<p>My D and I just got done w/ a trip to visit a college. The trip included her 1st college interview. I asked if I could sit in on an informational session being held during the same time as D's interview; I was told I could, but that they would come and get me part way through because I needed to be in the last half of the interview?! It ended up being an opportunity for me to ask questions (and obviously I had no trouble coming up w/ questions since if I did I probably wouldn't be posting to CC!). However, this caught me very off guard because I had no idea parents were involved during college interviews. Is this typical? The primary reason I am wondering about this is my daughter has an interview scheduled next month w/ an admissions officer from a different out-of-state school. He will be in our general area, so the dates are not flexible. Because I cannot take her to this interview, her dad (my ex) has agreed to take her. He is not at all invovled in her college search, so I am wondering should we prepare him to be ready to be included in the last part of the interview, or was our experience the other day unusual? </p>
<p>“However, this caught me very off guard because I had no idea parents were involved during college interviews. Is this typical?”</p>
<p>Typical? No. Most college interviews are with the applicant solely as you suspect. However, since they knew you were nearby, they took the extra effort to meet and try to sell you as well. You must remember that this is a two-way courtship. I highly doubt that anything you shared or asked would be evaluated in terms of your daughter’s chances. However, they get a chance to “shine brightly” before the applicant’s parent and also a chance to glean the likelihood of her matriculating if offered a spot.</p>
<p>Yes indeed you were part of the interview but perhaps not in the fashion you expected. </p>
<p>I’m an alumni interviewer and routinely will ask a parent who is dropping off their kid if they have any questions of me at the end of the interview. I genuinely want to be available to present a product on behalf of my school. It’s good public relations.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t worry about your ex other than to mention the interviewer will likely be willing to answer any questions he may have. No need for him to prepare anything in advance, IMHO.</p>
<p>The interview can serve a number of purposes. One is to learn about the student. Another is to ‘sell’ the school. I think our inclusion in the process is part of the latter. Schools recognize that parents are part of the process and want you in their corner should your child be admitted.</p>
<p>If anything, your ex should look engaged, like he’s really considering the school – though honestly, I don’t think it will make any difference at all.</p>
<p>Thanks for the responses. I guess my suggestion that my D at least fill him in on which college it is, where it is located, and why she is interested in applying there has some merit :)</p>