So I applied to Cornell’s regular decision round for undergrad and got an email today from an alumni member about doing an interview.
The thing is, I’m absolutely crummy with interviews. I can’t think straight and my mind goes blank. But I have also heard that interviews are important.
Additionally, UMich was my first choice college and I was already admitted.
Should I go for the interview? Will not interviewing hurt my chances? Has anyone had a Cornell interview? How was it?
Also, I don’t currently have my drivers license (yeah I know, kinda sad) so I won’t be able to drive myself to the meeting location. Rather, my parent will have to drop me off.
It’s a little tricky if an alumni reached out to you. I posted a thread on this a while about one of my Ds safeties. An alumni reached out two weeks before EA decision. It was smack dab in the middle of December madness. My D did the interview even though she was time challenged and isn’t great at them either. I think based on this experience and what others had advised if an alumni reaches out it is best to do the interview. Is it possible to do some practice interviews prior? My D has gotten better at them with practice. Some schools she was visiting but not high on list she interviewed at for practice and also to see maybe if she was missing something special about the school. Don’t worry about driving. My D also does not drive yet and I have taken her to several interviews.
My son received an offer to interview today too. He’s going to do it. I think it is important if you get the invitation to do it. My son has his license but I drove him to his interview to his EA school. Nobody knew because I stayed away. If your parent drives you? They could stay in the car even. Don’t worry about that.
Or you could skype. Or a phone call. Those were options given to my son in the email.
I think it is important. Check this link about interviewing: https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/get-in/interviews/college-interviews-practice-questions-and-strategies
Maybe you can talk by phone or email. It is too dangerous to drive now. So you have a great reason not to travel. Take a few minutes to relax and center yourself. Jot down key questions and ideas you want to convey. I often read websites to know school colors and mascots and things the school was proud of. It was clear that I had learned about a place to learn and live. Find a comfortable place. I once did a job interview during which my Siamese cat tore through the room and threw a full cup oh hot coffee one and the floor. You gotta laugh. I got the job and the cat came with me.
I think that you should do the interview. Although my interview skills are lackluster, I did agree to an interview during the ED process. It’s very informative and casual, where you’re able to ask specific questions about Cornell and demonstrate your passion/desire to go to Cornell. Unless you mess up badly, the interview can’t hurt you in the admissions process.
The Cornell Common Data Set Page 7 shows that interviews are “considered” not required - so if you don’t want to go, then don’t! : http://dpb.cornell.edu/documents/1000567.pdf I had 2 kids admitted to NU where interviews are also not required - one was admitted ED, one admitted RD and neither interviewed.
The only concern I have around this is you’re contacted for an interview and decline. It’s not required to interview but if they ask and you don’t? Does this reflect as disinterest? My son was asked to interview at his Early Action school (WPI ) and he did (he was accepted). He received an email yesterday from a Cornell Alumni about setting up an interview. He’s going to reply to the email and see if they can set something up.
I think the distinction is? It isn’t required. But if you’re contacted and decline? Then I worry that shows lack of interest. Does this hurt one’s chances? I don’t know. I doubt any interview will help. But I am concerned declining when offered will look like disinterest.