What does this email mean from Cornell? Does it have any possible bearing on the admission decision? Is it a chance to interview or is it just simply an informational session with alumni to answer questions without bearing for admissions? Thanks in advance for answering!
My name is xxxxx and I am a volunteer from Cornell University’s Alumni Admissions Ambassador Network (CAAAN) in xxxxxxx I understand that you recently applied to Cornell for entering Fall 2017.
You are cordially invited to an information and QA session this coming weekend on xxxxxxxx in xxxxxx. This session is meant to give all the applicants an opportunity to ask questions about Cornell and for us to learn a bit more about you!
We will start with a general QA session, followed by breakout sessions in the second half to chat on an individual basis.
This meeting is not mandatory, But please RSVP to this email by xxxxxxxx if you plan on attending.
We would like to limit the attendance to just the applicants. We will start promptly at 9AM and will likely adjourn shortly after noon-time.
@brantly or anyone is it sort of a “group interview” with like 2 alumni and 4 applicants per table for ex. or is it more similar in format to the one-on-ones like the Hotel mgmt or art major interviews?
Meeting up with CAAAN volunteers is more like an informal conversation than an interview.
However, they do write “contact reports” for any extraordinary circumstances that occurred in your life.
It won’t really affect your admissions chances at all unless you do something really stupid (i.e. punch a volunteer in the face).
@jfx246 and all Just wondering also how many people usually go to these events? And is it usually possible to solicit a single member to talk about questions/aspirations at Cornell to give a better sense of myself to the alumnus?
@mike8888 First of all, respond to the alum as soon as possible and offer to meet him or her at their earliest convenience. Don’t procrastinate and make a great first impression. Second, the meetings are one on one, so you won’t have a group setting like and information session. Like another poster said, this is simply a large alumni network who are tasked with reaching out to applicants to answer questions and get a sense of your desire to go to Cornell. The email is not a sign that you have a better shot than anyone though. Everyone gets the same email - assuming an alum is in their geographic vicinity. But many applicants don’t get the email and still get in. Others also blow off the meeting and still get in. Does it have influence on the decision? Not really. Once the meeting is complete, the alum has a report they file, but it’s only 250 words and usually just remarks on anything new that you weren’t able to put in your application - like a new award or honor for example. My alum said that half the time he actually writes “nothing new to report” and that’s it. They can write nice things about you too but they aren’t part of the selection process in the formal sense. But if you are rude or arrogant, I suppose they could write that in their summary and it might have influence. But overall, it’s just a friendly service they provide. I recommend you take your alum up on the offer and just be prepared with a list of questions - like ask about traditions, best places to eat, what a day in the life was like, what they liked best about going there, and other quirky stuff. Don’t ask about the weather. That’s stupid and has been asked 1 million times. :-). My alum was older (60s?) so they didn’t even have my major when he went there so he couldn’t answer specific college related questions, but he talked a lot about the friends he made and the traditions he enjoyed. Don’t be nervous. It’s like having a casual conversation with any adult. You’re not going to change the decision with this meeting.