<p>My d found the interview a good opportunity to connect with a person from the school. True, it's only one person, but in several cases she stayed in touch with that person, got further information via email, etc.</p>
<p>To the OP, I interpret part of your question as being "Is it worth interviewing in the summer or late junior year?" - my answer is yes, on a school by school basis. We had to do all faraway schools on a summer trip, and DD was only certain that she was applying to some of the schools that we were visiting. We tried to schedule an interview at each school that offered interviews (much over DD's protests, she hated the interviews), except one school that was an afterthought added just before we left because her dentist recommended it and it didn't quite fit her parameters for schools.
Her first 2 interviews were at small LACs that highly recommended interviews, the first one, fortunately, was the best interview she had, period; the second one cemented the beginning tone of the visit, that school was not for her, and she didn't apply. So much for that notion of scheduling the least important first.
And the afterthought school? That turned out to be her first choice, so we flew back up for an on campus interview and overnight, because she was considering ED.</p>
<p>I also agree with the other posters - assume that things that are "recommended" are required for YOU. I think they use that language as an out if there is a person they truly want who is lacking in one SATII, not for the general applicant.</p>
<p>My son just mentioned the other day, that the college interviews actually helped him with his job interview. He said he was very relaxed, and thought having done it for colleges, was a big part of the reason.</p>
<p>Like tour guides, the interviewing professor (or admission rep) can also make a big difference in a student's perception of the college, even thought they are but one small piece of the entire picture. At one school, my son was assigned to interview with a professor in his anticipated major. Unfortunately, it turned out the this professor taught courses that were of least interest to my son. Of course, there would be other professors and viewpoints, but it still made him question if the school were right for him, even though he liked the college in general. It was not until he spoke with a different professor via phone, who happened to have the same interests, that he became excited again about the school.</p>
<p>If either can be accommodated, which would you recommend: 1) A summer on-campus interview, even if the student is not sure whether or not to apply or 2) wait for an alumni interview in the autumn when he/she knows more about the school and has committed to apply? Also, am I right that interviews for Harvard occur only AFTER the application has been received?</p>
<p>SBMom, I loved your story! </p>
<p>I agree that the interview process and importance tends to depend upon the school. My son had three regional interviews and three on-campus interviews. I think he was happiest with the regional interviews, as they were low stress, being relatively local may have helped there. In the case of the school he will attend, he met the interviewer (from our home town) for the first time then, and has been able to maintain contact with him since the acceptance. Very helpful.</p>
<p>I know there was a lot of stress at one on-campus interview as his father did not judge the traffic well and made DS 10 minutes late for the interview. If possible, be there way ahead to be eased out. Son did have a cell phone to call the admissions office, but he was worried and mad when he got there. Didn't really hurt him ultimately, but not fun.</p>
<p>Quiltguru, don't know the answer to the Harvard question, but I'd bet it is on the website. </p>
<p>Based on interviews at 2 Ivies, I would recommend an alumni interview only, UNLESS the student has specific questions about programs or campus life, etc, OR the student is wavering about applying - in other words, do an on campus interview to serve the needs of the applying student, not to impress anyone or improve your chances. You would probably do more to improve your chances by going to one of the local dog and pony shows, stay after, and ask one or two well thought out questions - like I am interested in Program X,Y,Z at Yale, can I contact Faculty Member Dr. Whosit to ask a question? Then again, we are so far out in the boonies that the traveling roadshows are played to small audiences, may 20-30 parents and kids, and a person can actually ask a question and be noted by the adcom - another one of those geographic hooks.</p>
<p>We, the 'rents insisted that DD do an on campus interview at her original Ivy of interest while she was there for a summer program, because we live 1000 miles away - that experience pretty much solidified her decision to not apply to that school. When she was favoring ED to another Ivy, we 'rents again insisted she visit and overnight (which she had not done), before committing to that school - she did an on campus interview at that time, plus the school tries to do alumni interviews as well, which she really wanted to skip based on minor scheduling problems, but us bad 'rents insisted again (did I mention she didn't like interviews?). I honestly don't think they helped or hurt, she was admitted ED.</p>
<p>My son applied ED to Columbia, where interviews are "not required, but offered whenever possible", are done only with alumni, and results are "considered". As we live in Queens, he interviewed with a Class of 2002 alumnus who took him to the Columbia Club for the interview, which my son felt was very positive and very relaxed. The interviewer told him he thought he'd be a good fit for Columbia, and that he planned to highly recommend him. A couple of days later, my son sent the interviewer a thank-you postcard. My son was accepted ED to Colmbia, and I think the interview definitely helped, esp with the issue of "fit".</p>
<p>My daughter had an interview with a local alumnae from a NE LAC college since we live very far away from the NE. The interview did not go well...the man talked the entire time about HIS college experience and my daughter was asked only 2 questions. She was very disappointed because she felt he learned nothing about her and therefore would have nothing to report back to the college about...other than his fond memories. Truly an example of the interview working against you. I think this is rare but I know it does happen. I'd think a competitive LAC would do a better job finding alumni interviewers.</p>
<p>My D was interviewed by a surgeon alumnus, who scheduled very tightly, back-to-back interviews, 15 minutes apart, after a long day of surgeries. He was not pleasant, not relaxed, and I feel that his "write-ups" could not have been positive.</p>
<p>My daughter interviewed with only 3 of the 8 schools to which she applied--all alumni interviews. The only one she felt might have made any difference was UChicago. She said that interview was vastly different from the other 2 and lasted well over an hour. She really enjoyed her time spent with this interviewer. Of the other 2, one was with an Ivy, and the person scheduled it the day before they were due. While they spent most of the time talking about the town (my daughter was very familiar with the school and the town), he ended up wanting to know why she didn't apply ED (you know, if she "liked it so much"). Hmm... There was only one other person from her h.s. applying to this particular school, and when she got up to leave, the interviewer told her she would probably pass the girl from her h.s. in the hallway as he had scheduled their interviews back to back. Not sure she did actually pass her in the hallway, but that seemed a little thoughtless (I thought). </p>
<p>At any rate, I personally don't think interviews make much difference. I do think that some of these alumni interviewers aren't really interested in doing it, and so I can believe reports are often pretty cut and dry. I suspect schools are so desperate to have alumni volunteer to do it, that they know not to give too much weight to the reports. My daughter was accepted to all the schools where she did not receive an interview, by the way (and accepted to all but 1 where she did).</p>
<p>The only thing that I think we know for sure is that whether a student has visited and interviewed at a college is made a matter of record. Thus, at the margin, it may help an admissions committee believe that the student is interested in the school.</p>
<p>My son did two interviews, one an alumni interview, and one on campus. My daughter did a few on campus interviews, plus showed her art at national portfolio days which can in some ways be the equivalent of an interview.</p>
<p>The most valuable part of these contacts may be the feedback that the kids get, and a chance to ask a question or two. In my opinion, if you're visiting a place, why not schedule an interview. Don't get too worked up about it, don't make it into a show; use it to learn things, but to learn the most it's helpful to prepare in advance by studying information about the school and coming with a few questions.</p>
<p>I want to clarify what I said - I'm not sure how much difference any interviews at Ivies make, sometimes I think they offer them more because the alumni demand the opportunity to promote the school.
