Pretty much what the title says–he wants to spend half the interview with me alone and half with my parents and me. Is this normal for Yale? Is he just an uber enthusiastic interviewer? I met with all my other interviewers for other schools alone.
(I hope I posted this in the right place.)
Well, that’s HIGHLY unusual! In my five years of being on CC, that’s the first time I’ve heard of such a request – from any college alumni interviewer! Here’s what I would do: write an email back to your alumni interview and say:
Although this may sound a bit off-putting at first, I sincerely hope your interviewer will go along with your suggestion.
Yeah, unusual, but I don’t think you should dictate the style of the interview. Go with the flow. Remember your goal is to get accepted. Besides, its good practice for interviews in the working world. They won’t all go as you might anticipate or prefer but you’re not the one holding the reins in the decision-making process. Being flexible is a good thing.
Funny. D had specific instructions from Harvard interviewer that the parents should not hang around at a nearby table… Apparently that was happening to him a lot.
That’s a bit creepy. I interview for another Ivy, and only once a parent asked to go into the meeting room with me and the applicant. I said “sorry, no”.
Could you ask admissions if it is usual to ask to interview your parents as well?
Darn straight interviewing my parents would have dumped my chances of being admitted to the two Ivies I got into. I agree with gibby 100% - it’s awkward, and I can’t see how it could help.
Yeah… how mortifying, honestly. I would say that you had just planned to come in your own, and you hope that is alright with him. Unless you must have them drive you or have already said that they are.,
I already told my interviewer that my parents would come, so oh well.
¯_(ツ)_/¯ Thanks for answering my question
Here’s a positive take on this: perhaps he thinks you’re a great candidate and wants the opportunity to sell the idea of Yale to your parents as well.
^^ I thought they don’t know anything about the candidate, Years ago, when I interviewed for my Ivy alma mater, we received nothing but the name and contact information of the applicant. Maybe things have changed from the Dark Ages though.
The interviewer could google the candidate. There are a few local newspaper articles about my D that would have been found easily.
Ahh. Didn’t think of that. Thanks.
Weird, the only thing I’ve seen remotely similar is that Smith asks parents to write a recommendation for their child if they choose to do so
I do interviews for Yale and have been doing so for over twenty years. I have never asked to meet with the parents. Most kids come alone. For those that their parents have driven them, sometimes I will stop by the car and say hi to them when they pick them up since we are all parents and I know they are as nervous as the kids sometimes. Everyone has their own style so don’t fret. I am sure the interviewer does not want to add to your anxiety and nothing your parents say will affect your interview one way or another or change your fate with the AdComs.
Although I could see many reasons that they might want to meet the parents, I have to say that this is very unsettling to me. I would not want my kid to be judged based on my husband or myself. I would hate to have anything I do or don’t do persuade an interview. When you meet with a teenager, they show up as they are- innocent and fresh to the world. But to show up as eager (or not so eager) parents could set a different tone to the opinion of the kid. From clothing to mannerisms and language. I would be highly uncomfortable representing my child and all they have done to earn a place at Yale. Just my thoughts.
I think it’s weird too. Any chance your parents are famous or have a business connection to the interviewer? IE more for him than for you.
Definitely not famous/notable in any way lol. Oh well
I agree with the above commenters that this request to meet your parents is highly unorthodox/unheard of, and borderline unethical, because it seems like he is interviewing your parents to gauge how much money they have or whether they can afford to send you. I know this advice is counter-intuitive but I would cancel the interview and call Admissions and speak to either a senior admissions counselor or the director, or your call the regional admissions representative for the area where your high school is located. Tell them what’s going on, they may be surprised and reprimand him. Of course, you should reiterate your strong interest and request another interviewer. I don’t care that this is Yale, sometimes you need to speak up/stand for what’s right, even if there is a risk.
I think @trackmbe3 's scenario is unlikely. Here’s my take on it. The interviewer is excited and probably wants to make a pitch at your parents to sell them to Yale. He wants to put on the best face possible for Yale.
This person isn’t concerned about saving Yale any money. He COMPLETELY knows how rich and generous Yale is with Fin Aid.
But I’m in agreement that this is unorthodox. The time should be spent w/the student. I don’t mind some small talk w/the parents afterward.
My guess is it’s an alum who is just new to being an interviewer,is really enthusiastic about Yale and as a result is going over the top a little.
And I would have been slightly uncomfortable as a 17-18 year old having my parents there, as it’s an age when kids are transitioning into young adults who can stand on their own two feet and having parents there seems to go against that.
In my opinion though I would just go ahead with it at this point. It doesn’t seem like that big of a deal or something worth disrupting the existing plan about.
Yes, I also find this unusual. It puts you in an awkward place that you shouldn’t have been put in. Maybe they thought you would be more comfortable and relaxed with your parents there, maybe he is looking to promote the school and wants to positively influence your parents in that manner. Who knows!
Hopefully neither of your parents have any nervous tendencies that arise in these types of situations, incessant talking, nervous laughter, grooming you in front of other people etc.
With no offense to the interviewers here, I don’t believe there is a tremendous correlation with how your interview goes and whether or not you will be admitted. There wasn’t with our daughter, one of the interviews that our daughter felt was the most odd was with an alumni representative of the school she is now attending.
Best of luck!