<p>I hope my question is not silly. Please do not insult me if it is. </p>
<p>How do you schedule an interview whenever you apply? Does Vanderbilt request one or do you have to request an interview? This question also applies to other schools as well.</p>
<p>Two years ago when my daughter applied to Vanderbilt she had an interview with a local alum at a coffee shop near our home. As I recall, the interview was optional (not required by Vanderbilt) and my daughter had the choice of whom to talk to out of several alums listed on the Vanderbilt website; she chose the only female on the list. This was similar to what she did for 3 other schools (Princeton, Duke, Northwestern)–we did not interview on campus when we toured any of the schools. The only interview she did on a campus was at Wake Forest, where I believe it was required, which entailed a second trip to the campus. I really don’t know how valuable the alumni interview(s) are–my brother used to interview students interested in Princeton and he was of the opinion that the university didn’t put much weight on his recommendations. I suppose the interviews might be helpful if the prospective student had a lot of questions about the school/campus but some of the local alums are older and not that in touch with what is currently going on on campus (nor a good representation of the current student body). Good luck to you in your application process!</p>
<p>Not many Vandy grads in our section of VA. So our son asked to meet with a local government representative who went to Vandy in the 90s…initiated himself. Actually opened his mind up to Vandy more after meeting him. Then he asked for an official alum interview. Two names were eventually given to him of men employed an hour from here. He emailed one of them, and arranged to meet with him in a coffee shop up there. The interesting thing about this interview was that it completely changed our son’s mind about applying to Vanderbilt and made him more open to the possibility of attending. He and this man got on very well and had similar temperaments. Not all alum interviews go as well. I recall another friend whose Duke interview was conducted in a room with children playing about noisily, and he never felt the alum was focused on him.</p>
<p>My D did not interview.</p>
<p>when do we receive an email about requesting an interview? I sent in my supplement about a week ago, and I’m applying early so I should probably schedule it in the coming weeks.</p>