unexpected interview

<p>Hello,
I got a call today from a Cornell alumnus in my area. He didn't give a reason but said he wanted to meet with me in the coming days.
I didn't specify to have an interview on my application (applied to the College of Arts and Sciences), and I figured that they are now long over with. Is this a normal occurrence... or is there any way to know what this is about before the day I interview?</p>

<p>(And why is it that alumni interviews have ALWAYS taken place at Starbucks for me? Never my idea, either.)</p>

<p>there was a glitch in the computer system and late last week a good number of applicants were just referred to alumni for contacts...that is why you just heard.</p>

<p>Starbucks seems safe - recommend another place if you prefer...</p>

<p>oh, really? That seems strange.
Does that mean that the alumnus believes I requested one?</p>

<p>I though it was scary when I was in Vancouver and saw a Starbucks (sometimes two) on every street corner of nearly every block. And now, it seems, it has weaseled its way into the college admissions process as well. :)</p>

<p>Don't worry about the interview. They are really more informational sessions than formal interviews, not to say you should come dressed as a slob and using profanity. Try not to be nervous because it really is for you to express your interest in Cornell and for your interviewer to answer questions for you. I had mine for the ED round maybe only 2 weeks before December 19th when we found out. I think the interviewer writes a few notes about you, but nothing intense. </p>

<p>About getting an interview without asking for one, only a few schools require interviews, and Arts and Sciences isn't one of them. Applicants who get called are ones who have alumni in the area. If you don't live near any alumni, they most likely won't contact you (obviously not in your case), but you're not at a disadvantage by not having an interview.</p>

<p>Thanks for the advice. I'm not worried. Just curious.</p>

<p>@memphismom: How did you know of the glitch?</p>

<p>CathayChris asked: "@memphismom: How did you know of the glitch?"</p>

<p>Moms are in the business of knowing all. Believe it.</p>

<p>The admissions office sent a notice to alumni who participate in applicant meetings. They explained the glitch and extended the deadline for meeting reports.</p>

<p>how does one become an interviewer? sounds like it would be a fun thing to do in the next application cycle :-)</p>

<p>dewdrop - aren't you still an undergrad? to be an alum interviewer you have to be an - alum...but once you graduate - you go to the CAAAN website and sign up - ta-da!!</p>

<p>I'm graduating in may</p>

<p>congrats! then when you graduate and move, contact the alum group and then go on the CAAAN website and register to interview ...you will be an asset as such a new grad...plus it will be a way for you to make firends in your new community...</p>

<p>great...thanks! Is there a way that I could look up if there's an alum group in the area where I'm moving?? I'm moving to New Orleans in the fall....</p>

<p>There's an "Alumni" tab on the main Cornell web page. If you click through, you'll find a page with contact information for all the regional alumni associations.</p>

<p>Unfortunately, I didn't see an association in Louisiana. Maybe you could start one...</p>

<p>oy...and I was hoping Louisiana would be better than New York...haha</p>

<p>have we hickjacked this thread or what?? anyway, while there is not always an "official" Alumni group in an area, there may be a CAAAN - and there is in New Orleans...I was going to post the contact but decided that might not be appropriate on this site...go th CAAAN and click on Chair directories...go past the many thousands of chairs just in Nassau county etc until you get to New Orleans/S.LA... that contact may be able to help you locate a alum group if there is one that isn't quite an official group - and look forward to Zinck's night in mid-October - I am sure it will be great in New Orleans!!</p>

<p>haha....we did hijack the thread. Thank you very much for all the information....I'll get on it when I relocate...and I am looking forward to international Zinck's in NOLA..hehe</p>

<p>So I'm stealing the thread back from you guys.
Today was... interesting. The alumnus was a no-show, and he gave no phone number or email address.
Hmm... I knew Starbucks was a bad idea.</p>

<p>sorry - I always give my cell number and all my kids showed up and I now have had WAY TOO much starbucks skinny lattes and will probably be up all night posting on this site after washing all the windows both upstairs and downstairs and perhaps cleaning the bathroom grout with a toothbrush and I can't believe you kids don't appreciate what we do for you and furthermore..........</p>

<p>Good idea to check the CAAAN chairs page, memphismom! I hadn't realized that CAAAN groups could exist outside of local alumni associations.</p>

<p>cathaychris, sorry your alumni contact didn't show. That doesn't make a very good impression; I hope you'll forgive Cornell for having an irresponsible alumnus (or maybe he had a good reason). In any case, if you're still interested, you can contact the CAAAN chair in your area and ask for another meeting.</p>

<p>here is one thread</p>