Hello, CC community!
I’ve received an invite for a Stanford alumni interview next week and want some tips on how to prepare. I know I should be myself, be casual, and don’t come off as pretentious or start on topics like “this is why my ACT score is only subpar” or “my essays were terrible because…”
Anything else? How was your experience? For those from previous years, were you accepted? Do you think the interview played a crucial role in your acceptance/rejection?
Thanks in advance! 
It’s casual and it’s supposed to be a sharing thing. It’s an opportunity for you to get the interviewer’s impressions of Stanford and the interviewer passes on their impressions of you to the Admissions Committee.
@JustOneDad did your daughter/son go to Stanford? Or at least apply to/interview with them?
Are you wondering about how the interview went?
@JustOneDad yes
They go fine. Stanford alumni are nice folks. They’re not there to check up on you or grill you. They’re interested in fine young students and want to help their alma mater out.
They like it when you ask questions, especially if it is about something you are interested in as opposed to just asking for the sake of asking. Some of them feel like they talked about themselves too much during the interview, so don’t make them do that (unless it relates to something you would like to know about Stanford.)
Not many HS students have had the chance to interview for anything before. Have you ever had one for anything?
@JustOneDad That’s nice to hear! I have some questions to ask already. Thank you!
I’ve only interviewed for a couple jobs and scholarship opportunities through school, but that’s it.
That’s good. Having done even a few interviews helps calm the anxiety.
Bumppp
Relax. FYI, the Stanford interviews will seriously not do much for your application. The only effect they could reasonably have is giving Stanford a reason to reject you (if the interviewer realizes you’re racist or something, not answering “Why Stanford?” unsatisfactorily), and the chances of that are slim. I came in with no preparation whatsoever except for a few questions I had prepared, and one of them was “Does Stanford have the kind of pretentious air that is sometimes found in similar schools on the East Coast?” (paraphrased), so unless you REALLY offend them, it’ll be fine.
Just had my interview today and the one piece of advice I can give you is: relax.
I actually didn’t get asked a single question about why Stanford/programs I was interested in, etc. which was a little surprising, after all I’ve read about doing your research. (I’d still do a little prep though, just in case!) I was mostly asked about my personal and academic interests, like favorite classes, extracurriculars, etc. The whole interview is seriously very conversational. I read somewhere it’s like getting to know the stranger next to you on an airplane- and now I can affirm that’s true!
Best of luck for your interview!
Thank you so much! Whew, I’m glad haha my interviewer is a very impressive person (medical assistant professor, pediatric surgeon,) so I was so afraid of making a fool of myself or something! Best of luck to you as well
@minuets
If Stanford does not call for interview means rejection? is that correct?
Relax. No. Interviews are still in its pilot/roll-out phase for most states, cities, and countries. Not getting an interview will have no bearing on your acceptance or rejection. The majority of the Stanford applicants are not interviewed including California students…
@test12345 no, because the interview is optional and that completely depends on whether or not there are any alumni from that school living in your area I was fortunate to have one living nearby.
I do know two kids both applying to stanford in the same city in Colorado. One was asked to do the interview. The other wasn’t. Will be interesting to see if either gets in.
Within certain regions they try to interview everyone. Alum interviewers may contact people at different times. Judging by the fact that several posters here have said that their applications haven’t been fully processed yet, I think it may take some time for all of the interviews to be scheduled.
Kids here had them over the course of about six weeks last year. And most importantly, it is of almost no significance! If you are invited to one, go, ask good questions and hopefully you’ll learn something new. But try not to get too stressed about it because unless you do something truly horrendous, it’s just not going to make a difference. Remember that a majority of applicants do not even have the option of an interview, so it doesn’t carry much weight.
Just curious how when do people usually hear if they are eligible for an interview?
From the Stanford web page:
For the 2014–15 admission cycle the Office of Undergraduate Admission will operate the optional alumni interview program (based on applicant’s high school location) in the following areas: Chicago, Raleigh-Durham and Washington, D.C. as well as the following states: Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Texas, Virginia, Washington, and Wyoming.
Interviews will also be offered internationally in Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Japan, Luxemburg, Mexico (Mexico City and Nueva León only), the Netherlands, Singapore, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. New interview locations will be added over the next several years.
Even if you live in one of those areas, it is possible that you might not get an interview if not enough alumni are available. Interviewers will work on their own schedule, so I don’t think anyone can tell you what the timeframe will be.