<p>I father received a call earlier today from a school rep in my area who wanted to speak with my son. He wasn't home so I told him to call back at 8. </p>
<p>I don't want him to have an interview, but at the same time I don't want him to come off as rude. What would be an acceptable excuse or reason for not having an interview?</p>
<p>Thanks so much</p>
<p>It should be your son's decision, and his place to tell the interviewer if he is not interested in this school. All he has to say is, "I'm sorry, I'm not interested in applying to this school, and I would not like to waste your time. Thank you so much. Good-bye."</p>
<p>If you're the caller is asking about a school your son is interested in attending - but don't think he'll do well in an interview, I'd still agree that it's your son's decision to interview or not. Interviews don't count for that much in most places.</p>
<p>Is this rep from a school to which your son is applying?</p>
<p>I can't imagine how a student could turn down an interview without seeming either very rude, like they have something to hide, or like they aren't particularly interested in the college.</p>
<p>Why wouldn't you want your son to interview? Even if your son gets nervous, in many cases, the interview is mainly a chance for the student to learn about the college. Most aren't designed to be high stress.</p>
<p>If your sons's anxieties are the reason why you would prefer that he not interview, how will your son eventually get to the point when he can handle the many interviews that are required for things like jobs and other opportunities?</p>
<p>my daughter received phone calls and offers to visit/interviews from schools that I don't even think she requested info from. She just politely declined and told them that she was attending someplace else.</p>
<p>Curtisny, if this was an unsolicited call from a school rep or a call related to a school that your son contacted but is no longer interested in, politely declining the interview should be fine. If the contact is from a school that your son is considering attending, I'd be cautious about declining. It might seem odd or signify a lack of interest; interviews don't weigh heavily in the process, but not wanting to meet could be a red flag if an adcom is deciding between a couple of similar candidates.</p>
<p>If the college IS one he's interested in, meeting with a local rep can be good networking. Sometimes, there are local scholarships available. The rep might be able to put your son in touch with other students and alums, too.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the feedback. Well, my son is applying ED so i doubt lack of interest will be an issue...But i could see how declining would be a red flag.</p>
<p>Why don't you want him to interview?</p>
<p>it seems you don't think your son will interview well. One of my sons is quite shy and I was also worried on this front. A few sessions with a coullege counselor taught him great intervies skills and he's now at Princeton.</p>
<p>well he has a bit of social anxiety. Mostly he's insecure about his acne.</p>
<p>We recently tried a new treatment that cleared my son's acne in a week (serious case and had tried everything). Through a dermatologist, we did what's called blue light laser treatment. Laser and medication stops the bacteria's ability to live.</p>
<p>Goodness, I'm glad I'm not a teenager - rough time to go through. The interviewer probably had acne when he or she was that age, too. Curtisny, do you think your son would be helped by doing a mock interview with a family friend or relative?</p>
<p>Curtisny,
If he has social anxiety, I suggest that you get him to a therapist or counselor who can help him with that problem. It is one of the easiest psychological problems to cure. What is a major help in young people getting over that problem is having parents who encourage and help them to face the social situations they are afraid to face. What doesn't help them is allowing them to avoid situations that make them anxious. It really is a problem in which exposure and practice makes perfect.</p>
<p>There are many acne treatments now. Doctors can help a great deal.</p>
<p>There also are many people who have acne, and even more disfiguring problems, and who do manage to be in social situations. It will be important for your son to realize that regardless of his physical appearance, he still can meet others and make a nice impression. If you let him hide out, you will be inadvertently giving him the message that if he has bad acne or a similar problem, he simply wouldn't be welcome in public, which isn't true.</p>
<p>You also can find some books at the bookstore that can help your son with his social anxiety. In the self help section, one can find books on subjects ranging from making small talk to handling interviews.</p>
<p>Since your son is a senior, this probably will be your last opportunity to have so much influence over helping him with these kind of concerns. This college interview could be a wonderful opportunity for you to help your son get some skills that will help him for a lifetime.</p>