<p>I’ve interviewed for Brown in three states over 25 years (including in Manhattan), and never once has a kid told me their stats. I’ve never seen essays, never seen applications - and never want to. Brown pays admissions officers to read their applications, that’s not my job. I don’t understand why alumni interviewers need to see any stats at all – it is totally up to admissions to determine whether a student is qualified based on numbers, not me.</p>
<p>I’ve had students bring resumes to interviews, but I usually don’t look at them. I never ask them to bring them, and would never, never hold it against a student for not bringing it. Again – Brown sees their activity sheets. It is duplication of effort if I do. My job is to provide information that Brown does NOT see. </p>
<p>Just goes to show how incredibly different the interview process can be – which means how confusing it can be for students.</p>
<p>I had a horrible Alum interview for Brown (“So I see you put all your eggs in one Brown Basket” <sneer>) and I am determined never to do that to anyone I interview. My experience as a Brown interviewer has been similar to fireandrain, and I think that’s the way Dean Miller wants it. I prefer not seeing the stats so that I can approach the interview without preconceived notions. A resume can be useful for those who need to be drawn out a little, but I have never required one.
I don’t see why alum interviewers should have unfettered access to all the confidential info on an application. These kids are laying themselves bare to strangers, and quite frankly, the only qualification to be an alumni interviewer is to be an alum! It’s not like we undergo background checks. We are not admissions officers. We screen for major pathology, act as ambassadors for the school, and try to get to know the applicant a bit.
It is a presumption to think we should be evaluating their stats and essays.
Just my 2 cents.</sneer></p>
<p>I am not an alum interviewer but I wholeheartedly agree with Fireandrain and musimomz. With my son’s 2 previous interviews, he brought a resume and never had the need to bring it out. Both went pretty well, and 1 interviewer at the end even gave my son very positive feedback (about the interview itself). My son really liked Brown when we did the campus visit. Reading views from 2 Brown alums, I really hope he does well with his interview next week and make it in.</p>
<p>I’m wondering what Brown asks Alumni to report. We are asked for specific examples of academic and EC accomplishments which a resume is very helpful in giving the school the specifics they seek. One applicant recently mentioned a Congressional medal. I made note of it but didn’t fully understand what getting it entailed until I looked over what she left with me. Students often leave me published writing or research with helps flesh out their depth of passion for me.</p>
<p>Brown alums are asked to explain why the applicant wants to go to Brown and whether their explanation is genuine and thoughtful.</p>
<p>We’re asked to describe their intellectual qualities, whether there is evidence of curiosity and depth, and if the student will take advantage of the Brown curriculum. (I’d rather have a conversation here about a research paper the student wrote, their favorite book, a class or teacher they liked, current events, etc. – again, Brown will know if they won an Intel)</p>
<p>There is a question about extracurriculars, and what experiences the applicant would bring to Brown. (I don’t include a laundry list in my write-ups – I’d rather understand what the student actually accomplished in their EC, what they enjoyed about it, what their role was, etc.)</p>
<p>And then we’re supposed to describe the candidate’s personal qualities (will the student be a good roommate, lab partner, etc.).</p>
<p>The paper form that Harvard interviewers used to fill out had spaces for the interviewers to fill in for standardized test scores and rank. The new online form they started using a couple of years ago has those same fields, but now they are labeled optional. The rest of the form seeks the same sort of information the Brown interviewer describes. I have always asked for the standardized info, based on many years of filling out the old form.</p>