<p>I didn't answer the questions well and he refused to talk about anything I was interested in, even when I tried to steer conversation to areas of my interest. I think my biggest problem was that, as a pure businessman, he couldn't connect with my engineering accomplishments and drives.</p>
<p>I aced my MIT interview and my interview over the phone with the Harvard adcom because I got ample opportunities to talk about my interests and passions.</p>
<p>PorSK,
It's too bad the alum didn't give you a chance to talk about your interests. I'm glad that you got to talk with the Harvard adcom.</p>
<p>What does adcom stand for?</p>
<p>I was never contacted by my interviewer. It's still early though. I'm going to wait a week and call the admissions office to see what's up.</p>
<p>It is very early. Many interviewers don't contact their apps until mid Feb. Inteviewers have been busy handling EA, and then pursuing their holiday plans. I don't think that my local committee has even started assigning interviewers to regular apps. When I chaired the committee , I didn't start doing that until Feb. It takes a lot of work.</p>
<p>Did you guys have to call for your interviews? I thought you just submitted your applications and people contacted you, but no alumni have called me for interviews from any colleges. Even though every place I applied sent me an acknowledgment letter.</p>
<p>Edit: Sorry, I didn't read the post above me. Thanks Northstarmom.</p>
<p>I have another question, in that case...I am going abroad until February 16th. Should I call colleges to inform them of this so that we can work out something with my interviews, or not?</p>
<p>Thanks Northstarmom. I'm glad I got a second interview too, and not just because it allowed me to redeem myself.</p>
<p>To anyone getting interviewed, try to enjoy yourself. Except for my first Harvard interview, I found the interview process gratifying. It gave me a chance to talk about myself, my interests, and my thoughts to people who actually cared. Even though I didn't end up sending in my MIT application, my interviewer related plenty useful advice to me. :)</p>
<p>It's definitely possible to bomb an interview, but let my case serve as a lesson: Harvard does give second chances, and a poor interview won't necessarily keep you out of the school.</p>
<p>To second what PorSK said, my first two interview attempts were failures, but Harvard was helpful in setting me up with someone for a third and successful interview.</p>