<p>I got an email from an Ivy alum telling me he was my interviewer, but that because he's a little while away from me, we are going to have a phone interview. However, it really isn't all that far away (~ 1 hour) and I would prefer to have an in-person interview (I'm not a great phone person). I'm trying to figure out how to phrase an email response to him, requesting it to be in person. I'm trying to say that I wouldn't mind driving that far, and possibly something about how I think I'd be able to show who I am better in-person, but I don't want to be pushy. Any parents and/or interviewers have any suggestions for how to phrase an email like this?</p>
<p>I like the former but not the latter - i.e. if you’re willing to drive an hour to the interviewer’s location you could offer to do that and make it easy on them but if you say you can show yourself off better in person it comes across wrong to me (whether it’s true or not).</p>
<p>If that doesn’t fly then maybe you can do a video call with the person via Skype or something else.</p>
<p>Also keep in mind that this might be that interviewer’s way of saying they simply feel more comfortable with phone interviews than in person ones.</p>
<p>I have conducted interviews like this for my UG (an Ivy, if that matters). I agree with GGD, go ahead and make the offer to drive the hour if that’s what you want, but I wouldn’t mention the “better in person” part. It doesn’t convey the right message and he might think you are a little unsure of yourself (which you may be, but you don’t want him to think that). It is likely the interviewer made the offer to conduct the interview over the phone instead of in-person as a matter of courtesy and convenience. He probably didn’t want to drive an hour and didn’t want to make you drive an hour either. If he still wants to conduct the interview over the phone, I wouldn’t push the issue and just arrange for a convenient time for the phone interview.</p>
<p>I can’t speak for other schools, but the alumni interview process I have been involved with is not really an evaluation as much as it is an opportunity to pass kowledge on to you about the school through the eyes of someone who went there and to give you an opportunity to pass on information to the school you feel may have not been captured in the application. I don’t ask about grades or test scores. The school has all that. I would rather discuss why you are interested in the school, what it offers you and you offer in return and what you are interested in/care about. Think about some of that and ask questions of your own about campus, classes, ECs, food, sports or whatever (keeping in mind that it may have been a while since he was there and things may have changed some). It’s your chance to learn more about the school. It may help you make the right decision for you if you are accepted. </p>
<p>Good luck.</p>
<p>Thanks so much! Took you guys’ advice, so now I’ll just keep my fingers crossed. Much appreciated!</p>