Interviewer wants to come to our home?

Parents Forum
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<p>Ummm … don’t need to do this, because Brown already tells interviewers to meet at a neutral, public location.</p>

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<p>Geezum, I was just letting off some steam. I am sure that by next year I will find a better spot for interviews, like I did in my old home. I am sure there are locations that are not noisy where I can hold a private location. I love doing these interviews, I truly enjoy meeting these high school students, and I’m not going to stop just because I had a few interviews in loud coffeeshops.</p>

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<p>I had always thought the alumni interviews were more about keeping the alumni involved, particularly in this day and age where so much can be learned about the colleges online (CC!), video tours, college blogs/reports etc etc. Interesting insights.</p>

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<p>Sorry, Fireandrain. I truly did not mean to come off sounding as harsh as that came out. You’ve been quite gracious and I have not. Again my apologies…</p>

<p>It’s just that as the interviewer for a highly desired school with such low accept rates whether you have any iinput at all in the decision factor, you do wield a alot of power over applicants and families. They are at a loss when the venue is not one they want. There are two current posts by CC kids on the board. One does not want to go to the interviewer’s house but is scared to say so. Another doesn’t want to interview but is scared that it would affect the decision and you know, I have no idea if Dartmouth does count that against an applicant. MIT does and says so right out that if they offer, you had better accept. Makes a kid feel real comfortable, especially if the venue suggested is not one wanted. </p>

<p>I tend to side with those who are more vulnerable and in the case of interviews, it is clearly the student and family. They do not need the process to come in person into their home, unless they suggest it themselves, nor should they have to go into a stranger’s house if they do not want to do so. You have no idea if the young person was ever raped or molested in such a scenario in the past, or what the reason is for the aversion. With top high schools staff, clergy, pirests, counsleors teachers, all being exposed as serial molesters, it’s no wonder people are jumpy about things like this.</p>

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<p>As the parent of a high schooler, I hope interviews are evaluative. A couple he has coming up are with reps from schools that don’t use an essay as part of their supplement. My son’s comment was “Great!, I can finally explain to them why I’m such a great fit for this school!” His feeling is that his required Common App essays do reveal a match for the schools he’s applied to, but only in general terms. </p>

<p>His hope is that the interviewer will say that he’s not only qualified, but he’s someone who will be a great addition to the campus because he so clearly articulates why he would love to attend and how he’ll contribute if admitted.</p>

<p>He doesn’t need information about the schools, but is happy to hear anecdotes, particularly when the interviewer has additional/insider knowledge about programs or activities of interest to both of them. </p>

<p>And, as others have said, these kids are busy and stressed. If these interview don’t mean anything, let’s drop them. He’s spending several hours a week right now preparing and going to them, not to mention all that extra time shaving :)</p>

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<p>cpt, I do not want to be your official cheerperson, but I agree so much with what you say. You write much better than I do.</p>

<p>Things I strongly agree: “I tend to side with those who are more vulnerable and in the case of interviews, it is clearly the student and family.” Yes! yes! yes! </p>

<p>As I mentioned in one of my previous posts, there are a few most-selective schools, and those schools receive thousands of applications. Hence the power relation is completely skewed. One bad interview may represent a loss of 1/20000 for a school like Brown, while it may represent a loss of 1/10 or perhaps 1/20 for a student.</p>

<p>To those who think that people going to their homes or students going to other people’s homes is not a big deal, what if the student think it is? Also, why do you think Duke and Brown recommend a neutral location? It is because a neutral location <em>is</em> better. And as discussed here, it is possible to find a quiet, neutral place.</p>

<p>Let me also say that I 100% agree with this from riverrunner: “these kids are busy and stressed. If these interview don’t mean anything, let’s drop them.”</p>

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<p>Kurz, I’m pretty sure you’ve hit it on the head. I’m sure there are schools that require the interview and use it to evaluate candidates but in the vast majority of cases, it won’t make a bit of difference. In rare cases it can hurt but almost never does it help. I know this from the standpoint of interviewer and of parent.</p>

<p>A great place to interview is the local public library. There are often quiet rooms that can be reserved in advance.</p>

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<p>“Unfortunately I think that is the case. I agree that he is probably just “old school” and due to his age, he no longer has an office to conduct interviews. I also think that it would just never occur to someone of his generation to conduct an interview in a Starbucks or Barnes and Noble. We forget that the informality that is now so much a part of our society is a relatively recent trend.”</p>

<p>You guys are a little weird about what a 68 yo is like. They are hardly one foot in the grave or elderly. My favorite 65 yo runs marathons, listens to contemporary music and meets me at Starbucks all the time.</p>

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<p>Keeping your alumni and donor base happy by pretending they matter beyond the dollars? Aren’t interviewers supposed to be cheerleaders and provide positive vibes to candidates who MIGHT make a decision that influences yield? Waving pompons and selling the school all seem worth something to the school. </p>

<p>Hearing about the school from someone who has been there or is involved with the school might also be be beneficial to an applicant. </p>

<p>Now, as far as opinion, at best the interviewer could comment about a student FIT to the school on a social and perhaps SES basis and offer an insight to the adcoms to help them meeting the institutional objectives. </p>