We insisted our DD schedule and go through with the alumni interview more out of concern about how it would look if the interviewer sent in a form that said "did not schedule" or something like that - doesn't make a big positive impact if you do it, but can make a negative impact if you appear to have refused - thoughts?</p>
<p>Cangel, IMO, if you apply to any school and they appoint an alumni interviewer who contacts you, then you should always try to make that interview, for the reasons you mention.</p>
<p>Mac, that was exactly our thinking.</p>
<p>Guiltguru, S's Harvard interviewer got in touch with him after they received his application. Adding to what Chocoholic posted, S had three alumni interviews, two great, one less than stellar. I have wondered if this could be due in part to the interviewer's lack of skill or inexperience. Interviewing on campus would eliminate the possibility of drawing an interviewer like Chocoholic's surgeon. I also know a family who made a point of interviewing on campus because the local alumna interviewer was, shall we say, less than discreet. I think an on campus interview might be a little less stressful as it could be viewed more as an opportunity to gather information and not as a "try out".</p>
<p>Similar perspective here to many previous posters--doing a recommended interview may be marginally helpful or neutral--but NOT doing a recommended though not required interview means you have left out a small step that might be helpful, so is sort of a sin of omission. And for those applicants who may be fearful of the process, it is good to keep in mind the importance of interpersonal skills throughout life--the need to to be comfortable talking to adults doesn't melt away upon admission to college, so interviewing is a good learning process, or rehearsal for job interviews and such.</p>
<p>In my experience (two kids), on-campus interviews, whether required or recommended, are usually better than off-campus alumni interviews, but off-campus interviews with traveling admissions staff are okay if you live too far from the school in question for it to be a convenient trip. We found alumni interviews variable in quality--you may get great people who are good at what they do and can help you get a good picture of the school (and give the school a nice extra take on your kid) or people who just want to stay involved but aren't terribly insightful or skilled (and no real rule of thumb to help you figure out which schools are likely to have better alumni interviewers).</p>
<p>I do, however, have my doubts about the power of demonstrated interest in getting in to a school. If a school does not even offer evaluative interviews (Amherst, Colgate, and Williams come to mind) then a visit is purely for the information the applicant will get from that visit. I have heard anecdotal accounts of people not getting in to schools and of assuming it was because they didn't visit, but am also familiar with instances of qualified people who were not accepted after showing strong interest, and equal numbers who've been admitted after showing moderate interest (such as attending high school admissions-rep visits or regional info sessions but not visiting). As has been noted on other threads, the single best way to show a school you care about it is to present a carefully prepared application.</p>
<p>I have a corollary question. My soph son is a horrible conversationalist. He applied for a job at the local supermarket for a bag boy position and where they hire, literally, EVERYONE who applies but he didn't get an offer - I'm sure because of his horrible interviewing skills. Now I recognize that things may improve in the next year or so and he might get better but I seriously doubt it. In his case, I think an interview would jeopardize his admissions chances greatly (and I'm not talking about top schools). Assuming he stays in this general vein (and everyone comments about his quietness), do we just pass on the interviews and hope his application is strong enough to stand on its' own? Unless there's some marked improvement next year, I think his grades and SAT's will be nothing to write home about so I guess you could say that, overall, I'm pretty worried about his college choices.</p>
<p>Fredo, this goes to what I mentioned in my previous post; I would suggest figuring out a way to work on his conversational/interviewing skills;there are just so many times when the ability to conduct a conversation or make a solid impression in an interview makes a difference in an outcome. Of course I don't know the specifics of your son's personality and situation, and it is perfectly fine to be a quiet person who does a lot of listening. But there is a difference between being quiet, poised and articulate and being quiet to the point of appearing tongue-tied when asked a question, or unable to think of an innocuous conversation opener. Is shyness a factor? It sounds as though in this specific case the lack of conversation might be holding your son back from opportunities, so rather than looking for ways around it, I'd suggest, since there is time, working on solutions to the problem--even making up sort of scripts to practice conversations at dinner or with neighbors and so on.</p>
<p>Cangel - I hope your daughter is really nice to her dentist now!</p>
<p>Yes, and I hope she FLOSSES, too. ;)</p>