<p>For my Columbia interview, everything went wrong from the begining. First, the alumni mistook the time of the meeting one hour early; so he waited. Then the first question he asked me was "do you instant messaging a lot" because when he read my email replies, he said I used "improper" and "coloquiel" language. However, when I check my email, I used formal and businesslike language. I'm not sure, but i think he had mistaken me for another student. Also, I checked the supposed time for the meeting and he was the one who wrote it down wrong. SO what can i do now?</p>
<p>Is there any way to ask for a different interviewer?</p>
<p>Man, that's horrible.</p>
<p>Nothing, really. The interview is over. It doesn't affect your application that much anyway. </p>
<p>You might want to write your interviewer a thank you note anyway, and apologize for the mixups, but that you appreciate his time. or something.</p>
<p>yep... just tell em that you appreciate his time and coming to interview you and also say that ur sorry for the mix up (even if it isnt ur fault)</p>
<p>Wow, you guys can have so much self-control.</p>
<p>I'd be like "**** YOU <strong><em>!!!!!!! You ruined my life because you're a dumb</em></strong><em>!!!!! Suck a *</em>!"</p>
<p>You should firstly send the interview a thank you note.</p>
<p>Second, I would contact the Columbia admission office immediately... I am not saying this because the interview will be weighed heavily, but because it is the responsibility of the university to use alumni interviewers who give prospective students a good feel for the university. Remember, the interview time is an opportunity for the university to make a good impression, and it is obviously from your post that the interviewer failed.</p>
<p>God damn. How can I write the interviewer a thank you note because he left me with no contact information except his email address. Plus, we did not discuss my academic ability. All we talked about were political issues.</p>
<p>You are thanking him for his time. Did you discuss the school at all? Then thank him for the information. Make it very general and generic. Write the letter as if you were going to mail it, and then e-mail it to him. Perhaps even as an attachment.</p>
<p>A polite e-mail may save the situation. You should express your regret at the mix-up because it inconvenienced your interviewer, not because you made the mistake about the time. Mention some of what you discussed, how it ties in to your academic interests, and how you hope to further those interests at the university.</p>
<p>This interview taught you a couple of things. First, if you have a common name, it is easy for older people to confuse you with someone else. The question about text messaging was your clue. It's all right to be a little assertive and make sure that your interviewer has his facts straight, if you do it in a nice way. "I don't usually use colloquial speech in my e-mails. I'm Jeff Student from Hardscience High School - maybe you know another student with a similar name?"</p>
<p>Second, if the interview is not going in the direction you want, take some initiative and try to turn it around. This takes a while to learn. One technique is to answer a question briefly, then segue into a topic you want to cover.</p>