<p>I had my interview or "informational meeting" today at UCSD for Cornell. The alumni said that the meeting was barely going to be checked by admissions, and that she was more interested in getting me to come to Cornell. So I talked to her about wanting to go into engineering and robotics, which Cornell is really good for. She immediately asks me about the other schools I applied for engineering, and she asked me why I didn't apply to Caltech, and then I told her my reasons. Then she introduces me to someone who works with her, and her brother goes to Caltech. The conversation immediately becomes about everything BUT Cornell... She said Caltech 2-3x more than saying Cornell. Is this awkward? The interview seemed to be very friendly and she was so happy to help me in the factors that go into picking a college, but rarely ever mentioned Cornell. Is this bad for me?</p>
<p>no...the interview really neither matters nor is a reflection of anything. it really is barely more than a conversation.</p>
<p>then why does cornell have interviews??? to scare the applicants??? :D</p>
<p>"The interview seemed to be very friendly and she was so happy to help me in the factors that go into picking a college, but rarely ever mentioned Cornell. Is this bad for me?"</p>
<p>No, it isnt. I think by taking your interview they want to know what kind of a person you are. they way you talk about things and the way you tackle problems shows a lot about you. :)</p>
<p>isn't that the responsibility of ur essays, ravin</p>
<p>you can lie in your essays...pretend you are a humbleguy when in reality you are a big snob...something like that i guess :D</p>
<p>"you can lie in your essays...pretend you are a humbleguy when in reality you are a big snob...something like that i guess." </p>
<p>Sadly this is true. This is why I like interviews, to show them a unique personality and also, they end up becoming great conversations.</p>
<p>On another note, my interviewer said Cornell might be just as cold as Boston, and I was always under the impression that Cornell is a lot colder. Doesn't it snow more in Ithaca? This is quite important for a SoCal person. Weather here is still 65-70.</p>
<p>you dont need an interview if youre going in for engineering so i dont think it would matter</p>
<p>well at least for ED.. im guessing its the same for RD</p>
<p>I've lived at Cornell and in Boston. Cornell is probably colder, but my feet were wet more in Boston, which tends to make you cold! Also, Boston is windier.</p>
<p>These small distinctions might not mean a lot to a southern Californian!</p>
<p>interviews are informational, as stated in the interview information. They are to INFORM you. That's why they're optional. Not everyone wants to be informed. Sounds like your interviewer may have been a little messed up when it came to the purpose of the interview, haha, but don't worry, it's not like it's going to have any impact on your decision.</p>
<p>do interviewers have your information? such as your grades and stuff?</p>
<p>If your stats are so good that she's amazed you didn't apply to Caltech, then you are looking pretty good :)</p>
<p>Also - according to my mom's friend (who did my interview and has done them in the past), alumni interviews will RARELY help and NEVER hurt an applicant. He said the chances of them listening when he writes something really good are slim, and if he were ever to write something negative they wouldn't trust/believe him anyway (and he's a donating Harvard Law grad) since the whole process is way too informal.</p>
<p>Interviewers/informational counselors do not have your stats. They only have your personal information (I glanced over), like name, address, and school.</p>
<p>Maybe the interviewer had some insider information about Caltech's interest in recruiting someone like you, and just wanted to help. </p>
<p>Maybe she thinks that you shouldn't be interested in Cornell Engineering if you're not also interested in Caltech. (dumb thought) </p>
<p>It would be like a UCSD interviewer asking why you are not also applying to Stanford.</p>
<p>Maybe she was just having a bad day...</p>
<p>A friend of mine asked by his interviewer for Cornell, who was the dean of some international college in Korea (and also my interviewer!), why he didn't apply to his college. Lol.</p>
<p>
[quote]
t would be like a UCSD interviewer asking why you are not also applying to Stanford.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>'Cept that like...um... UCSD doesn't interview folks. :p</p>
<p>hey, might be offtopic, but are you contacted for Regular Decision interviews or is there some postmark deadline for getting an alumni interview (like at Duke)? Any clarification as to if, when, and how alumni contact for a possible interview. Thanks.</p>
<p>i had my interview last night, and the guy loooooooved cornell. he gave me such a good impression of it, and it sounds like such a great place. i think it went pretty well. it lasted like almost an hour!!!</p>
<p>"postmark deadline" ????</p>