<p>I think my dad was just worried because it was at someone’s house. I’ve had interviews in public places before. I’m also perfectly independent and confident and able to speak to adults - don’t worry about that. He just wanted to say hi and leave.</p>
<p>I think what I’ll do is let him come for a couple secs if he wants to, but try and discourage him/my mom. What I’ve learned senior year is to pick my battles - sometimes its not worth it.</p>
<p>
I think the on-campus interviewers are doing more of a sales job, so they’d like to make the pitch to the parents as well.</p>
<p>I agree with those who think it’s marginally better for the kid to appear alone. If your dad wants to know what time to pick you up, ask the interviewer and then step back to the car to tell your dad.</p>
<p>waitingforivy,
When the interview is at some stranger’s house, rather than in a public place, I can fully understand the concerns of a parent who wants to drive you there and get a feel for the place, or even want to come to the door. I am sure the interviewer did not think twice about it.</p>
<p>^ I think that was basically it. Even in college, you wouldn’t necessarily be expected to go to someone’s house who you don’t know alone - living in a dorm isn’t the same.</p>
<p>Either way is fine. Not real keen on meeting at the interviewers home, though.</p>
<p>For two of the three on-campus interviews I’ve had, my interviewer has taken time to speak with my parents. In one case it was quick small talks. In the most recent case she fielded any questions/comments my parents had and we all spoke for around 10 mins.</p>
<p>“How many HS seniors want to be seen with their parents anyway?” - Not many. But for better or for worse… the college journey/investment is a family affair. I think it makes sense for waitingforivy to pick her battles and give a little on point that seem important to the parent.</p>
<p>From what I’ve read/heard, interviews for most schools are not a big swinger in the admission decision. They mostly provide students with info and weed out a few clearly inappropriate choices.</p>
<p>If the interview is at someone’s house in a suburban area, and the student does not drive there for whatever reason, it is a little hard to conceal the fact that the student is being dropped off and picked up, unless there is a bus stop nearby, and I suspect that interviewers realize this. </p>
<p>But if the interview is in a public place and the student does not drive to the interview, it seems customary for the student and parent to part ways out in the parking lot or down the street and for the student to leave the coffee house (or whatever the place is), walk a bit away, and then call the parent for a pick-up.</p>
<p>In my opinion, interviews shouldn’t be at the interviewer’s house anyway, but that’s another subject.</p>
<p>Now that I’ve been through the process, I’m rather glad my kids never had n interview at a private house, only in public places such as coffee shops or hotel lobbies. As an adult, I wouldn’t want to invite kids over my house and I’d arrange for a coffee shop meeting.</p>
<p>OP, I think you are seeing there’s no one right or wrong easy answer here, since it’s a matter of perceptions. You both want to “look good” to an interviewer, which is natural and commendable. You all care. Start from mutual good intentions. You wonder now only about the method.</p>
<p>I find myself hoping you are just discussing this at home, not fighting about it. To discuss it could be illuminating to all, a teachable moment about where everyone sits in this current stage of the college application process. </p>
<p>If, for example, they say they want the interviewer to “know you didn’t come from an indifferent home where they’d just drop you off and roar away,” or “we want him to know you come from a good family” you can consider that. And possibly reassure them that you bring that wherever you go. They have raised you well; it’s evident to those you meet.</p>
<p>If they were worried for your personal safety because it was a private house not a public place, you can discuss that aspect together. There is an old thread in this forum about that. If I find it timely, I’ll post it downthread (or someone might help there). As I recall, that thread got a bit contentious!</p>
<p>If they thought they might glad-hand and somehow tip the interview result more favorably, I don’t think that is valid at all, but at least you realize that this is their current belief system. Clearly, you have to be the one to gain entry.</p>
<p>If they think you’re sometimes shy at first, you can encourage them to trust the evaluation skills of the interviewer. A good interviewer of young people takes that into account and gets beyond it. I often size up an interview when I’m not there by asking the applicant about who talked the most, or was it a balance? As long as you spoke up during the interview as it developed, initial shyness is no problem. I often think parents are too anxious on that issue on behalf of shy children. </p>
<p>If they say they can’t explain it, it just felt odd to see you go off to a strange door without them, and realize your college journey has started in earnest…just give them a hug, especially if you’re their oldest. They’re having growing pains.</p>
<p>I interview for an Ivy; usually in my house (I’ll have other family members in the house, but not in the room) and would totally understand if parents wanted to meet me for a few seconds to see I was probably a normal person before leaving their kid. Most of the kids do walk or drive themselves. What is awkward is if they have absolutely nothing to say so after 15 minutes the interview is basically over and I have to chatter at them for another half hour until parents show up. Not being able to get to my house on their own does not have any impact on my write-up.</p>
<p>My parents kinda thought that it looks bad to just drop me off and leave, and thats why they should say hi. </p>
<p>@Muffy333 - Her young son and I think the babysitter were home. She told me it would take about an hour, and it did. I only waited for my parents for about 2-3 minutes, and it really wasn’t awkward.</p>
<p>When both of my daughters have had interviews on campus, and we had obviously brought them to the campus for a visit, every single admissions rep made a point of meeting with us after the interview. Actually at an interview at Brandeis, we had gone to eat lunch after shaking hands with the rep. We told D where to find us. However, D ran to get us after the interview because the admissions person wanted to speak to us again.</p>
<p>So I cetrtainly don’t think there is anything wrong with saying hello at the least.</p>
<p>Both are ok. As an interviewer, there are no guidelines on this. Having interviewed 30+ kids for Harvard, I have never had to meet the parents. That being said, I understand that they pick up and drop off their kids. When I interviewed at Harvard I drove myself. But if I were the student, I agree with pizzagirl, a discrete drop-off seems most appropriate. Treat the kid like an adult. Say it was a high school kid at the same age interviewing for a job at a local place. Would the manager have to shake hands with the parents before having the 17 year old interview? Especially when he may be competing against 24 year old applicants?</p>
<p>Also, I conduct off-campus interviews and I always do so in a public place like a tea or coffee shop. I was interviewed at someone’s house and it just seems to me more comfortable in a public place for all parties as long as it’s not too loud. For me I am not worrying about my place receiving “guests” and the applicant does not feel like they are in “my” space, which could be imposing.</p>
<p>Are all your Starbucks that crowded? There are sooooo many that I’ve never ever had a problem with them being crowded or otherwise difficult to hold an interview in.</p>