<p>So far, there is nothing about … measuring the aptitude and qualifications of the applicants. And that is because that is NOT the role of an NON ADCOM interviewer, although many seem to cling to that misguided notion. </p>

<p>Is it a waste? As long as there will be volunteers, the adcoms will put up with the process, and even pretend it matters. Not the first or last time a school will say something they are very far from believing in or acting on. </p>

<p>For applicants, it is mostly a source of stress, worries, and a waste of time. A process best avoided for most.</p>

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<p>I agree with Xiggi, but I am not prepared to commit as to which schools would take umbrage if an applicant declines to interview. MIT, at least, says so right out that your chances are compromised 10 fold by not interviewing when offered. Other schools are vague. Look at Yale’s, Stanford’s website and it’s rather cryptic in that they say not everyone is offered an interview. Leaves those wondering why they are not being interviewed while others are.</p>

<p>For Harvard, I know a number of kids accepted without an interview when the scheduling fell through and another interview could not be scheduled. My son’s best friend and the mom went into a panic when they could not get an interview scheduled after two cancellations, one on part of the student, one due to the interviewer who was supposed to call and reschedule and did not do so. He was accepted, and DS’s school says that has happened a few times. But that was then, who knows what the story is now</p>

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<p>Although I don’t want to stir up more debate, I did want to come back and update what happened. I am surprised at so many of the mean comments but really was grateful for those of you who gave me such good advice.</p>

<p>The interview went great! He did end up coming later, around 8:45 and stayed until almost 10:00. I still do think that is too late but I guess our lifestyle is different than most people. Anyway, I spent the entire day cleaning, doing yardwork and just perfecting the house. Our floorplan is open so almost all rooms can be seen from the formal living room so I made sure everything was presentable and did the extra fluffing of the pillows. I prepared a tray of snacks, nothing big deal, just cheese, crackers, cookies and candy and had drinks ready to go so that DS could do it himself quickly. </p>

<p>When the interviewer came, he didn’t look that old at all! He was so nice and very personable, we all liked him instantly. DH and I greeted him at the door with DS while DD kept the dog in her room along with a bag of dog treats and he never barked once-whew. We showed him into the living room, offered snacks and drinks which he declined and then excused ourselves so DS could talk alone. I could tell that the interviewer was grateful we made the move to leave ourselves because there was a second that I think he was prepared to ask us to leave. I guess some parents want to stay and chit chat but we wanted DS to have the most time possible without any interference from us.</p>

<p>DS LOVED him! He happened to not only have graduated from the specific college and field that DS wants to go into but he also works nearby at a place DS could see himself working in the future. While the interview was supposed to be somewhat of an evaluation and chance for DS to sell himself, it turned out to be more of a sales job for the college and it worked! DS was so excited after the interview about this specific college that it moved high up on his list. They had some conversation about what the interviewer was currently working on and he sent DS a paper he was writing and about to publish for DS’s feedback. DS thought the paper was SO impressive that it just make him respect the interviewer even more. Although DS said he still does prefer meeting at a neutral place, he was comfortable and really enjoyed the interview. Had it been earlier, I’m sure it would have gone longer but they were both tired and DS was mindful that the interviewer still had a bit of a drive back home. </p>

<p>There is so much to be said for the colleges that made the effort to match DS up with interviewers who are in the field DS wants to study. Those interviews have really made such a difference in the ease of conversation and those alumni have really been persuasive in convincing DS to want to go to their schools. I know that it’s not always possible but it sure does help and these interviews have just been a big learning experience for DS and a confidence builder for him too. </p>

<p>The first bunch of interviews were over the summer at the colleges and he enjoyed those a lot more because they were usually set up around tours and he had the chance to talk to students, see classes, etc… If you are just starting out, I’d recommend doing as many of those as you can. The alumni interviews have been all over the board from wonderful informational conversations to grilling inquisitions. The worst one was the phone interview as it just seems so impersonal. DS didn’t get much out of that phone call. He has a skype one coming up and is dreading that one because we have terrible internet here so he has to take his laptop and find somewhere else to do it. He applied to a lot of schools (searching for finaid) and every school but one has contacted him and set up an interview.</p>

<p>Thank you once again for all of your posts, good and bad and I hope someone else will find the information useful when the interviewer wants to come to their home.</p>

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<p>how would anyone know for sure if the result of the alumni interview made a difference or not? any fact to backup either claim.</p>

<p>ps, it seems odd that the alumni has the address of the applicant. my son had several interviews so far, he was under the impression that only his email and phone number are available to interviewer.</p>

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<p>I used to do these interviews for Brown & I did them either in my home or at the town library (next door to the high school). Nowadays I would never suggest a student come to my house for all the security & CYA reasons we have come to know. Back then the students were happy not to have them at their houses because of the barking dogs, siblings (or parents) leaning on the door listening, etc. This guy just sounds like he is “old school.” </p>

<p>I am for neutral territory, like the Starbucks or other sandwich shop. As the spouse of an hearing aid user, I can tell you that the clatter in restaurants is extremely annoying to people with hearing loss, and makes understanding the person seated at the same table almost impossible. So I understand why he might not have liked the Starbucks idea. </p>

