I’ve just been contacted for an alumni interview and the interviewer has suggested that we could meet at her house, but I think I would be much more comfortable meeting in a coffee shop or another public place. I don’t know how to politely suggest somewhere else?
This has come up many times before. Is the alum young? Older? Might they have a disability of some kind that might impede their ability to travel to a coffee shop? If you are really uncomfortable , and dont havve a parent who can sit at a nearby shop and wait for you, you can look up a nearby Starbucks or what have you and ask if you could possibly meet there.
Has she provided you her address yet? If she did, look for a coffee shop or appropriate place as close to her house as possible and tell her you would feel more comfortable at a public place and are suggesting a place as close to her home as possible. If she is not willing, request a new interviewer.
Class of 84 so I don’t imagine too old. She did say that we could meet elsewhere if it was more convenient for transport, but since I’ll be driving… Looking up a café and suggesting that is a good idea, thanks
Probably mid 50s so not old at all. When you suggest a place, find out if it has good seating and avoid the busiest times. Google provides the info on busiest/ least busy by the hour. Good luck on your interview.
Why are you uncomfortable? Some people maintain nice homes and like to show them off. It is also a chance to see more about the interviewer personally and look for ways to bond with them beyond just the school connection. Assuming you have no safety concerns (honestly, since it is a woman, you are most likely fine in that area), I’d go to her house. Showing you have good manners and can conduct yourself with poise in various settings can only help you.
I agree with @intparent on this. I have never heard of anyone having a bad experience at an interviewer’s home, but I have heard of bad experiences at cafes and the like. Public places are not always the best for interviews. There are many distractions, crying babies, nosy eavesdroppers, etc… No university would risk its reputation by allowing interviews to be conducted in a private home if they weren’t 100% certain there was no risk.
My D had interviews in mostly public places and there were a few awkward things that happened, which is fine too. She wasn’t wild about going to a male interviewer’s home, but she did it and it was fine. Not her best interview, but exactly as INTparent said, yet another way to show poise and confidence in a different setting. I think it’s rude to change the location unless there is a compelling reason.
I don’t see any likely downside to having the interview at her home. If the interviewer is more comfortable there, it might well make the interview go better.
I do wonder what school this is. My D has had interviews scheduled in public places for Georgetown and Harvard, and I know they have some pretty specific rules for interviewers. I don’t know if they specifically say interviews should be at a public place or an office, though they might. Hopefully, this interviewer is following her college’s recommendations, whatever they are.
This sounds like a trap. She’s obviously a cat lady or a hoarder, or worse… both.
Good luck on your interview.
my two kids each had an interview at a private home. In each case I drove them and sat in the car nearby. The interviewers were both women for what it’s worth. I didn’t give it any thought, but I do know that my own school (when I signed up as an alum interviewer) suggested that interviewers do not do this.
Thanks for all the replies! I guess it’s only that I’ve heard that interviewers shouldn’t interview in their homes and also because I’m in the UK where university interviews are only ever conducted at the universities themselves that it puts me off… Anyway I’ve left it open with her, you’re right about it being potentially a good thing.
I believe in the litigious US environment, colleges almost HAVE to tell their volunteers not to engage in anything that’s remotely risky. Many older interviewers were chafed at this suggestion of impropriety and pushed back, I know. They felt “I’m already donating my time and effort – now you’re suggestion something untoward?”
It was explained that given today’s environment when applicants come from a variety of economic backgrounds, having the student in the alum’s home could be intimidating or put out the wrong message. Similarly, meeting in the student’s home could cause unnecessary stress if the applicant family otherwise felt the need to “impress” the big, college interviewer. Thus the suggestion to conduct interviews in open venues (cafes, libraries, offices, the applicant’s HS, etc.)
In a pinch a few years ago (when my babysitting fell through), I had to divert, at the last minute, two interviews to my home. I’ve not repeated it simply to remain above board.
Personally, I would feel nothing about having my kids (both girls) interview at a person’s home. But that’s me. I don’t judge parents for their decisions and frankly, welcome their accompanying their kids to my meeting venues (I clarify that they’re not to be within earshot of my interview, of course) and easily chat with them afterward.