<p>I know that Union encourages applicants to interview. I'm just curious....are the interviews evaluative? who from Union conducts the interviews? how far in advance should you schedule an interview?
And separately, if I come up to visit Union again and interview, can I sit in on a class, eat in the dining hall etc.?
Thanks.</p>
<p>Hi happy1,</p>
<p>The interviews are evaluative. After each interview, the interviewer will do a 3/4 page - 1 page write up that is considered as part of the application. Interviews can be conducted by Admissions Counselors, seniors on campus who give interviews while we are visiting high schools, and alumni. All interviews carry the same weight in the review process, so if you cannot make it back to campus, you are not at a disadvantage by having an alumnus interview you. </p>
<p>You can schedule an on campus interview from now until Jan. 15th or so. Call (518) 388-6112 to set this up. Alumni interview sign up will begin on August 1 (online) and we prefer that these are scheduled by Dec. 1. </p>
<p>As for sitting in on a class, eating in the dining hall, etc, you can do this either at our fall Open House (October 10, registration coming soon) or through our fall day-hosting program. This registration for this will begin in late August. </p>
<p>Thanks and we hope you will visit campus this fall!</p>
<p>What weight in the admission process does the on campus interview carry?</p>
<p>Between grades, scores essays, ECs and interviews, is there a breakdown or do you look at the overall candidate?</p>
<p>While we’re at it, one more interview question…if we can’t make it back to Union again, does an alumni interview carry the same weight as an on campus interview? Or would my D be penalized for not interviewing on campus?</p>
<p>We have a very holistic application review process. To this extent, the interview is important in that it helps us learn more about the applicant than we could get simply from the application. It is also a great way for a student to demonstrate his or her interest in Union (something we do pay attention to) and also make sure we have as much information as possible when it comes time for us to read the application. It also is much harder for us to deny a student who we really liked in the interview and who we think would be a great match for Union. A great interview cannot replace poor performance in the classroom, though.</p>
<p>As for the order of importance, generally I review the application in the following order: transcript, testing, extracurricular activities, essay, letters of rec, interview. </p>
<p>What weight in the admission process does the on campus interview carry?</p>
<p>Between grades, scores essays, ECs and interviews, is there a breakdown or do you look at the overall candidate?</p>
<p>Yes, an alumni interview carries the same weight as an on campus interview. we do not view them any differently and we are sensitive to the fact that getting back to campus for an interview can be difficult. You can sign up for an alumni interview at the following link: [Alumni</a> Interviews - Union College](<a href=“http://www.union.edu/admissions/in-your-area/alumni-interviews/index.php]Alumni”>http://www.union.edu/admissions/in-your-area/alumni-interviews/index.php)</p>