However, they could be wrong or the interviewers you described may not be aware of all the instructions. In any case, I’m sure your interview report will not be affected by your location, and I think you have perfectly reasonable reasons for trying to change the time/place of it. Best of luck in your application and interview!
Guessing that the interviewer, who obviously has kids, did not want to have to hire a babysitter. But then the interviewer should schedule interviews at times he/she knows the kids are in someone else’s care or the interview should take a break from interviewing until the kids are older. Interviews should not be in the home of either involved. It is inappropriate regardless of how small the risk is. Candidates should not have to deal with being in someone else’s home even if it is a safe place.
Funny that you mention that, when rescheduling the date, there were many times she couldn’t do simply because her husband was working late (not available to take care of the kids) and so it was unfeasible for her!
To everybody who responded (if you still look at this thread):
Thank you to all who offered your help. I sort of wished I took a breath before posting my panicky post, because I feel like people judge me, haha. Thankfully it was fine.
Unfortunately for me, I got stuck with an overbearing parent (which some of my friends don’t seem to understand when I told them about my problem).