<p>As d-day quickly approaches, I am beginning to agonize over every little thing that may have affected my admission decision. I had my Duke interview in January and let's just say it wasn't my best interview. I don't think I messed it up or anything, but I felt a lot like my interviewer was purposely trying to throw me for a loop and I felt like I was almost being bullied at times. I kept my composure and everything, but now I am wondering if it could have possibly turned an acceptance to a waitlist or a waitlist to a rejection. Anyone have a similar experience? Any comments/insights would be greatly appreciated. =)</p>
<p>An interview is unlikely to be the determining factor of a rejection unless it’s really bad. Admissions understand that every interviewer is different and judges applicants on a wide scale; some are harsh, others are not. They can’t hold it against you because your interviewer was particularly critical. HOWEVER, it can have an effect and they will pay the most attention the description of your interview. If it was “bad” in that your interviewer thought you intellectual curiosity wasn’t the greatest, honestly I wouldn’t worry about it that much. If it was “bad” because you were rude, didn’t know anything about Duke (e.g. no idea what “Trinity” or “Pratt” means), and didn’t talk (and that is written in the report), then yes, I’d be worried. Nothing you can do about it at this point, though. So, just relax.</p>
<p>During my interview I wore UNC colors, claimed to have read the Wall Street Journal on a daily basis and was called on it (I did during the summer but up to the interview in December I didn’t- it looked REALLY bad), and overall sounded like a total idiot. </p>
<p>I got an acceptance letter in late March.</p>
<p>Point is, the interview is relatively useless. I am convinced admissions doesn’t read it at all, or at least reads into it very little. I was told by five interviewers I was a sure-in at their schools (got into 2, waitlisted at 2, rejected at 1), so I really think there is little indication that it matters. As much as it pained me to hear it last year, just sit tight and wait. It sucks, but it will work out in the end.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>I’ve heard Guttentag say that the interviews are for your information only; supposedly he’d do away with them entirely if people wouldn’t throw hissy fits. In 99% of cases, an interview can only help your application.</p>
<p>Sorry to hear that you were “bullied” during your interview. It’s supposed to be fun and a chance for you to learn more about the school and how you’d fit there; some alumni unfortunately stray from that.</p>
<p>My interview was the worst out of 5 or 6, and I recently received a Likely Letter so I’m pretty sure it doesn’t effect it much at all.
My interviewer was late, brought her dog, and then when there were no tables outside (I had been waiting for her inside) she asked me if I’d starting the interview while we were waiting. And by waiting I mean standing on a busy street corner with cars whizzing by in every which direction. Once we sat down her dog continued to run around at my feet and get his leash tangled around the chairs, which was rather distracting. And, to top it all off, she wasn’t very engaging at all. Whenever I finished answering a question (and very thoroughly, I might add; I talk a lot), she would stay quiet as though waiting for me to keep going. It was rather disconcerting.
Haha, after all of that bashing, I have to say that she was really quite nice though.</p>
<p>Good luck, collegehappy! I’m sure you’ll be ok :)</p>