My interviewer is an admission officer?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Harvard University
21

@cristina1225
I know what you are thinking. I assure you that it was not intentional! :slight_smile:
Also, It was not really last minute. 11:59 IRST is 15:30 EST.
But I did apply relatively late, because I was unsure if I wanted to apply through SCEA. I had to have my translated transcripts re-scanned because my counselor suddenly noticed that they were too big for common app. So it took more time than expected.
P.S : Harvard and Yale claim to be OK with slightly late apps. e.g: I received an email from yale on November second, which warned me that I should submit my app before November 5 if I want to be considered early

22

Ah cool!
When’s your interview?

23

Generally, receiving an interview as an international student (in a country with no applicant-initiated interviews) is definitely a good sign. Most who do either get waitlisted/accepted
but those interviews are usually done when officers have already evaluated applications and are ready to shortlist their candidates. This is why I asked you about the date you received your email because I’m not entirely sure if this should be regarded as a really good sign since it’s still pretty early.

AnnatheGreat, another Iranian applicant, received her interview offer around the end of November. She got in SCEA, and her interview was also with an admissions officer.

Again, I don’t really know if you should see this as a good sign since I’m not sure enough time has passed for Harvard to already have a list of shortlisted international applicants, but hey, they might be working really fast this time around!

Anyway, kick some butt in your interview and best of luck!

24

@MAS9797 thank you for your answer.
In any case, this is an opportunity to sell myself.

Is it against etiquette to ask about this at the end of the interview?

FWIW: I have a suspicion that they have already read my app. I once called to ask whether I should send supplementary documents for my transcript. After putting me on hold for some time, the answerer said that the admission counselors were happy with what they had. Not sure what that means.

25

LOL honestly, I don’t want to get your hopes up or anything, but as long as you don’t screw up the interview, you’re pretty much in.

26

@MAS9797 and why is that?
BTW, I won’t be crushed if I don’t get in. I probably won’t even be sad.
I hope you are right.

27

@Soheils There are “rounds” when it comes to Harvard admissions, for International students at least. Check out what is said in this article: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/malaysians-fail-to-get-into-harvard-for-second-year-running

“I called the Harvard College of Admissions Office and was told that although they received applications from Malaysian students, no one was shortlisted for interviews as they are not considered competitive enough,” he was quoted as saying by The Star.

Interview offer → passed a few rounds.

And besides, literally every international applicant who gets an interview and is not from an applicant-initiated interview country gets in or gets waitlisted. Checkout previous threads - that’s just the way it is. This is definitely a good sign.

28

Also, check this out:
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/harvard-university/1093353-harvard-interviews-in-malaysia.html

29

Any applicant from Africa? Have you gotten any interview yet?

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Wishing you all the best @Soheils ! I’m sure you’ll do great. And by the way, I think it’s a good sign.

@Sawadogo Yes, African applicant here. I will let you know if I get an interview request. I anticipate we’ll be pushed to the regular round so as to compare us to more African applicants. And, by the way, don’t hijack a thread. Some people here get peeved about such things :))

31

@zaprez thank you! Good luck to you as well!
BTW, I don’t see the question as a hijack. any int’l has my blessing to inform us of his/her interview.

32

@ZAPrez alright.

33

When’s your interview?

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I hope it goes well.

35

Best of luck :)>-

36

@Harvard2020s thanks a lot! where are you from btw? are you iranian?

37

Would it be against etiquette to ask my interviewers about my application in general and the positive or neutral meaning of an interview in particular?

38

I just finished my interview. I think it went very well, but I won’t know until 30 days later


39

Good luck! How long was the interview?

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@desie1 thanks, 45-60 minutes