Ugh, long thread here: http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/1803749-legacy-status-without-the-donations-p17.html
Major donor status and general legacy are two different things. For elites, the legacy kid still has to qualify for the college. And qualifying is more than just the stats.
Well, blush, I do advise applicants to " be yourself" for the interview. The point is that many kids in my experience are trying to impress the interviewer and “pad” their accomplishments. Also, in my area, many of the applicants have mock interviews conducted by their school or consultants. Those who have been coached are way in over their head by trying to beef up or being something they are not. It comes across and I am at a loss as to who they really are. Not good for a recommendation.
@brantly If you look upthread at this post http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/discussion/comment/18838908/#Comment_18838908
You’ll see I (and lookingforward) disagee with your blanket assertion that interviewers are solely to keep alumni happy. If anything, with the tiny nos. of admits, most alumni are discouraged and top colleges need to continue to encourage them along. I’ll restate: SOME interviews do matter. The students simply have no way of know if THEIRS matters – that’s the conundrum.
^ I agree with this. Interviews keep alumni involved, use alumni to market the school to applicants, and get input from alumni about applicants. All 3 can matter in some cases, and have minimal impact in others.
On CC, sometimes we just sway to much into the theoretical. And without a basis, all sorts of ideas crop up.
Be yourself is good advice for an interview. But it still means do what your momma taught you: be presentable, shake hands, look 'em in the eye, have something interesting to say, etc. This is another aspect of your presentation to the college and you do want to do it well. And for heaven’s sake, know the college. After all, you have this interview because you applied. That’s entirely different than a quick sit down in your hs GC office, with a college rep who came to visit, where you talk before you decide to apply. Or the few minutes at a roadshow.
When it boils down, I see it this way: you can assume forever that this is nothing, that they just want to keep alums active, that you can say anything you want, have dud answers or none- or blow off the interview.
Or you can show your better side, let those folks who did grad from that college, who do care enough to spend a few hours annually- and who generally like young applicants- see why you should be added to the fold.
One view is risky, the other takes it seriously. The interview report goes into your admissions review folder, same as LoRs and score reports.