<p>i will be having my interview with an alumni at her house this saturday. i was wondering what would probably be the best attire. i don't want to get over/under dressed. also, would it be bad to get there early? i wouldn't want to be an inconvenience because i was early and she wasn't ready yet.</p>
<p>Neat casual dress will be fine. Try to get there as close to the agreed time as possible. If there is some reson why you must arrive earlier (transportation arangements?) call her and see if the interview can be moved up a bit for that reason.</p>
<p>Hey, Byerly, just wondering. Are you an adcom? Did you get into Harvard?</p>
<p>Wow many people have already been contacted for their interivews. Should I be worried that I haven't received any calls yet?</p>
<p>Alumni interviewer</p>
<p>"also, would it be bad to get there early? i wouldn't want to be an inconvenience because i was early and she wasn't ready yet."</p>
<p>Yes, it would likely be an inconvenience. Don't call her and ask if you can come early. She probably is a very busy person and offered you the time that works best for her. </p>
<p>Do you best to arrive on the dot. This may mean doing a practice drive a few days early to make sure that you know the directions so won't arrive late. If you have to arrive early, walk around the block a few times or something.</p>
<p>Please do not be like the student who showed up 40 mins. early at my house on a Sat. morning and just missed coming when I was sweeping the front walk in my bathrobe.</p>
<p>After Harvard gets your app, it sends your info to the alum who heads your local interviewing committee. That person finds an interviewer fro you, which can take some time depending on how many people are on the committee and how many applicants they get.</p>
<p>Harvard also sends you info about when to contact Harvard if you're not contacted for an interview. I think that you are asked to contact Harvard if you don't hear from an interviewer by the first week of Dec.</p>
<p>This is the case for apps in the U.S., where most applicants are able to get alumni interviews. It's not the case abroad, where there may not be many alums who are willing to interview and who also are located within a reasonable distance.</p>
<p>I was just wondering, what exactly happens with these interviews. Do you get asked to do them after our application if you are in certain shortlist or does everyone who apply need to do them?</p>
<p>On the website it said that interviews will not be done. In a book I read from two years ago it said that interviews are required. What's up with that?</p>
<p>Ideally, every applicant is offered an alumni interview in the region where he or she lives. Generally, nearly all domestic applicants ARE interviewed. </p>
<p>Many international applicants are interviewed as well, if there is an alumni group in the area to perform this function.</p>
<p>The alumni Inteview Report is transmitted to Cambridge where it becomes an additional factor to be considered.</p>
<p>thanks Byerly. I suppose that its accepted to have your interview before submitting your application, or is that not an option?</p>
<p>All such alumni interviews take place AFTER the applications are submitted.</p>
<p>We are not talking about interviews initiated or requested by applicants while visiting on a college tour, etc. Such interviews are for information only, and ordinarily no report of them would be included in the applicant's file.</p>
<p>would a nice shirt and tie be overkill?</p>
<p>how should i prepare?</p>
<p>Tie not necessary.</p>
<p>Maybe khaki pants and a crimson (or magenta!) sweater.</p>
<p>Good call on the crimson! I haven't thought about that. Now would be a good time for me to purchase a shirt in that color.</p>
<p>Just kidding on the crimson sweater, but hey, any edge can help - even a subliminal one, eh?</p>
<p>I will have my interview Monday evening. Good luck everyone!</p>
<p>Sunday morning... good luck all!</p>