<p>And, 8 pm is positively early for college students! There ain’t nobody going to bed at 9 pm where your son will go, unless he is going to enter a military academy, and that’s early for them, too.</p>

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<p>BTW for you folks who think 68 year olds have one foot in the grave— take a look at Mick Jagger struttin around on a stage</p>

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<p>Thanks for the update! Glad it went so well for your son.</p>

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<p>myboby–Brown told us that the interview serves several purposes—</p>

<p>One, it gives the student a chance to ask things about the school if they want. If interviewer is a recent alum this might be the first chance they have had to get straight-from-the-(recent)-student info. This is more likely in the case of distant students who have not been able to visit the campus. For such students, the interviewer is “the face of X school” to the applicant. </p>

<p>Two – the report from the interviewer serves to confirm what the AO is seeing from other sources, especially letters and the essay/s. </p>

<p>Three – sometimes the interviewer picks up on something that has not come through from other sources. This might be something that casts favorable light on the student, or it might be something that sets off alarm bells. In either case, the school is glad to have it. </p>

<p>When the school is one with very low accept rate, it is still going to be hard for the interviewees to be admitted. Having an interview is not going to make your chances suddenly become one in 4 if the school’s overall rate is one in 10. But, if your interviewer winds up alerting them to something that did not come through elsewhere, why would you not want it? </p>

<p>Schools are not doing this solely to keep their alums happy. There are many things they can do to meet that goal without the time-consuming interviewing program and constantly begging alums to sign up. They do it for the reasons I cited.</p>

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<p>thanks for your explanation JRZmom. i didn’t ask the question precisely. do you know for a fact that someone didn’t get in to a “dream school” because of a bad interview? i understand the benefits of alumni interview fully.</p>

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<p>Thanks for the update. I hope your son kept his contact information and stays in touch with him. He would be a great resources for internships or future jobs!!</p>

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<p>Myboby, I do. My brother’s SO had an strong advocate from a faculty member who is also a “celebrity” at the school. Well known former public figure. She applied to this ivy and was waitlisted. When the faculty member found out, he immediately went to admissions and raised a stink, and she was accepted on the spot. Brother and SO watched it on real time as her status went from WL to accepted. The question was asked why she was denied and the answer was poor feedback from alumni interview.</p>

<p>Another case, legacy kid denied with terrific stats. Father asked and the two reasons given were scanty ECs and bad interview. School counselor who also talked to that admissions office told parents that kid should opt out of any further interviews, which he did. Was accepted to the two highly selective schools where he let his records do “The talking”. And yes, he was not a good interveiwer, knowing him.</p>

<p>My one son’s best friend got into Harvard. He and DS both bombed their private high school interviews and had the distinction of having the highest stats to be declined any scholarship money from a school. Yeah. I remember this so well. When college time came, kid had to cancel Harvard interview due to near death of his sister in ICU. Another one did not get scheduled and parents were so distraught. He was rejected from all of the ivies that interviewed him including Brown and was accepted by Harvard. Graduated this year, in fact. </p>

<p>My son was rejected so fast from Cornell Hotel Management School it made our head spin. Right after the interview–rolling admissions. Got accepted to his second choice at Cornell with no interview. </p>

<p>So, yes, i believe a bad interview can tank you.</p>

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<p>Glad to hear that your son’s interview went well. Also glad it wasn’t me doing yardwork and fluffing pillows, though. :)</p>

<p>I was thinking about a comment from earlier in the thread:</p>

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<p>My take would be that the internet (and places like CC) have taken some of this role from what the interview might have provided 10-15 years ago. I know there are people out here who will argue for the “in person touch”, but I am just saying that we can get so much more information and chat online with other people with first hand experience compared to the “old days”. And that was one of the big reasons for an interview in the past. Not the only one, and I am not predicting the demise of the interview. Just saying.</p>

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<p>I like the idea of the personal touch. I’m a “people” person, so I’d like to sit and chat with someone who has been at the school and I do have many questions for such situations. The problem is that there is the evaluative element to the interview that quashed spontaneity and puts a pall on the whole situation. Even at schools where the interview is not considered evaluative, a detrimental note written by an interviewer can possibly affect decisions. We are talking about schools that are looking to cull the applicants any which way they can. How can they ignore a negative report? Yale turned down kids who got less than perfect check marks on the evaluative sheets that GCs filled out in days of yore that most references now flat out refuse to fill out because you can’t honestly, and expect a kid to get accepted without giving them perfect 10s. And the process is even more competitive these days. </p>

<p>I disagree with what MIT is doing. I don’t see how one can train and vet all of those alums to do the process consistently and fairly. Just because one graduates from a school does not make one a good judge of character and personality for it. MIT couldn’t even vet its own Director of Admissions appropriately and it has squads of alums making judgements on applicants. I shudder. Even with a loose nut in the Admissions office, the process itself though momentum and sheer magnitude gets into a roll that tends to be overall fair, but with an army of very different people who only do this a very small fraction of the time, I see a lot of issues that are just not good.</p>