<p>Okay, I had my Columbia interview about two weeks ago...and it wasn't really an interview! I met this alum, really nice and super intelligent...but all he wanted to talk about was his time spent overseas in Africa! Seriously, I heard some stories about shooting lions in his backyard...cannabilism in the local villages...questionable government people...it was fascinating, but the only time he ever mentioned Columbia was when he asked, "So you're a legacy, right?" To which I replied, "Yes," then he wrote a note, talked about how he planned to write a great recommendation letter for me, and talked more about Africa. Has anybody ever had an interview go quite like this?</p>
<p>I’ve had a couple of strange interviews as well. At one the interviewer barely asked me any questions, and instead just talked on and on about the school. I don’t know how she could write me a recommendation. At the another one the interviewer was incredibly akward (he went to a nerdy tech school) and there were many akward silences despite my attempts to keep the conversation going.
I think you’re fine since he said he would write you a great conversation.</p>
<p>*recommendation</p>
<p>Don’t worry. It is my understanding that most of these alumni interviews are for the benefit of the alumni (to make them feel connected to the school so that they continue to give money) and have very little to no bearing at all on your application.</p>
<p>^^ Actually they make a marginal difference.</p>
<p>Casey, don’t worry about it–sounds lke it went fine, and as long as you didn’t do anything stupid, you’re golden.</p>
<p>My interviewer stopped for long pauses to process what I told him and make new questions. It was awkward at first, but half way through he mentioned that his pauses had nothing to do with me, and he was just thinking. Also, he was eating a sandwich, quite loudly, while he asked me questions.</p>
<p>It was actually a very fun conversation and a great interview. Said I was his best so far (it was one of those mass interviews. 5-10 alumni convened at a law office to interview a seemingly large amount of applicants).</p>
<p>Highly doubt I would be even considered for admission. I can’t touch the 4.0’s or 2000+ SAT scores.</p>
<p>Hi guys! I’m a senior at Columbia who works with the Admissions Office. Interviews DO matter. They are seriously considered by the Admissions Committee. However, if you don’t have one, it definitely doesn’t hurt you. If you had a strange or uncomfortable interview experience, please let the Admissions Office know. They take the interview process very seriously and definitely want it to be positive for students. Hope this helps!</p>
<p>You guys are lucky to even have interviews! I got just one, from Princeton. It went great because she worked for the US Embassy and I worked for a local NGO that worked closely with them so we had a lot of mutual interests to discuss. But yeah, even she spoke A LOT about her days at the college, which made me want to scream OH PLEASE I know you had a good time but let me get in! But I doubt I will because I’ve had negatives so far, and I’m assuming the typical Princeton admit is someone who gets in to every place he/she applies to hands down. The only consolation I have is that Princeton is the only need-blind school for internationals that I applied too. Pray, pray.</p>