Tips from a Duke Alumni Interviewer

Colleges and Universities A-Z Duke University
1

<p>Hello - I'm a Duke University Alumni and have been interviewing prospective undergraduate students on behalf of the admissions committee for the last several years. After seeing so many bright young students forget to do some basic things, I think it would be worthwhile to provide some useful tips for interviewees:</p>

<p>1) Respond back promptly to your interviewer: I'm always surprised at how long it takes most students to respond back to my email requests for interviews. Routinely I have to send 2 followup emails and with a followup phone call. The longer it takes you to reply back to my email, then I immediately wonder how strong your interest in Duke is.</p>

<p>2) Proper email etiquette: In emails responses back to me, don't use slang terms. Don't write an email back to me using text jargon. I expect to be written back to in full sentences with proper grammar and english spelling. Please use proper titles when writing back (never use first name, use "Mr" or "Mrs").</p>

<p>3) Be flexible with your dates: Alumni interviewers are busy professionals. We have other lives and try to juggle this interviewing between the other things in our lives. We do this on a volunteer basis and don't get paid. So be a little flexible on your dates/times for interviews.</p>

<p>4) As meaningful questions during the interview: Even if you're not interested in Duke, pretend like you are and don't ask mundane questions that you can get from the Duke website. Don't ask me how hard it is to get Duke basketball tickets.</p>

<p>5) Casual dress: Even though the interviews are stated to be informal, dress like you would for a job interview. For males a dress shirt and khakhis (with or without a tie) is appropriate. For women a dress blouse and slacks/skirt would be appropriate. No sneakers, no tattered jeans and no t-shirts.</p>

<p>6) Write a thank you note as followup. You'd be surprised as to how many students forget this small tip. In several years of interviewing, I've awarded the highest rating only twice, and both the students had sent me a polite thank you note afterwards. This personal touch reinforces to the interviewer your sincerity and goes a long way.</p>

<p>I'm not sure how much weight the admission committee places on alumni interviews, but several students that I've rated very highly (4 or higher) have all gotten in, while students that I rate lower (1 or 2) almost never do. The alumni interview is such a simple thing, and I'm surprised that so many students screw it up. we're not out to get you, we're only here to help you get in. Make it easier for me to help you. Best of luck to all of you!</p>

2

<p>Thank you for the interview tips. My son is waiting for his Duke interview and I will be sure to have him look at your suggestions.</p>

<p>I do have a question. How do the students get your home address to send a thank you note? When my son interviewed with another school everything was done by e-mail so he wouldn’t have an address. Or did you mean they sent an e-mail thank you? I should go back and read your entry again.</p>

3

<p>^ These are good reminders. </p>

<p>Even the most well mannered people can forget simple things. Though I will say that many at Duke aren’t usually this stuffy. I’ve seen plenty of professors who routinely ask to be addressed by their first names and dash off quick and informal emails to students. But in an interview situation, it is always best to assume the appropriate formality until given notice otherwise.</p>

4

<p>Centennialmom:</p>

<p>All of the Duke alumni interviewers are supposed to share their contact information with the students that they interview. I routinely hand my business card to all students, plus followup with an email. I always ask them to share my contact info with their parents and guidance counsellor. </p>

<p>Nowadays electronic communication is fine instead of a written thank-you letter. Although I’ve received both types of thank you notes in the past, the email would be better because I receive it quicker. I typically write up my interview evaluation that same night or the next day after I interview someone. So waiting for snail-mail to arrive may be too late for me, and hence email would be preferable.</p>

5

<p>@dukiechooz Thank you! Great information</p>

6

<p>I am also a Duke alumni and a volunteer interviewer. I agree with dukiechooz and would add in no particular order:</p>

<ol>
<li>Ask how the interviewer would like to be addressed and his contact information</li>
<li>Be enthusiastic</li>
<li>Read the Duke website…do your homework</li>
<li>Ask your parents to leave for the interview</li>
<li>Consider bringing your resume</li>
<li>Make eye contact</li>
<li>Review likely questions such as most recent book read, aspirations, failures, why Duke, heroes, summer plans etc.<br></li>
<li>email or write a thank you note right away</li>
</ol>

<p>This will put you in good standing for any interview. We want to be your advocate.</p>

7

<p>Thank you very much for clarifying. Again I really appreciate the tips!</p>

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<p>dukiechooz:
I submitted my supplement 12/10 but i still haven’t been contacted for an alumni interview. Is this normal or should I call the admissions office and ask about it?</p>

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<p>pineapple324: all of my interviews are due to be completed by Feb 15. Not everyone who submits an application by the deadline is granted an interview, although we try our hardest to interview everyone.</p>

<p>If you haven’t heard anything by now, I suggest you call the admissions office and find out. Sometimes the assignments just sit in alumni email boxes without being acted on. A little nudge from the admissions committee and/or regional director is all that is needed.</p>

<p>Don’t be too pushy though, when calling the admissions office reinforce your interest with Duke.</p>

10

<p>Here are some more tips that I consider when interviewing applicants:</p>

<p>7) Have a consistent message: If you’re interested in a science major then all of your favorite books and favorite things to do on your day off should be related to science. I get worried when students tell me they are interested in one type of major and then answer questions about favorite books and subjects completely differently. I always ask about what electives a student is taking. This should be consistent with the potential major the student is considering in college. If you’re interested in science as a major, then don’t tell me that you’re taking art history as your only elective in high school. This is a sign that someone is not being entirely honest with me.</p>

<p>8) Be honest: If your favorite thing to do on a day off is to lounge around and play video games - just say so. I get frustrated when I hear that students say they would much rather read poetry and classical books on a day off. Come on, don’t be afraid to tell me the truth. Keep me interested.</p>

