<p>I received an email from a Cornell University Alumni Admissions Ambassador, who would like to schedule a time to meet with me to answer any questions that I have about Cornell and to learn more about my college interests.</p>
<p>Is this meeting supposed to be a "college interview"? If so, I'm really bad at making a good first impression and I don't think a college interview would help me at all. Should I just disregard this email and not respond if I don't want to schedule a meeting?</p>
<p>That's supposed to be "Cornell" not "ornell". My Bad.</p>
<p>no. if you wish to grow up to be a decent member of polite society in addition to someone bright enough to get into an ivy league school, please at least respond to the Alum and tell them that you appreciate the opportunity but are unable to schedule an interview...I am currently waiting to hear from someone as are several other membrs of our local CAAAN committee , and we don't know if the student is not getting the message or what...</p>
<p>Thanks for the advice.
So it IS a college interview??</p>
<p>I heard from my interviewer about a week ago, and had my interview last Friday. I was very surprised; the person who interviewed me was a CS major(and that's the major I am interested in pursuing). The guy was very nice, but he seemed kind of rushed at the end(4pm on a Friday was not a good choice in retrospect). </p>
<p>Interviews (from what I've heard) with alumni do not count for that much. I mean, sure, if you are REALLY bad(as in, you have absolutely 0 social skills) it will hurt you, but in most cases it's just an opportunity to get to know someone who went to Cornell.</p>
<p>For all colleges except Hotel and Arch, the interview (yes it is an interview) is informational, not evaluative. The interviewers try to establish rapport with the student and it gives you an opportunity to find out more about Cornell, ask questions. I'm sure they provide feedback to Cornell but again, unless your interview is absolutely horrible, it shouldn't affect you negatively. Going to an interview when offered one does show interest in the school. But I agree with memphismom, you should respond one way or the other and if you feel like you really make an awful impression, then politely excuse yourself (although that in itself may say something to the interviewer). Interviewing is good practice for life--you are going to have to learn how to do it sometime. My son has really enjoyed his college interviews.</p>
<p>yea i got an email today...this guy wants to do a phone interview...i'd much rather just do a face-to-face though :-D</p>
<p>What kind of questions do they generally ask? Like, what if the conversation lags or something. I'm really nervous about this. I just don't wanna come off as awkward. I think I will do the interview, but just out of curiosity, how many people actually refuse to take the interview?</p>
<p>Actually, the meeting isn't really an interview if you're applying for College of Arts and Sciences (which I am). Instead, it's an "informal conversation" that isn't " required and are meant only to allow an additional opportunity for the student to learn more about Cornell." </p>
<p>I mean, I don't have any questions and I feel like I know everything I need to know about Cornell because I've done my research and I've talked to my friends who go there. And after looking at their website Cornell</a> University Undergraduate Admissions Office - RESOURCES<br>
I got the impression that these "informal conversations" aren't really that big of a deal. What do you guys think??</p>
<p>You're right; they are not a big deal. You can learn some great stuff about Cornell while you're at it. Most people who've done them seem to have had a good time, so don't worry about it.</p>
<p>Yousonofatree is right on all accounts. Again, these are informational, not evaluative, so it's not a decisive factor in your application. It definitely doesn't hurt to do it though. I highly encourage it. You'll get the chance to talk to an alumnus/a and forge connections that might help you in the future. I loved my interviewer, and we still keep in touch. The interview low-key, so you can relax. If you're really that anxious about interviews in general, this is a great way to become more comfortable with them.</p>
<p>As for possible topics of conversation, just ask the interviewer what he/she studied at Cornell, and what were his/her favorite parts about being a Cornell student. You'd be surprised by how much people can go off of just these questions. And ask for advice--like what's one thing you must do before you graduate (academically or socially,) what were good classes, what were good places to eat, etc. Interviewers love feeling like mentors. Obviously, some of the things they say might be outdated, but it's fun to hear new perspectives.</p>
<p>lucky......if you are insightful enough to know that you may come off poorly, then you should adress those issues now. i was really nervous about the interview even though i knew it was informative only. my interviewer was really nice and i didn't feel grilled. i just answered any questions she had and asked a few general ones that you couldn't answer yes or no so she would hopefully do a lot of talking. because i am generally considered quiet, (i dislike the term shy), i thought the interviews would kill me. except for one brutal one which forever will remain in my mind as the nightmare before x-mas, the rest were great and i came away feeling like....i can do this, this is not such a big deal. cornell is going to challenge you......challenge yourself and do this!</p>
<p>i emailed my interviewer back two days ago...he didn't reply...i dunno if i should wait a little longer or email again</p>
<p>hmm...I wouldn't email again. Just wait, I guess. Why did you email your interviewer?</p>
<p>i emailed him because when he emailed me he wanted to know if the day he suggested worked for me...but its ok he emailed me back today...</p>
<p>As an Alumni interviewer myself I can tell you not to worry. In our written instructions it is made clear that our evaluation of the student can only help them and not hurt them. By all means do the interview, it can only help you.</p>
<p>Thanks. I AM doing the interview. I feel slightly nervous...but I know I shouldn't be. Can't remember if asked this question before, but what kind of questions are generally asked in the interview?</p>
<p>p.s. I'm actually really looking forward to this right now :D</p>
<p>^one thing I was asked was what else do you want Cornell to know about you that you didn't get across in the application. I talked more about my involvement in my church, and a trip I took this summer that didn't really qualify as an extracurricular. I also discussed why I like prospective major again.
also, my interviewer asked if I had any questions about Cornell that he could answer. I didn't really (since I had visited 3 times) but if I had known, I would have come up with a few. I just had to politely decline that because I didn't see any gaps in my knowledge. especially since you're doing regular decision, this might be a good opportunity to get another (although clearly biased) view of the school.</p>
<p>
For all colleges except Hotel and Arch, the interview (yes it is an interview) is informational, not evaluative.
That explains some things... I had my interview a few days ago, and it was pretty much terrible. The interviewer asked me only two questions the whole time: "What made you apply to Cornell?" and "Do you have any questions for me?" I'm not Hotel or Arch, and all of my other schools have evaluative interviews, so I was perturbed that I couldn't say anything about myself. </p>
<p>Also, my interviewer had only one or two good things to say about COrnell. She said multiple times how glad she was to be done when she graduated, how she had no time for sleeping or a social life, how she and everyone around her were always so stressed, and how friends existed at Cornell just as moral support when they all felt like giving up, "but at least it's gorgeous!" Seriously, the only good things said about Cornell during the interview were said by me. I was very put off by her negativity towards her alma mater.</p>
<p>That's really too bad that your interviewer was negative about her experience. As with any school, it is not the right place for everyone but I loved it there and when I go back now, I actually love it even more.</p>