My kiddo received a phone call on Sunday from a college “alum” interviewer. I answered the phone, interviewer identified himself, and then asked for kiddo. No problem - I gave the phone to kiddo and presumed he was calling to schedule an interview.
But that wasn’t the case. He told her that he had to get his form in right away and wanted to interview her then, at that very moment. So she just started answering his questions. She was very nervous because she was taken by surprise, didn’t have her resume in front of her (to help organize her thoughts) or any sort of preparation time or time to just take a deep breath! I don’t think this is what the school had in mind, it sounded like he was just up against a deadline. She thinks it went okay but the whole reason she signed up for one was to meet someone in person (they actually ask if you are willing to do a Skype sort of thing and she said no) and the whole thing just wasn’t the best way to put her best foot forward. (By the way, interviews are optional but she tends to do well with them which is why she signed up for one.)
Do you think the interviewer will tell the school that he caught her on the fly? Should she somehow tell the school? Or is it just what it is?
Hmmm. I have interviewed for my college for 20+ years, and I think his behavior was shabby.
It probably “is what it is” in terms of your daughter’s interview report, especially if she applied EA. Like HRSMom, my guess is that his report won’t hurt your daughter’s chances, however.
If you are willing to reach out and you know alumni from the school, you could help the next kid who is assigned to this interviewer. I would wait until decisions are returned, and if you know an alum, I would ask whether they could contact the club president/interview chair on your and your daughter’s behalf. If I were in charge of interviews for that region, I would want to know that this particular interviewer was doing a poor job. Part of the alum interviewer’s responsibility, IMO, is to act as an ambassador for the school. And, if your daughter is deferred, I might ask for another interview either through the college or (preferably) through the region.
I’m sure he won’t disclose that he waited until the last minute and therefore the interview was “on the fly.” On the other hand, I don’t think most those alum interviews matter a whole lot, so I wouldn’t worry about it.
^but I do think he will consider that when filling out the forms. Catching someone on the fly requires him to understand some "um"s, awkward pauses, tongue tied-ness, and forgotten info!
The purpose of alum interviews are for you to give a little more info about yourself, and for the interviewer to “sell” the college somewhat and ask questions.
However as an interviewer, sometimes you are assigned interviewees and you are encouraged/pressured to do it in a certain timeframe. It might be that the interviewer was very busy and was trying to get it done. However, I don’t think that is in anyone’s best interest. I have only done one phone interview (the interviewee did not want to drive to my area) and I do not think it was as effective as in person AT ALL.
You could have your student write an email to the volunteer coordinator/admissions counselor:
“I wanted to thank ABC U for the opportunity for an alumni interview. I was quite surprised, however, that I was not able to have an in person interview despite checking the box for not being interested in a skype interview. I was called by the interviewer and was asked to do it on the spot, without the chance to get materials/questions together. I was hoping to meet someone in person to discuss ABC U but I am glad I got a chance to talk with (person).”
You all kind of stated it above, but aren’t some interviews strictly informational, and not used in the admissions process (this may be shown in the CDS?). If that’s the case, I wouldn’t worry. If not, then that stinks and would take the above suggestions.
Alumni interviews typically don’t count for much for this very reason – the quality of the interviewers is all over the map. It sounds like she did just fine so I’d just move on. IMO if she gets into the school or not won’t hang on this interview.
Early decision interviews are often due on a fixed day, like 11/30 or 12/1 and the alumni interviewers may have just gotten the person. It’s best to contact the person first to set up but it’s possible the interviewer had a hard deadline to either do it immediately or not at all.