Hi everyone!
I was recently informed that I have an alumni interview next weekend. However, this weekend falls right in between my IB mock exam weeks. I really want to be the best prepared I can for this interview but I’m worried I will be stressed out as I have exams every day leading up to it as well as after. Would it be a good idea to ask my interviewer to reschedule the interview for the following week? Would this be a valid reason? Or would it seem rude?
Thanks so much!
This might suggest a lack of capability to multitask which is highly valued. Interview is extremely important and the one I know is in a group setting, not one-on-one at a cafe. Admission rate last year for RD is less than 7%. For people who really love Brown, the interview will be their top priority. This is the last chance to make a difference.
That’s true. Thanks for replying, I appreciate the advice!
You should definitely not stress out about the interview–if anything, think of it as a nice break from your busy schedule. It’s just a conversation–super casual (though you do have to dress nice, be polite, but that’s a given). There really isn’t much to prep for. Just know how to articulate why you love Brown, what you want to study, and what you do outside of school, stuff like that. Basically, you need to know how to talk about Brown and how to talk about yourself. If you love Brown, the first should come easy to you, and the latter is nothing earth-shattering. Good luck :).
@Storyteller28, spend some time for pinned topic Brown interview FAQ and answers. Be prepared and have a consistent story. Practice so at the end it looks natural. Best wishes.
You don’t have to explain why you need to reschedule but you risk potentially being unable to find time to interview and/or having a time that’s even less convenient. Brown interviews are pretty meaningless in terms of its affect on admissions.
An old article from New York Post titled “Former Yale admissions officer reveals secrets of who gets in” is the most entertaining piece I have read regarding admission process. Don’t miss the part on interview. The interview might or might not matter … nobody knows. But please relax, you can only do things within your capacity.
No, it really matters very little **at Brown/b. As a former interviewer for Brown, I was told it’s as much, potentially more, for the applicant’s benefit as it is for the AdCom’s. Most applicants to Brown have never met anyone who actually went there and the interview is a chance to put a face to the school and answer some questions. Yes, if you’re a sociopath it could hurt you, if you tell the interviewer you’re applying to Brown because your parents made you (true story) it could hurt you, but if you really, really, really impress the interviewer it might help if you were one of the “first four out” pre-interview.
Remember, these are completely unstandardized interviews done by alumni with no training (the interaction I’m referencing above was an optional webinar)
Thank you so much for responding everyone! You all gave really great advice!
As an example, #618 at Brown interview FAQ and answers thread got admitted without an interview. I totally believe the interview matters very little compared with the rest of the application file. The Brown interview was the only interview my child walked out with a big smile. The interviewer was totally inexperienced (from I heard) and my child lead the conversation at the awkward situations. The interviewer seems appreciative when they walked out. Did the interview help? We don’t know. Obviously it does not hurt. I guess that is all it matters.
I hope one outcome from the interview is to weed out some arrogant people who apply to Brown simply trying to earn the right to brag on the news that they were admitted to many Ivies. With the yield rate of about 50%, overlap with HYPSM (SCEA) is quite serious.