<p>I'm a researcher by nature and usually find answers on my own, but I do have a question that has pulled me out of lurkdom to ask. My son was contacted by a "much talked about here on cc school" asking for another interview (by phone this time). He interviewed with an alum for this school, so I can imagine they are fishing for additional information, but what? Would they be asking how serious he is about this school? EC details? Double-checking his social skills?</p>
<p>My son takes this as a decent sign that at least he hasn't been put into the rejection pile, yet. But now the pressure is on because he feels he has a last shot, but could blow it with an impersonal phone interview.</p>
<p>Any thoughts?</p>
<p>And to think we were all done on January 15.....</p>
<p>It is possible that the additional interview is intended to elicit certain specific information . . . but that would be unusual. Still, a second interview is unusual also, so who knows?</p>
<p>As a general rule, however, the purpose of the interview is to make sure that the kid who looks so great on paper isn’t a total jerk in real life. Y’know, the kid who spends his entire life working on his GPA, has no friends . . . well, you get the picture.</p>
<p>Just tell your kid to relax, not worry about it, and answer honestly whatever question they throw his way.</p>
<p>My son and I both got the impression that the alumni interview went very well. Gosh, I sure hope the interview report wasn’t lost. I had not thought of that.</p>
<p>Don’t let neato scare you with that “lost report” suggestion" . . . I think your son has the right idea: whatever it means, at least he’s not in the reject pile yet! And it gives him something to do while he’s waiting for M10. :)</p>
<p>Oh, I was just thinking of possibilities for another interview. With the thousands of pieces of paper that go through these offices, I thought it plausible. More than likely, it’s good thing and that’s what I would suggest to my child so that he would be as comfortable as possible during the phone interview. I’m sure he’ll be fine. :)</p>
<p>It’s 3 weeks and a bit from March 10th. Assuming there needs to be time for the letters to be prepared, I’d think they must be discussing kids now. It could be that the committee likes what they see on paper, but for some reason, the alumni interviewer’s report didn’t address an issue that has come up in the minds of people who’ve read his file. </p>
<p>Remember, some students are admitted on the strength of an alumni interview, so this is exceptional. I think it’s a good sign, and he should reread any material you have about that school. If he has a significant EC interest, he should try to remember the names of the coaches or teachers responsible for that field. </p>
<p>If it is his first choice school, there’s no harm in his stating it is.</p>
<p>Neato might be right - the interview might have been misplaced, or sometimes a family emergency prevents a report from being filed on time. Don’t worry about it - asking for a second interview is a good sign. If they weren’t interested, they wouldn’t bother. Trust me they are looking for reasons to weed the pile and not make extra work for themselves.</p>
<p>What are they looking for? Sense of the student’s personality, drive, passion, maturity, motivation. But don’t try to “practice” or “coach”. There is no right answer and interviewers are up to the elbows in students who were coached to say the right things and it shows. Just tell him to be himself.</p>
<p>My own sense of it is that there was a question left on the table from the first interview; maybe in regard to commitment to the school or boarding school, or maybe something else was amibiguous and they need clarification. You’ll have a better sense after the second interview, of course. If they wanted more info in a particular area, such as music or sports or writing, they would have asked for more information in that one area, I would imagine. Good Luck, and please close the loop and tell us what happened. RBGG</p>
<p>Agreed. We thought we were done when apps were sent in too. We’ve now had 2 personal contacts from one school, and more than that from another. We are getting used to this LOL. Interpret it as interest, not questioning. The schools are doing their best to get the most qualified applicants, and we have to respect that. Good luck - this is good news, go along with it.</p>
<p>I’m back to “close the loop” and let you all know how the situation turned out. </p>
<p>The interview date and time was set, then the AO left a phone message asking to reschedule. My son called several times over the next week hoping to talk with the AO, but he never received a return call. Finally, the AO called, only to ask a few questions which lasted merely 10 minutes. </p>
<p>Based on what my son said about their discussion, <em>I</em> get the impression that a decision on my son had already been reached (not a positive one, I feel), and the return call was more out of consideration to us. The questions asked were already answered in detail in my son’s file. My son felt that he presented himself the best he could and even made it known that this school is a top choice. We both know that what is meant to be will be. I guess the true loop closing won’t be until Marth 10th. I will post again then.</p>
<p>I started to think that I may have revealed too much on my original post and we were being penalized for discussing this info! Oh, the irrational thoughts I’m having! (But just in case [ha! ha!], if you’re reading dear AO, my son is an exceptional young man and he loves your school!)</p>
<p>Each of you who responded to this thread give so much thought and time into your posts on cc. It’s been an incredibly helpful and supportive resource for me, and I thank you…</p>
<p>Please don’t torture yourself, OofL. None of us have the slightest idea where your son applied, based on your info. There are thousands of kids applying to these schools, and none of the schools have any way of knowing how many times applicants get contacted in this process by other schools, but it happens often enough that no one can figure out who you are just because you were contacted. I also think the schools right now are <em>way</em> too busy reading apps to idle away time on CC.</p>
<p>I agree with the above post. Just want to add, their response is understandable considering how busy they are right now. Perception can be tricky, or misleading. So do not be disappointed…</p>
I think your son has the right idea: whatever it means, at least he’s not in the reject pile yet! And it gives him something to do while he’s waiting for M10. :)</p>