<p>I've been contacted by a princeton alumni for an interview this week and apparently, the interview is being held at his house. How often does this happen and is it customary for the interviewee to bring in any thing (e.g. roses)?? </p>
<p>Thank you for your advice!</p>
<p>LOL bringing Roses :P Well If you are a male you bring wine; if you are a girl you bring flowers.... not roses unless he/she is your lover. </p>
<p>You shouldnt come empty handed.</p>
<p>Do not bring anything with you, its not expected. Typically interviews shouldn't even be done at the interviewer's house, I find that very odd.</p>
<p>LOL roses.....</p>
<p>wow. I actually would say bring nothing. Send a thank you e-mail for sure to thank them for their time afterwards, but DON'T bring anything like wine or flowers -- for goodness sakes, you don't even know them. And you can't even drink wine yourself yet I bet.</p>
<p>EDIT: Plus, I don't find this weird. It makes it convenient for the interviewer...the one I find weird is the request for MIT where the interviewer went to my friend's house. My friend found it awkward to be talking in his own environment, not to mention pondering over what he should wear for the interview when he usually doesn't wear nice, casual clothes within his own home</p>
<p>Two years ago, my D's Princeton interview was over at our house. It lasted for over 2 hours. Every one of my D's interview was at the interviewer's house, and she had 10. It is not that uncommon.</p>
<p>I'm an alumnae interviewer for another college and they now recommend we not interview in our homes-but I used to do this.</p>
<p>Unefille, just in case you're not totally clear or convinced by the preceding replies: it is NOT usual for the interviewer to bring a gift to an interview -- it would be awkward and wrong. Don't do it. </p>
<p>Good luck.</p>
<p>yeh i had a Georgeotown, and now a Dartmouth interivew at the interviewrs house... its not that bad..</p>
<p>My son will be doing an interview at an alum's home too. He thought it was a little unusual (all the others have been at cafes, etc), but I think that the interviewer probably is more comfortable there. We'll see how it goes.</p>
<p>"I'm an alumnae interviewer for another college and they now recommend we not interview in our homes"</p>
<p>Ditto, I guess this isn't a hard and fast rule. That being said, I still don't recommend bringing flowers or roses.</p>
<p>No thank-you present afterwards either. Parents do not walk up with the student, if need to wait in the car.</p>
<p>Pre-Starbuck's this was a common practice.</p>
<p>It is customary that one never comes empty handed to someone's house! It is considered rude not to bring anything. I dont care if it's for a cocktail party or an interview it's the same difference. It shows that you respect and admire the host and household. I come from an international background possibly in American society is considered more appropriate not too. If anything bringing something or not shouldnt 'hurt' your chances with the interview. Just be gracious and kind, you are in the house of the alum. It'll be fine.</p>
<p>I would not take anything other than your resume or a copy of your application or other written work. Gifts are inappropriate.</p>
<p>brandybeer - bringing a gift to an interview shows that you MISUNDERSTAND the nature of the interaction at hand. The interviewer is not 'hosting' you, or treating you, or doing anything other than his professional (albeit volunteered) duty. He may be warm and friendly in the course of the interview, but it is still not a social occasion. And to the extent that a slight veneer of 'socialness' is mixed in, this should be minimized and overlooked, not played up into more than it is. Bringing a gift just seems a bit cheesy.</p>
<p>Cheesy... more like classy. </p>
<p>If you are going to someone's home, he or she in effect is hosting you!</p>
<p>Doesn't that make sense? It's not inappropriate at all. If anything it shows that you are acquainted with social decorum. Also, these interviews are more social than professional. </p>
<p>Bringing a nice gift will never ever be considered rude or inappropriate. It is a friendly gesture of appreciation. Had the interview been at Starbucks, it would have been silly and inappropriate to bring a gift. But, at someone's home and personal residence it is something gracious and kind.</p>
<p>Also, after an interview it is expected that you write a little note of appreciation to the interviewer. Are you against that too? </p>
<p>Is that a tad out of the ordinary or over-familiar?</p>
<p>I think not!</p>
<p>i think it would be more awkward to bring wine especially because almost everyone being interviewed is underage. </p>
<p>and i beleive it is more professional than social. Its not you meeting an old friend you haven't seen in a while, rather it is an important meeting that can potentially effect your college chances and through that your life.(extreme case i know)</p>
<p>i would recommend a follow-up letter though</p>
<p>My Princeton interview was at the guy's house.</p>
<p>I don't know. It seems like a fair enough place to do an interview. If I were doing these, and wanted to interview everyone on separate days, I'd hold interviews at my house.</p>
<p>D's interview was at the Alum's house last year. She did not bring anything as it is not expected or really appropriate. She is currently at PU.</p>