After going through many, similar interviews, I thought it would be a good idea to create an updated thread on college interviews.
The last one ended in 2015, and you can access it here: http://talk.qa.collegeconfidential.com/admissions-hindsight-lessons-learned/246098-the-thread-for-college-interviews-p1.html
I feel like a lot of the interview threads on CC are about what questions the interviewers ask, etc. But with alumni interviews, it is so variable, and I don’t think certain questions are the “right” way to prepare. Even with the same alumnus at my school, students had drastically different questions. So here’s my advice, and feel free to post yours too.
For reference, I did an interview for Penn, Princeton, Rice (on-campus), Cornell, Harvard, Duke, MIT, and Yale.
A. MEETING THEM: If you’re meeting in a public place (and you probably are), meeting at first will probably be awkward. And that’s okay. In some of the interviews, my interviewer and I sat next to each other waiting without even knowing it. My advice would be to (1) get there early, (2) send your alumnus/alumna an email letting them know you’re there and (3) consider letting them know something you’re wearing (My Yale interviewer told me she was wearing polka dots and it was so helpful!) If your interviewer beats you, you need to be the one to go up to them and ask if they’re so and so. Also get there early because there might not be empty tables! My Cornell interviewer and I literally just pulled two chairs up; I was 15 min and still couldn’t find a table, so it happens. Also understand that they might have majored in something completely different than you, but it doesn’t make them any less qualified to interview you. You also might not “click,” but that does not equal a bad interview.
B. FLEXIBILITY AND SCHEDULING: Try to keep your schedule as open as possible. Though, sometimes your schedules might not match up, and it’s not the end of the world. My Yale interviewer got switched because me and the first guy had literally NO time we could meet that matched up. Prioritize the interview over things like hanging out with your friends; you don’t want to frustruate them. Also, they probably WILL NOT follow up on your interview date. So, you better get a CALENDAR and write down the exact time, date, and location (and probably their name and the school). You don’t want to forget the interview!
C. REVIEW: Review your application. Recall what you wrote. What major did you apply for? What did you write about in your essays? You want to make sure you elaborate on your application. Don’t repeat your app, but let your interview be an opportunity to make things clearer and add information you didn’t already mention. Also, look at information about the school. Why does the school fit your interests? What are some things you would participate in if attending the school?
D. TELL ME ABOUT YOURSELF: Most of my interviews started with this question. It will usually segway into other things, but be prepared to answer it! What activities do you like? What’s your favorite subject? Think about the things that make you you, that make you unique, and use this question to mention your interesting traits.
E. QUESTIONS: Every interviewer asked me if I had any questions in the school. They might not know all the answers, and it’s okay. They’re interviewing you, but you’re also interviewing the school. What are the dorms like? How do the students interact? Why did THEY pick the school? Come prepared with questions, and it’s a great way to show interest in the school!
I hope someone finds this useful, because I REALLY wish I heard this a few months ago.