<p>9) Don’t pretend to know everything: You’re only 17-18 years old and you’re not expected to know whatyour career goal is. If you still don’t know then don’t be afraid to say so. Just be prepared to tell me what subjects are your favorite and why you like them.</p>

<p>10) Don’t be afraid to use humor: some of the best interviews I’ve had are with young students with a great sense of humor. Try to make the conversation flow and don’t make me ask all the questions.</p>

<p>11) Look up your interviewer: One of the students that I gave a “5” rating to (the highest) had done his homework on me before the interview. I guess he probably looked me up on a search engine. He seemed to know how to strategically move the interview towards my favorite sports and my hobbies. This was quite impressive that the student was so well prepared. Google can be your friend.</p>

11

<p>I’m nervous, I had my interview last week and I did everything you stated - I even wrote my interviewer a thank you email (I don’t have her mailing address) a few hours after the interview, but she never responded.</p>

<p>Did I do something wrong, or is this just an overreaction?</p>

12

<p>not responding is normal, basically the interaction between you and the alum is over. There’s no need to continue with the exchange. It’s not like you guys have to become BFFs and continue exchanging cards and photos until one of you kicks the bucket. You met with her, you thanked her for her time, now she writes up an evaluation for Duke (that probably reflected your politeness), end of story. If you were ED and did an interview before Christmas then it would’ve been nice if you sent a card, but since the holidays are over, the thank you email is enough, just leave it at that.</p>

13

<p>griffonr: I wouldn’t worry too much if your interviewer didn’t respond back. Sometimes he or she might be busy. But we are told from the admissions committee to keep minimal contact with the students up until the time of the decisions.</p>

<p>We alumni interviewers do find out the admissions status of each person we interview, via the alumni admissions website. But we are not supposed to contact anyone unless they’ve been accepted. For students who have been deferred or rejected, we are told not to contact them.</p>

<p>Your interviewer has no idea what your decision will be at this point, so I suggest just sit back and let things fall as they may. Best of luck.</p>

14

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<p>Boy, I hope I wouldn’t get marked down in my interview because my interest in reading is different than my intended major. Reading books is a chance to escape the real world - for some that may be reading romantics, classics, horror, etc. This is a very subjective topic. I know some of the most brainiac guys with a major such as science as you mentioned for an example, and they love love love romantics or the most out of whack books to read. Why? Because it allows them to relax, take a break from the real world, and enjoy a totally unique part of their personality other than their love for science.
Oh…and um…someone’s off day should definitely NOT have to be related to their major. I pity anyone like this. There is a big difference between play and work. Makes me wonder, as an alum interviewer, are you looking for a well-rounded person or someone who loves to stimulate their mind 24/7 about their intended major?</p>

15

<p>To be honest, I disagree with #7. </p>

<p>On a recent alumni interview, I met a student who was highly interested in pre-med, and had spent considerable time working and volunteering in a hospital/had taken all of the suspect AP science classes and seemed very sure and prepared for the hard road ahead. She talked about being excited about the opportunity to research at Duke, some of her experiences in the hospital, her reasons for being attracted to the field, and had a lot of questions about what my pre-med friends had done during their UGrad years/what they’re up to now. I sensed a real genuine interest and a passion for the sciences. BUT she also talked about one of her english classes and her interest in reading. We shared a favorite author, and I could see this was something else she was passionate about as well. She told me one of her favorite things about Duke was that she would have the time and the opportunity (and be among a great deal of students) who major in English, Religion, etc etc or double major in a humanity and a science, and go on to be great doctors. I gave her one of the highest ratings, and this has, by far, been my favorite alumni interview because she was so interesting and engaging to talk to.</p>

<p>As a recent graduate myself, I have a BA in Art History with a minor in Chemistry, and am going on to get a Master of Accountancy in the fall. I attribute this partly to my indecisiveness, but also because Duke creates an environment where it’s incredibly easy to find multiple things you’re passionate about. I took an Art History class on a whim, and simply couldn’t stop. Of course, I also loved everything about my Chemistry courses and my Accounting courses. At the end of the day, I saw Art History as something which will be a very big and important hobby in my life, but not something I wanted as a career and chose to take the accounting path. </p>

<p>Of course, many students find that one academic passion, and devote their time to research in this area and that’s great…I always admired those students…, but there’s a lot of room to explore at Duke as well. </p>

<p>At the end of the day, either kind of student has the ability to impress me…I want to see what you do with the things you love and enjoy, and tend to find something incredibly interesting about that student which is a science maniac/closet American Lit maniac. I’ve been there…I know what it’s like:)</p>

16

<p>I just got a call from my interviewer and she said she would me me at my house! Does that mean I should dress more casually than I would in a normal interview? The interview is scheduled only 40 minutes after I get out of school (she scheduled it that way for my convenience apparently), so she knows that I’m coming to the interview right from school. Should I just do the interview in my regular school clothes or should I rush home and switch into khakis and a polo?</p>

17

<p>Tip #7 is inconsistent with #8 and #9.</p>

<p>“If you’re interested in a science major then all of your favorite books and favorite things to do on your day off should be related to science.”</p>

<p>I hope that the kids on this forum DO NOT follow this advice!</p>

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<p>Arzachel- could you not just wear khakis and a polo to school that day?</p>

19

<p>I could do that. Has anyone had any experience with these at-home interviews before? Should I go out of my way to keep my family from interrupting or do you think the person will want to at least greet them?</p>

20

<p>I think it is reasonable for a parent to say hello…it is their house and it is only natural if a parent is at home. Then the family should make itself scarce.</p>