<p>OMG, college interview in a week in a Starbucks. When you have a college interview in a public place that sells beverages/food, are you supposed to, like, buy something? Are you supposed to buy something for the interviewer? What do you guys usually buy when you do your interviews (if you've already done yours?)? No food, just drinks?</p>
<p>To avoid awkwardness, get there early --before the interviewer – and buy yourself a small drink. Then watch for the interviewer.</p>
<p>I suggest putting the lid on the drink when the interviewer comes. That way, you won’t be likely to accidentally spill the drink due to nervousness during the interview.</p>
<p>If you get to the coffee shop after the interviewer, out of courtesy, the interviewer probably will offer to buy you a drink. Just say, “No, thank-you,” and don’t bother buying anything for yourself. The interviewer probably will buy themselves a drink to, so to speak, pay the rent for using the coffee shop’s space.</p>
<p>My advice comes from having used coffee shops to interview students.</p>
<p>If you get there early, and figure out that the interviewer is there interviewing someone else, just buy yourself a drink and sit as far away from the interviewer as possible. Approach the interviewer when it’s time for your interviewer. If the interviewer ends the interview with the other student before it’s time for your interview, don’t rush up to the interviewer immediately. S/he may need to take notes or use the restroom. For all you know, s/he may have interviewed several students in a row.</p>
<p>listen to northstarmom.</p>
<p>hypothetically…if you came after the interviewer and wanted to drink something, could you just say, “Thanks for the offer, I’ll pay for myself.”</p>
<p>One of my friends was terribly shocked when her son returned from his Harvard interview. She asked him what he ordered and he said, “An orange soda and an ice cream cone”. Oh my god said my friend, what did the interviewer order? “An ice cream cone and a beer.” He was accepted. So don’t worry too much.</p>
<p>"if you came after the interviewer and wanted to drink something, could you just say, “Thanks for the offer, I’ll pay for myself.”</p>
<p>Don’t do that. It’s sort of rude. Some interviewers feel that since they’re older, they should be the ones paying…</p>
<p>I really suggest not eating and drinking if you can graciously avoid it. Eating and drinking will take up your limited time, and it would be easy due to nervousness to spill something.</p>
<p>Also, if you get there early and buy something, maybe try to avoid coffee breath.</p>
<p>
I asked my dad, and he told me when he interviews in a casual area he likes interviewees accepting his offer. </p>
<p>Buying something for someone (in this case the interviewer to you) is a great way to break the ice. Now he told me he didn’t mind, but it would be my guess when you accept his/her offer to buy you a drink you should ask just for a small biscuit/biscotti or the tall, regular coffee (no fraps).</p>
<p>“ow he told me he didn’t mind, but it would be my guess when you accept his/her offer to buy you a drink you should ask just for a small biscuit/biscotti or the tall, regular coffee (no fraps).”</p>
<p>Just get a small, cheap drink if you accept their offer. You’re not there for the food, but for the interview.</p>