Interviewer requesting copies of recommendations?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Harvard University
1

<p>I'm in a bit of a dilemma. Today I received an email asking me to have an interview this Saturday, and to bring copies of my recommendation letters with me. One problem with this is that it leaves me only one day to ask my teachers to print me out another copy of the letter. The second, and probably bigger problem is that getting the letter would be violating my waived rights (saying that I would never see the letter). I suppose I could ask my teachers to seal their recommendations, but this seems like a lot of extra effort and time from my teachers, whom I know are very, very busy right now with their work, writing letters for scholarships, their family etc.</p>

<p>Has anyone had an interviewer ask for copies of recommendation letters? It seems like it wouldn't hurt that much to not have them with me, because I'm assuming the recommendation letters are to help describe my activities/personal qualitites, which is something I feel can be derived from a resume (which I am bringing), and of course, the interview itself.</p>

<p>Also, the email instructed me to bring a "personal letter". Does anyone have any idea what that means?</p>

<p>Any advice or thoughts is greatly appreciated.</p>

2

<p>Hmmm... I've never heard of that happening before. I'm sure that if you explain the situation to the interviewer about the recommendation letters he'll understand, since he gave you only a short time to get them.</p>

<p>A "personal letter," though... I wish I could help, but I don't know what that means.</p>

3

<p>Federation,
I'm an alum interviewer and have not before heard of an interviewer requesting such a thing, and I can't think of any legitimate reason why an interviewer would need a personal letter or copies of recommendations. I am wondering if the interviewer meant to ask for a copy of your resume, activities list or essay, which are more reasonable things to request.</p>

<p>I have no idea what a "personal letter" is.</p>

<p>My suggest is that you e-mail the interviewer thanking him/her for making time to interview you. Tell the interviewer that because of privacy reasons and your knowing how busy the teachers are right now, you are not able to ask for the letters, but give the interviewer the teachers' names and e-mails if s/he wants to ask them directly. Let the teachers know that it would be OK for them not to supply that info, too, so they don't bust butt to provide some info that the interviewer honestly doesn't need.</p>

<p>Also copy Harvard admissions on this letter, and make sure that your student ID or other info is included so they know who you are.</p>

<p>My guess is that the interviewer is a new one and doesn't really understand what s/he is supposed to do.Your copying admissions on the note will help them put the interviewers' report on you in context, and also may help admissions tactfully let the interviewer know that s/he shouldn't be asking for copies of recommendation letters or for a "personal letter" whatever that is supposed to be.</p>

<p>I do suggest bringing a resume or activities list in to the interview because the person can quickly review those things, which would leave more time for your interview. Make sure that your SAT scores, gpa, and class rank are included because Harvard asks the interviewers to obtain that info (probably to make sure that the interviewers use facts, not gut feelings, as part of assessing the applicants' intellectual achievements) and it can be easy for interviewers to forget to get that info.</p>

<p>And go to the interview prepared to focus on yourself and what you have to offer Harvard. Particularly focus on things that were not highlighted on the application. </p>

<p>If the interviewer is as I suspect inexperienced, the person may focus on things like trying to sell you on Harvard or telling stories about their own Harvard experience, none of which would provide admissions with information to evaluate you. Consequently, go in prepared to nicely, but assertively steer the interview to highlight good things about you that weren't on the application.</p>

4

<p>You wouldn't be breaking that little rule that says you can't ever see the letters. It's that specific form and information that you cannot see.</p>

<p>The law is from the 70's and is supposed to protect information, but to make things easier for the colleges, they just have you sign to waive your rights.</p>

5

<p>Thank you all for your advice. I just came back from my Harvard interview and it went pretty well. I was able to find one of the recommendations my teacher had written for a scholarship, so I included that along with a transcript, a student questionnarie that he sent to me, resume, and copies of my test scores. He seemed to be satisfied with what I gave him, so I never asked about the "personal letter".</p>

<p>I guess the "personal letter" will forever remain a mystery.</p>

6

<p>Maybe he meant the personal essays?</p>