Second Interview?!?

<p>I just got an email from an interviewer asking me to schedule a second alumni interview with him ASAP. I had an alumni interview about a month ago, but this is a different person, and he knew that this would be my second interview. </p>

<p>The new interviewer said he doesn't know anything about my application or about my first interview other than that it took place... but does this mean I totally mangled my first one? I didn't think it went terribly or anything... it seemed fairly standard - my interviewer asked pretty normal questions (although not very many... it was the end of the day and he seemed kind of tired/out of it), and I asked questions about H and I don't think I said anything awful.</p>

<p>Has anyone had experience with this? Has anyone who was subsequently accepted or rejected had two interviews!</p>

<p>Thanks, I'm kind of freaking out!</p>

<p>Great question, especially since I had the exact same thing happen to me today. I was, needless to say, quite shocked. My app was obviously good enough for Stanford without an interview, which makes me very uncomfortable about my Harvard interview.</p>

<p>For reference, posted by NorthStarMom: "However, from what I've been able to figure out, second interviews can occur for reasons like the following: the admissions committee is very split on the applicant, with both sides giving compelling reasons for a decision; Harvard is very interested in an applicant, but the interviewer had a negative report or gives a report that is so vague that Harvard can't make a final decision; Harvard hadn't rated the student that high, but an interviewer did for reasons that go beyond what's on the application (such as if an interviewer was impressed by a student's level of intellectual discourse, but the student's grades/ recommendations didn't reflect this); an interviewer didn't submit a report (such as if the interviewer lost their report or became too sick to send it) or an interviewer did something so inept that Harvard wants a second interview in order to leave the student with a positive impression of Harvard whether or not the student is accepted."</p>

<p>This obviously is particularly worrisome. And I didn't think anything went wrong with my first interview (in fact, I thought it went excellently), although one part was kind of odd. I had written a paper about a subject that the interviewer was an expert in. I knew this going in, but didn't mention that I knew because it wasn't particularly relevant to the paper (which was significant for several reasons). I wonder if he thought I was trying to suck up to him and feign ignorance, which was not the case. I find that highly unlikely, but I can't think of anything else to justify a second interview. My counselor mentioned that the interviewer's reports may have been too extreme, thus discounting them, or that he was sick or something. But he was a copious note-taker, and said at the end that he had more than enough to describe me. I doubt either of these scenarios.</p>

<p>firefly, when did you submit your app? I submitted mine December 1st, and my interview happened on December 12th, so it's been quite a long time since I've had one. Could this be a factor?</p>

<p>Snippet from the second interview email: "I realize you have already had your interview, but in a number of cases our local committee does two of these. So, I would like to meet with you sometime next week for this purpose. A second interview is usually shorter, so ½ hour should suffice."</p>

<p>I'm really not trying to hijack your thread, lol. I just wanted to add info to see if we can both piece this together with insight from Harvard interviewers (e.g. NSM).</p>

<p>Ooooooooh.... Forgot to mention one thing: even if having a second interview isn't good, at least we haven't been rejected yet.</p>

<p>Yep, I'm in the same boat, Baelor. The post from Northstarmom doesn't sound too encouraging, but at least we aren't rejected yet (hopefully). </p>

<p>I'm a fellow Stanford SCEA admit as well (at least we have a pretty awesome safety school!)... Although now I'm worried because if this was a bad interview, then all of the ones I did were bad because they were pretty similar to my H one. </p>

<p>The email from the second interviewer was a bit strange - he was like "you're one of the lucky few to get a second interview!" but it seemed like he might be being sarcastic (because later on he sort of apologized for me having to do it again), though it's hard to tell on email sometimes. He said to expect a 60-90 minute interview, and it seemed like he was in a major hurry... he offered to meet with me tomorrow night...</p>

<p>Anyways, glad to see I'm not the only one.</p>

<p>Okay, what I have learned:</p>

<p>Second interviews are for very specific purposes
We are def not rejected because setting up one interview takes so much time already
The adcoms want the results pronto
There is some protocol for doing this</p>

<p>you guys get two interviews? i didn't? booo. i want my $60 back.</p>

<p>Most people get one interview at most -- whether or not they get in. Most accepted students get at most one interview.</p>

<p>All we know is that some applicants get second interviews, presumably because admissions officers want a second opinion. Most students whom I've seen get second interviews do not get in. No surprise: Most Harvard applicants don't get in.
Best of luck.</p>

<p>I just scheduled my second interview today and I am really worried...I know that this means that we haven't been rejected yet, but I feel as though this interview is going to be a HUGE determining factor in their decision. =/ </p>

<p>My first Harvard interview went extremely well, but I know that my application wasn't particularly stellar. I guess that would be a reason for them to be on the fence?</p>

<p>If I got into Stanford, I would say screw it to Harvard especially if they wanted a second interview.</p>

<p>^country angel, at least knowing where the problem may lie is better than having no idea at all!</p>

<p>That's true, Baelor. </p>

<p>Good luck to you all! When are your second interviews? Mine is on Tuesday.</p>

<p>Interestingly, mine is as well. And I talked to my counselor who knows the interviewer, and the circumstances may be quite a bit stranger than even the ones NSM has mentioned.</p>

<p>Anyway, best of luck, of course...</p>

<p>I wish I could talk to my college counselor about the situation...we're off this week for winter break, so I can't get in touch with her until next Monday.</p>

<p>Mine's on Monday. Best of luck to both of you guys!</p>

<p>@Baelor - I don't mean to pry, but strange in what way? Good? Bad?</p>

<p>It would be good. But I doubt the scenario.</p>

<p>To be honest, if it appeared that the interview went well, I assume a split committee over anything else. I doubt that the interviewers would write vague reports in cases in which students thought they did well. And in my case, if there were any suspicion of my not having good integrity, they would immediately dismiss my case, I would think, even though my other recs were supposedly great. I'm assuming a split committee since I just don't see anything else happening.</p>

<p>firefly, please let us know how it goes, and what types of questions were asked! Then this thread becomes incredibly useful for future applicants who are called back for a second interview. It sounds like every case would be different, but even knowledge of whether it truly was a second interview or pointed to certain parts of the app or something would be nice.</p>

<p>Good providence to you!</p>

<p>Good luck today, firefly! Please do let us know how it goes. :)</p>

<p>Goodluck firefly!</p>

<p>D just found a voice mail on her cell phone from Harvard asking her to come in for an on-campus interview. She had an alumni interview in January and as far as she could tell that interview had gone very well. She felt she made good connections w/ the alum. She was offered dates in very early March.</p>

<p>Smoda, how far are you guys from Harvard? That sounds better than having another alum interview.</p>