My (insert angry word here) Interviewer- A Rant

Applying to College
1

<p>I've been having the worst experience with the interviewer that Kenyon College set me up with. First of all, I was eager to get the interview done because they state that they are really concerned with demonstrated interest in their admissions evaluations, and that interviews themselves are very important. And Kenyon is one of my top LAC's. But now, I'm so frustrated that I could care less if I do the interview at all.</p>

<p>Anyway, first off, Kenyon emails me with this woman's name and tells me to email her. Which was weird. No other college did that. So I emailed her, introducing myself and asking for a interview. She responded by saying that she would love to and that we should do it at Ikea. Okay. I'm kinda of weirded out, I mean most interviews take place in coffee shops, bookstores, but okay, fine. I'm also kind of annoyed because the Ikea is like 20 minutes away, and we live in the same town (i'm talking 5 minutes away from each other), so this is sort of stupid, but then I realize that I didn't tell her where I lived, only where I go to school, so I kept quiet. </p>

<p>Long story short, she doesn't show up. I'll admit, I made 2 mistakes. 1-not confirming until about 2 hours before, and 2-not getting her cell. I was sort of frustrated that I wasted 3 hours of my Sunday, but it was partially my fault.</p>

<p>So, I get home and she has emailed me, 20 minutes before we're supposed to meet, saying that she can't make it and we need to reschedule. I emailed back saying that I had been at the Ikea, waiting, but that it wasn't a big deal. I also made sure to tell her that we lived in the same town, and that we should meet somewhere like Starbucks because the Ikea was really busy (like I expected). She didn't apologize, which I found disconcerting, and instead said that we should reschedule.</p>

<p>Then she suggests we meet, of all places, at a completely random cafe that is NEARLY IN DC. I live- (for god's sakes, WE BOTH LIVE) in a Maryland suburb that is almost a half-hour from DC. Now I was pretty angry- I already established the fact that we live in the same town. If it was the indie-esque coffee shop aura she wanted, for goodness sake, we could have gone to a LOCAL non-starbucks cafe! This really showed me that she was indulging her own wants and desires at my expense. </p>

<p>But whatever. She's the one doing me a favor. So I make sure to email her back this time, confirming, and this morning, I skip church just to make sure I'll be on time. I even get there 20 minutes early. </p>

<p>And then I sit, again, for 45 minutes. And she doesn't show. And this time I know she doesn't show, because the place is completely empty, save for a couple creepy people and the barista. </p>

<p>This time she didn't even email an excuse.</p>

<p>What do I do? Do I call the college and try to set up with a new interviewers? Do I email her? </p>

<p>My parents aren't going to let me arrange another interview with her, not that I'd want to. I've wasted time, gas, and energy on these interviews, and it's giving me a bad taste about the school itself (although I know it's unwarranted) Plus, it's really stressful, being a relatively new teenage driver and having to drive around a major city in search of a random cafe.</p>

<p>Has anyone else had an experience this poor with their interviewers? I'm really mad!</p>

2

<p>well I didn't have a poor interview but I did have to meet in a supreme court building while court was in session. I would DEFINATELY call the college and let them know this but don't sound like it took a lot of effort cause that could work against you in the long run but do let them know that you showed up early and she didn't. good luck though.</p>

3

<p>Do you know the name of the admissions person responsible for your file at Kenyon? I would write a polite letter/email emphasizing how much you want to go to Kenyon and describing what happened....try not to make it into a vent, just show that you are looking forward to having an alum interview if one can be arranged.</p>

4

<p>To have a bad taste about the school from the actions of one alum is silly. Any alum can interview simply by signing up. Simply call the admissions office, with a good attitude, and ask if they would like to assign you a new interviewer because the first was "unable" to make the first 2.</p>

<p>These interviews count for very little, so don't sweat it.</p>

5

<p>I agree with all that's been said in response, but I might be inclined to say something more factual than that the interviewer was "unable" to see you. Give them the facts. This interviewer should not be representing this college and if someone doesn't say something, it will happen again and again until someone does a gut check and speaks up. No need to be rude and to vent; just give it like you would give a police report. You'll most likely be assigned another interviewer and you'll have helped fix a problem. Good luck.</p>

6

<p>I agree w/ 4th house. If I were Kenyon, I'd want to know terribly that one of my volunteer alumni was representing my college badly -- there's no way to lessen that adjective about this alum's actions.</p>

<p>Good luck to you. At least you know how NOT to be in five years when you're an alum representing your alma mater!</p>

7

<p>I was encouraging a little less confrontation because I found some of the OP's complaints less than reasonable--being mad about traveling a half hour--and there are 2 sides to every story. To fit in the interviews I do every year candidates will often have to meet me somewhere out of the way.</p>

8

<p>yes but as an interviewer we do represent the school; I think you should call your admissions rep and discuss the fact that you were "stood up" twice.</p>

9

<p>You have to be diplomatic; the ditzy interviewer could be a friend of whoever you're complaining to.</p>

10

<p>Yeah, but the thing is hmom, I'm not an experienced driver, and this place was really out of the way- I'm talking random streets, weird alleyways. I've only been in the area once before -with my mom- and it's filled with crack houses and sketchy people, it's definetely not the best area. DC driving is pretty similar to NYC, believe it or not, lots of traffic, a ridiculous number of one-way streets, except the grid system isn't as well designed. It's freaking cold and getting lost isn't fun anytime of year, especially now. </p>

<p>We live in an area where there is a Starbucks every half-mile, it's not like we're in the country or super-suburbia where it makes sense to go into the city all the time. Driving a half-hour is a big deal around here-unless you're going to work or something specific, everything you need tends to be within 15 minutes away. If I'd asked my mom to drive me, she would have said no because a 30 minute drive (and this is luckily sans traffic) is ridiculous.</p>

<p>I see no legitimate reason for her to have chosen the place she did when I made it clear that we lived in the same town. The Ikea was out of the way, but at least it was right off the highway. This was too much.</p>

11

<p>I would call, not email, the person in charge of interviews for your area. Explain that you are very interested in Kenyon and would like to have an interview, but after two failed attempts, your parents won't allow you to go on a third one with this person.</p>

12

<p>wow it sucks.. how come she's so irresponsible. like literally WOW freaked me out a little</p>

13

<p>I agree with whomever is telling you to talk to the school about the interviewer. And unlike hmom, I do think it's a big deal that the interviewer insisted on going 30 mins away from where you live right after you told her there were tons of places nearby.</p>

<p>(P.S. I almost didn't recognize you at first outside of the Yale forum...)</p>