<p>would interviewing w/ an alumni representative be to my disadvantage or possible my advantage? would the school think i wasn't too interested in coming if i couldn't make it across the country (money is the reason), or would they think i was hiding something? or would they not get a clear description of my personality and maybe the representative was biased towards who would fit in at their school.. or maybe it could be to my advantage because it would be more personal? helppppp i don't know what to do.</p>
<p>I would think they have enough people in your circumstance and have been through this process enough that it would be neutral - neither an advantage or disadvantage. However, I would work on selling myself and my interest STRONGLY to an alumni rep.</p>
<p>My daughter has just completed the interviews for the five prep schools that she planned on applying to. There was a wide range of experiences. A few were very cozy, "get to know each other" type conversations. There was one "grilling" (from a "top" tier school) that consisted of very stock questions
like "describe a diffucult situation". It was very cold. Another (also a top tier school with high volumes) was conducted by one of the coaches, and was more of an "informational session" than it was an interview. Not sure this had any value in helping her chances of admission .. but so be it. </p>
<p>In sum .. not sure how important interviews really are. You could certainly establish a good rapport with the admissions staff ... or hurt your chances if you bomb ... but for the most part it is an exchange of questions to learn about each other. The parents interview part is 90% questions to the school from the parents. </p>
<p>A remote interview with an alumni could also certainly open doors for you if you make a good impression. I have been an alumni interviewer for my college
in the past and my input was "official" and placed in the students application for admission. Probably didn't carrry the same "weight" as that of the Director of Admissions ... but it was counted nevertheless.</p>