I just had my Vanderbilt interview yesterday, and I was just wondering if it is customary to send a thank you email?
I think it is a nice touch if brief.
I think it is a good idea. It shows that you care about the school, and that you appreciate the interviewer’s time. I do alumni interviews for my alma mater (a selective school) and always appreciate when students write thank you notes. Handwritten or e-mail is fine.
Yep, keep it brief, and include one or two references to things you discussed in the interview, like “I was especially excited about the [research opportunity] you mentioned.”
Daughter had scheduled an interview today. A confirmation email was received. The interviewer never showed up, never called to cancel etc. we sent an email and have not heard back. Very Unprofessional. This has also happened to another two friends of hers in the last month.
That is stressful! I have heard multiple stories about students waiting in one Starbucks while their would-be interviewer waits in another.
I view a thank you note to be a firm requirement for someone taking their time to speak with you about their alma mater. Thank them, make at least one specific comment on reflection and sign off. Get it out quickly. Handwritten is best. Email thank yous are OK.
I doubt it will help your application as a whole, but I think its definitely a polite thing to do.
Interviewers shoot off their responses to the admissions staffers quickly. Your email or note should be rapid and quick. AnnieBot is correct that the interview very likely has little to no impact on your outcome. Nevertheless, conduct yourself like an adult. Interviews of any kind require a note of thanks, even if you don’t want the job, don’t want to attend College X, or dislked the person who interviewed you. Habits matter. When you do attend College X, you will only be interviewing again multiple times for various things during your college years.
Finally got a message back and interviewer said “sorry I double booked and blew you off” lame excuse if you ask me. Told me daughter to text and she will respond right back, and it has been 27 hours. Even if we interview with this person now I doubt she will follow up with a reference letter.
very rude. And a poor way to treat an applicant to your alma mater. I would def send a quick explanation to the admissions office in case another name can be given out for interview opportunity.
Hmm…seems like I’m not the only person who had little problems with scheduling a Vandy interview. I had couple interviewers available in my area. I requested an interview with one of them. Two days later, the interviewer responded with a terse note, without addressing my name, saying he no longer conduct interviews. I then requested an interview with another interviewer. 7 days passed, no response. I then sent out a third request, and finally set up my interview.
the only positive spin I can put on this: this does reflect what it takes to get jobs, internships and positions. Persistence, a thick skin, a realistic readiness for rejection and an ability to keep things in perspective. My Vandy son was rejected for at least 50% of things he interviewed for over his college career and the process could be arduous and unfair at times. (NOT an excuse for callous neglect of your duties as a Rep for your alma mater.)
We canceled with interviewer #1 and went with interviewer #2. That one quickly sent us an email that “I am not conducting interviews at this time.” Interesting enough, Lady #1 must have received notice that we canceled (through the website) and my daughter is scheduled to interview with her again (LOL) on Wednesday. I will update and let you all know how it went. BTW, friends of mine in other cities do the interviews for Vandy and have said they have been stood up before by the prospective students.
Let us know how your interview went and good luck 
I think you should always send a quick thank you for your time and sharing your experience with me note.
My daughter had her Vandy interview last Friday. She picked the first person on the list and got a quick response. She met her interviewer in a local coffee shop, and they hit it off immediately. She chatted with her interviewer for an hour and a half. She is sending her a thank you note asap.