<p>Hello. I have a Stanford alumni interview next week and was wondering if anybody had some advice. I know that I need to be unique, and I am debating on whether what I should capitalize on. I am diabetic, a competitive bowler, do debate, and come from a divorced low-income family. Also, what does Stanford want in an applicant and how can I reflect that in the interview? My common app supplement essays were not very good and was also wondering how I could compensate for that, possibly bringing up why they weren't good? I appreciate any and all advice. Thank you very much.</p>
<p>Just be yourself.</p>
<p>eddie.^ yes.</p>
<p>Does everybody get an interview? Is that not being offered an interview implies that I am somehow disqualified?!</p>
<p>Not at all cwl. Interviews for Stanford are only available in certain regions of the country, because they’ve only begun interviewing in recent years. Not having an interview puts you at no disadvantage in the admissions process, and many of this year’s accepted students didn’t have interviews. </p>
<p>As for interview advice, seriously just be yourself. Your interviewer will see right away if you’re just emphasizing your resume, it’s better to just sit down and have a nice chat with them about your life and aspirations. I can tell you that some of the obvious questions are why Stanford, what do you want to study and why, what’s a challenge in life that you’ve overcome, and HAVE QUESTIONS. Also, they love to see intellectual vitality, curiosity, and commitment (just like in the essays).</p>
<p>(I was accepted EA and had an interview)</p>
<p>And don’t bring up “why your essays weren’t very good”. First of all it’s unlikely that your interviewer has seen them. And second, such a conversation can easily set a negative tone for the interview.</p>