<p>d has 2 interviews (her first ever) coming up soon. one interviewer has mentioned that parents are welcome but not required. the other interviewer hasn't mentioned parents. since we are new to the process, what is the usual role of the parents? how long do interviews usually last? thanks:)</p>
<p>Interviews usually last 30-60 minutes. It's usually best if parents don't attend. That way parents avoid the temptation of taking over the interview, and students are also less inhibited when their parents don't hear every word.</p>
<p>I agree with Northstarmom. This is your D's time to shine.</p>
<p>When I did interviews in my home for my alma mater, I would let the parents know that they could drop their child off for an hour and return. Our home (at that time) was too small to allow parents to be in one part of the house and the interview to take place in another. Most parents chose just to sit in the car and listen to the radio/read a book. You could drop your D off and stroll around the campus or the neighborhood.</p>
<p>thanks Northstarmom - that's my feeling too but I just wasn't sure since we are new to this. thanks again:)</p>
<p>thanks Littlemother - good advice - will do:)</p>
<p>This summer son went to interview at a number of schools in the east.....a long trip for us since we are from Texas. I would definitely not want to be in the interview room with my son. Too confining for him and us. Family stayed in the waiting area. When the interview was done, it seems pretty standard for the interviewer to come out and shake hands with the family. If I had any questions, I raised them at that point. If interviewer doesn't approach you, it's perfectly acceptable to ask for a minute or two of the interviewer's time. </p>
<p>It was interesting how much the interviews varied, both in content and length. Wash U took my son out on a park bench and spent no more than 20 minutes. Since the temp was quite hot, I don't think they expected to stay out too long. Son's Chicago interview took about an hour. </p>
<p>My advice is to bring a book and don't look at your watch too often!</p>
<p>I did alumni interviews about 10 years ago and my school did not give me any guidence about parents and interviews ... but I will tell you the impression I had ... parents being involved in any way in the interview could only came across as a negative. In the worse case I had a parent who wanted to participate in the interview (as in ask and answser questions) argue with me when I explained I wanted to hear her son's thoughts and opinions (without also hearing hers). Some parents just wanted to listen in on the interview, or made the initial greeting and introduced their kid, or gave them a pep talk at the door ... all these made me question the maturity and independence of the applicant. Some parents drove their kids to the interview and then asked where they could be out of the way while the interview was held ... a gold star for these parents. </p>
<p>Reverse roles with the interviewer ... if you're looking for mature independent applicants ... how will parents actively participating help create a great impression of the applicant?</p>
<p>thanks 3togo and cammi - think it's probably best for me to just drop her off:) truly appreciate the advice:)</p>
<p>the question came up because of the mention of "and parents" by the one interviewer.</p>
<p>Most interviewers will come out afterwards and ask the parents if they have any questions...</p>
<p>As an alumni interviewer, I'm happy to answer questions posed to me by a parent... AFTER I've had a private interview with the applicant. If the interview is in a public location (coffee shop, book store, etc.), I advise either taking a walk, ordering a beverage and going somewhere in the store/cafe where you can't see or be seen by the interviewer and your child, or even sitting in the car. Bringing a book is a great suggestion. Shaking hands with the interviewer afterwards and (if you have questions to ask) asking what they'd suggest in terms of having your own questions answered would be appropriate. (Sometimes an interviewer will be on a tight schedule and may not have time to answer you right then.) Good luck to your D!</p>
<p>I don't think there's much role for parents to play in the interview process. Ideally the student would go on their own to the interview. I agree with weenie above - if a parent is waiting in the reception area at the end of the interview, most interviewers will say hello and ask if the parents have any questions. This caught me by surprise the first time I was hanging out waiting in the reception area - I DIDN'T have any questions and had a panicked second while I tried to think of one!</p>
<p>thanks for the tips:) good for us parents new to the process to know.</p>
<p>My D had alumni and admissions interviews and we were not present. In some cases we also met - before or after - with admissions. We were also involved for at least part of the time for interviews with faculty members. The faculty meetings were not part of the normal admissions process, but were to learn about programs, facilities and departmental goals.</p>
<p>these are both off campus interviews, some distance away, so no opp to speak w/faculty. thanks for sharing info:)</p>
<p>S had two alumni interviews. He was dropped off by Dad who came back later to pick him up. Dad did not speak to interviewer.</p>
<p>Most of the time, S behaved like a typical teenager -- as if he had sprung fully formed from the earth at the age of 17 (i.e. no parents!). He drove himself to interviews that were in areas he was familiar with, and I drove him to others. For those, I either stayed in the car or left and came back around the right time. He had one interview at a Starbucks in another town -- there was a grocery store nearby, where I browsed for a while. But I was dying for a latte! So I went in to the store, studiously avoiding any possible eye contact with my son, ordered my drink and returned to the car. He never even saw me!</p>
<p>My D just had an alumni interview. The interviewer specifically told her to bring a parent. My husband stayed in the waiting room and was asked to the conference room at the end of the interview. The interviewer then wanted to know what questions he had for him. My husband said none because he thought it was inappropriate- but he felt awkward about it, almost like he was an unprepared student in an interview. Why would someone bring a parent into the interview room?</p>
<p>"Why would someone bring a parent into the interview room?"</p>
<p>I can imagine this being done routinely by colleges that are known for being very sheltered places. Harvard, which is not known for being sheltering, does NOT encourage alum to include parents in interviews.</p>
<p>An alumni interviewer might tell a student to bring a parent for protection. If the interview is taking place in the alum's home, it's not a bad idea to have a parent present but not in the interview room. It sounds paranoid to bring something like this up, but when my h. has done alumni interviews in our small house, I'm present in the house. I wouldn't want a parent to think their child was alone in a stranger's house - well, I guess they are but if they see it's a family they might be more at ease than if they felt just the two of them were present. I think this is more of an issue with girls being interviewed by men. H's school never instructed on this, it just seemed to me to work. The point is to make the student comfortable. We never had a parent ask to stay, but did have a father come to the door with daughter. </p>
<p>When I drove son to alum interviews in homes (he didn't have a license) I never went to the door and usually left so the interviewer wouldn't feel they had to invite me in. I agree with poster who said it's the student's chance to shine. Parents can get their questions answered by speaking to someone at the college. Alums aren't as up to date on their information anyway.</p>
<p>My D had three alumni interviews. One was held in a private residence, I dropped her off and waited in a nearby church parking lot for her to call me. Another was held in a Barnes and Noble coffee shop, I waited in the parking lot, in the car. The third, which happened to be for the school she is attending, was held in an office building in a large city. It was in the evening and the building had valet parking ONLY. I felt obliged to get out of the car for this one. Since there was nowhere in the lobby to wait, I went up to the floor of her interview. Once we got there the only office on that floor was the office suite where the interviews were being held. So, I ended up waiting for her in the waiting room of the office. I felt a little awkward, because I did not want to step on any toes, or seem pushy. </p>
<p>It was our experience that the interviewers were not interested in the parents.</p>