<p>Hey guys,</p>
<p>Let's use this thread to talk about anything that has to do with interviews for this year's SCEA applicants...such as when your interview is, how it was, what questions are typically asked, what questions were asked, etc.</p>
<p>I had my interview today! It was actually great and I loved talking to the alumni (even though he was Class of '72 and didn’t know what the Bridge Year program was).
We met in a coffee shop and talked for about an hour and a half.
He asked me to describe myself, what my favorite classes are/were, what I do outside of schoolwork, what I do with idle time, etc. They were mostly easy softball questions but I don’t think he usually interviews so that may be why.
He seemed especially impressed when I told him that I figured out his email address was an anagram of his name!
Overall, he said I was a great fit for Princeton and that he would write me a very good recommendation. I’m keeping my fingers crossed for an acceptance in a month!</p>
<p>That’s awesome! My interviewer’s class of '07 so she’s prob much more updated with school programs. But anyways, an hour and a half is pretty long wow…mine told me to expect a 30 minute interview and I think she has others scheduled before and after me. Did you bring in your resume? And if so, did he actually look at it and tailor the conversation accordingly? Cause mine specifically asked to bring mine in and I feel like she’s gonna do that</p>
<p>I had my interview yesterday. My interviewer was class of '10, so he had some very up-to-date information! It was great - really informal. He didn’t ask me to bring anything (like a resume) which was fine, because we didn’t need it anyway. He just asked me why I wanted to go to Princeton and I basically answered all if his questions in one go! He asked me how my friends would describe me and what I did for fun (i.e. what I would bring to the campus). The whole thing lasted about an hour. It was great that he actually majored in what I want to major (I’m not sure if that was arranged intentionally). Good luck to everyone!</p>
<p>I was interviewed by a member of the class of '11, so he was all up-to-date, even knew two of my friends who are at Princeton now. We met at Starbucks and it was pretty informal, although he did bring a clipboard and seemed to write down everything I said. He did major in the same thing I indicated as one of my majors, so I’m wondering: did anyone else seem to have been matched to their interviewer by major and/or demographic similarities?</p>
<p>I found out that she’s my high school alum which is really cool. She majored in Woody Woo but I’m interested in sociology…I guess they’re somewhat similar. Btw, at a cafe like Starbucks, are we supposed to get something to drink before the interview? What am I supposed to say if she offers me to get something? I’m getting unnecessarily super stressed out about this lol. I’m glad your interviews went well btw 
Good luck!</p>
<p>When did you find out about the interview?</p>
<p>Some time last week</p>
<p>Happyppah, she shouldn’t offer to buy you anything, she’s not allowed to (it’s against the alum interviewer committee’s policies). You could offer to buy her something if you want to, but I’m not sure if it’s allowed either. If you’re meeting at Starbucks you should at least buy something for yourself before the interview, it’s rude to meet in a cafe without getting anything from the cafe.
Relax, and good luck!</p>
<p>Just got my interview email today, so I’ll do it sometime in the next week depending on when we schedule it.</p>
<p>I had my interview last night, and it went very well!</p>
<p>@gutsandglory yea but my friends who had their interviews already all were treated with food before the interview. they were at cafes and were offered something to eat and they actually ordered which the interviewer paid for. that’s why i was confused haha i guess i’ll just go with the flow. thanks!</p>
<p>
I’ve never heard of such a thing. Even if you were a recruited athlete, under scrutiny of NCAA guidelines, de minimus purchases are meaningless if you’re being interviewed in the normal course just like non-athletes.</p>
<p>Of course the interviewer can offer you a bite/drink.</p>
<p>For the students: DON’T offer to buy the interviewer a drink. That’s not your place. Allow them to offer you one, accept if you’d like it – decline if you wish as well. If you arrive early, feel free to buy yourself whatever. Treat this as you would if you were to go to lunch with a senior manager at your workplace. You wouldn’t go to the restaurant and offer to buy her the meal – it’s understood who is the senior and who is the junior. Allow the senior to dictate. Business/social protocols… simple.</p>
<p>My son got an email today and will be interview tomorrow.
- Did any of your parents go with you? If they did, did he/she sit with you or stay away?
- What questions did you ask the interviewer?
- How did you dress?</p>
<p>I know is supposed to be a casual interview and they also will be meeting at a Starbucks cafe. Your reply will be appreciated</p>
<p>@Saona63
- I took my son to his interview but dropped him off and picked him up after he was done. I would recommend parents not be seen at all during the interview time.<br>
- He asked his interviewer a few questions about what he liked at Princeton and what made him choose to go there. Mostly all the questions he prepared to ask were answered in conversation as the interviewer talked quite a bit more than he anticipated. But it was a great meeting and was followed up by an e-mail of congratulations to my son when he was accepted.<br>
- My son wore a dress shirt, suit jacket and dress pants/shoes to the interview (no tie). They also met at a coffee shop but my son chose to treat it as business casual. I think that’s the best approach.</p>
<p>saona: under NO circumstances should a parent sit at the table or even within earshot of the interview. It’s a private conversation and no parent is invited. To suggest otherwise would reflect very poorly on the maturity/independence of the applicant.</p>
<p>It’s absolutely fine that you drive/accompany the student to the meeting. But after shaking hands with the interviewer, make yourself scarce. If you have any questions, surely the interviewer will give you a few moments afterward. </p>
<p>It’ll be fine. Good luck w/your kid’s meeting</p>
<p>What T26E4 suggests is fine - but I would barley suggest that
Let your kids interview be YOUR KIDS interview</p>
<p>Had my interview today! Went super well, and I didn’t feel nearly as nervous as I thought I would.</p>
<p>@Cantiger, thank you for your reply. I will stay away! lol, I was just asking.
My S is mature and very independent and can definitely handle this by himself. Let’s see how it goes</p>
<p>S had his interview today. Gentleman is an Emory/Princeton alumni 1999. According to my S went very well. It was more informative from the interviewer than questions asked. They talked quite a bit on my S swimming/water polo and his international travel.
BTW, my S drove himself and I was nowhere to be found:))) lol</p>