I was just contacted by a Lafayette alumna to set up a date and time for an interview, but I get extremely nervous and I’m a bad interviewer, so I wasn’t planning on doing one before I got this email. Is it bad if I don’t answer? Lafayette isn’t one of my top choices so I’m okay with it hurting my chances a little, but I know that doing the interview would probably hurt my chances even more. What do I do?
IMO the worst thing you can do is not to respond. Personally I’d do the interview. Typically alumni interviews are typically pretty low key as they are not professional interviewers. Just showing up will provide that “demonstrated interest” that the school likes to see. My S who did not think he would interview well ended up doing a Skype interview for a top choice college and it went well – I think that gave him confidence interviewing for jobs down the road.
I’d go prepared – bring a resume if you have one, google “typical college interview questions” to get an idea of what might be asked, have a reason why Lafayette is a good fit for you/why you would be good for Lafayette, and have a couple of questions ready about the school (ex. ask about the interviewer’s experiences, why he/she picked Lafayette etc.). It is also OK to tell the alumni interviewer up front that you have not interviewed for other schools and that you are a bit nervous.
I agree. Demonstrated interest is very important to Lafayette. And, even though it’s not one of your top picks the interview is a learning experience that is worth your time IMO.
You should definitely respond, as it’s rude not to. I personally wouldn’t turn down the interview, but that’s up to you. However, I don’t know why you’d even bother to apply to a school if you’re not willing to interview there.
I understand interviews are nervewracking, but don’t you expect to interview at your top choice school(s)? It seems unlikely that you’ll get through this process without committing to some interviews…