Official Princeton Interview Thread

<p>^ I hope that isn't fail. Cuz that's what happened for mine. Except mine was a bit more directed than yours probably -- we went from Why Princeton to what I should expect at Princeton to my activities to community service and leadership to academics. There was a lot of feed back until the very end, when he had me ask questions (Interviewer: "Do you have any more questions about Princeton?" / Me: Uhm, errr. i don't know <em>blank stare</em> Interviewer: Blank response. <<< This was like after the 5th question I could think of about princeton) but I later asked about the campus, the environment, professors, diversity etc.</p>

<p>For some reason, these college interviews (I've had Brown and Pton so far) haven't given me a real satisfaction of like "acing" it wholly -- maybe it's cuz the interviewers don't want to blow up your ego by giving too much positive feedback. Quite frankly, I would agree with them though -- most of them don't know whether you're a surefire candidate and to give you too much hope would be just mean. </p>

<p>But yeah, I probably am just pessimistic. I wish I could have one of those enjoyable 2 hour ones with my interviewers. =[</p>

<p>Had my interview today. It went okay. But I was not impressed w/ my interviewer and, by extension, Princeton. (And yes, I know that's an unfair generalization, but I have my reasons).</p>

<p>Case in point: When I asked her what drew her to Princeton, she said, "I was a top student, and I guess Princeton was just a validation of that. It was evidence that I got somewhere."</p>

<p>Um ... right.</p>

<p>To be honest, though, I was sort of hoping that the interview would make me like Princeton more. Turns out it just dropped Princeton down to tie with my state school in terms of fit--and my state school's a pretty bad fit.</p>

<p>That's not to say Princeton's a bad school. It's great (and I know someone who attends)! Just ... not for me, which I'm glad I found out. :)</p>

<p>Anyways, enough of my complaints: Good luck to everyone else! May you have great interviews!</p>

<p>does princeton try to give all its applicants an interview? (i hope !! )</p>

<p>My interview is Sunday after work so I'll already be dressed up and likely covered in coffee---my interviewer seems formal-ish so far on the phone/e-mails, but I'm not too worried about it. He told me it would only be 1/2 hr-ish which surprised me a bit... my other interviews were about an hour-ish. </p>

<p>Well. Fingers crossed. Will update bientot.</p>

<p>^ Good luck, coretto, even though I'm sure you won't need it. :)</p>

<p>My D had an interview on Monday at the alum's office. She said it was interesting especially since he was a recent grad and told her a lot about clubs and the music scene. She said he asked her a lot of questions related to why she wanted to go there and she said she talked about everything and everybody she could think of. We are in Texas but she said her interviewer came from a small high school in Montana. He also happened to be the husband of a teacher at my D's school. All in all, seemed to be a good experience. My D was worried about finding the office so I drove the "get-away" car and waiting outside in the parking lot. She was inside about 40 minutes.</p>

<p>i posted this in another thread, but since this one is about interviews, i think it would be good to post it here, the interview was pretty good, lasted about a half hour, i went home and didn't think twice about it....2 days later, the alumnus who arranged the interview sent me an email saying that the lady who interviewed me thought that i was one of the best applicants she has met...(he also said don't get your hopes up as this process is unpredictable)...too bad the interview plays a very minor role in the admission process :(</p>

<p>^ True, very true. My interview experience was really good. The interviewer asked me about two questions, and it was like an actual conversation instead of an interview! I learned a lot about Princeton, and I actually got to like Princeton a lot!! He even told me that he would write only positive things on my review, and that he would recommend that they admit me. It was really exciting, but sadly, it's not a big part of the admission process....</p>

<p>I just got back from mine - it was wonderful! My interviewer was really laid back and fun, and we talked and giggled for ~45 minutes. lol. Oh how I like Princeton...</p>

<p>I've just scheduled my phone interview with an alum. How long should the interview last over the phone? If it's mentioned in the email that it should last for about 10 - 15 minutes, does it really stop after the time is up?</p>

<p>I'm an international by the way and I don't know why I'm feeling so excited! Is this even ok?</p>

<p>Mine was great. It was about an hour and fifteen minutes. The interviewer asked me what drew me to Princeton (and what drew me to my HS). After that, I asked him questions about Princeton and that went on for about 45 minutes. We chatted briefly about my ECs and then he left. I thought it went great, but he even said at the beginning that he considered it more informative than evaluative. Is this standard (he said it had no admissions impact...lol)?</p>

<p>I just got a reply back from the alum
mines this Friday</p>

<p>yeahhhy :D</p>

<p>oh and there are 3 applicants from my school and im the only one whose got a call
does that mean anything?</p>

<p>im an international....india....</p>

<p>?</p>

<p>Just had the interview today, felt like it went ok. It lasted an hour and a half, but I felt like I asked more questions than my interview. I guess it's ok cuz the interviewer said the main purpose of it was to inform me about the school, but I still feel like none of my interviews have been very deep or like I really aced any of them</p>

<p>The interview does have admissions impact. And it is a good sign if you are contacted for an interview. The admissions office discards some candidates even before they start scheduling interviews. So if you have been contacted for an interview, it means you have passed the first round!</p>

<p>I thought all Princeton applicants got interviews?</p>

<p>No, not all of them actually.
I had mine today though!! It was at a bookstore here and I think it went well. The guy was really interested in the way I did my high school courses (Online), as well as my EC's and he seemed to like me so I'm pleased. woot woot :)
I did feel it was a little unfair though that he happened to schedule it at a time when he had to go pick up his daughter from basketball practice or something, so we only got to sit for about half and hour and talk even though we could've went on for much longer.
But oh well, hopefully it was enough for him to put in a good word!
wish me luck!</p>

<p>Good luck to everyone else too!!</p>

<p>which city are you from, prateek92?</p>

<p>new delhi :D</p>

<p>I just had mine
T'was awesome
the guy was really interested in hearing me out...thankfully he didn't ask any blunt and straight question
was more like convo about my goals, ec's and his college days
nd yes he liked me
my un-asian ec's impressed him
yeahhy :)
he really did convince me to make P my first choice :)</p>

<p>Not impressed with the interview at all...
(And i think having done a bunch of interviews, i have some authority to comment on my own interview)
And what I have realised is that college is what you make of it...Even its some great looking place with Heavy reputation, it cannot impart its characteristics on you.
(Just to make things clear, I have great respect for my interviewer's accomplisments...and the above comments don't reflect my opinons about him)</p>