<p>The Cornell alumnus from in my area just emailed me asking to set up an interview in the next 10 days. I've never had an interview before, so I'm seriously panicking.</p>
<p>He said that it will "take about 1 hour and is low key", but still! To the other people who have interviewed for Cornell, what was it like? Do you think it will be similar?</p>
<p>I had mine yesterday and it was extremely low key. My interviewer told me that the interview is mostly for our own benefit to be able to ask any questions we have and hear about Cornell from someone who has experienced it all. Cornell barely, if at all, considers it in their decision. No need to panic at all.</p>
<p>Mine was easygoing. I had a female alumni from i think the 1980s and we shared a bunch of interests. We talked for an hour and a half and she basically told me about her experience at cornell, talked about me for a little bit, and answered my questions.</p>
<p>S went to his interview after school, so it was casual dress. He said it was informal, mostly chat-type conversation. He came prepared for the standard “Why CALS?”, “Why you?” -type questions and never had to use them. I’d keep those in you back pocket, though, just in case.
Are the interviews evaluative? My personal opinion is -not really- Mostly they want to see an actual human being; can they respond to email; make appointments on time; dress, speak, act appropriately (for a 17 y.o.); that kind of thing. Not so much “Can you explain the basics of quantum mechanics?”, or “Name a professor in your college of choice”.
My advice: relax, be yourself, use common sense, show enthusiasm! Are they gonna wad up your app b/c you said something stupid at the interview with the alumnus? Um, no. Unless it was something like “well Cornell is my back up choice in case I don’t make Yale.”</p>
<p>I considered becoming an interviewer and thus was exposed to the process. Be relaxed, they are NOT evaluation interviews. If you leave a good impression, that can help you. If you left something off your application that you want Cornell to know about, the interview is an opportunity to share that so Cornell knows about it. Asking questions I think is the best way to leave a good impression. As long as you’re polite and honest, the interview won’t hurt your chances at all.</p>
<p>My son is having his on Thurs. 2 other students from school were all contacted by the same interviewer for theirs so she must be our area alumni person. I understand alumni interviews are informational for you and to get an impression of you for them. It is not an admissions interview. This is your chance to get a feel of whether you would fit at the school and get questions answered about things that are not on the website. You want to give a good impression so look nice and ready to talk about what interests you.</p>
<p>Just wondering, is there anyway to see if you can get an interview if you weren’t contacted for one?</p>
<p>Thanks guys, this was actually really helpful to read! I’m going to try and schedule mine for after school, I think, so that I can just wear my uniform to it.</p>
<p>@Seahawks; you can try, but if I had to say, I doubt it. Interviews are given out solely on the availability of alumni interviewers in your area and the number of applicants. Chances are, there isn’t an alumni interviewer in your area or too many kids are applying for all of them to receive an interview.</p>
<p>Many others have said it before, and I will say it again: alumni interviews don’t mean crap and it won’t influence your admission decisions. Chill and just have fun talking to that alum. That’s all there is to it.</p>
<p>I really wouldn’t sweat alumni interviews too much. I’m an alumni interviewer and we really just want to get to know more about you and answer any questions you may have. Just be yourself and you should be fine.</p>