<p>I've done alumni interviews for a number of years and have noticed an upswing in the number of applicants who ignore our emails and phone calls when we try to set up the interviews. These kids have gone to a lot of trouble to apply to the school, and they've indicated that they want an interview.</p>
<p>I can understand that students are busy and that some may elect not to have the interview after all. But why don't they even respond? Is this a generational thing?</p>
<p>From some of the snarky comments I've seen by student posters on CC during previous February and March interview times, the reasons appear to be: </p>
<p>Students are applying to many colleges, so become burned out interviews;</p>
<p>Students also may have gotten some acceptances/likely letters by now, and consequently lose interest in colleges that are interviewing now or the students assume they'll be shoo-ins and there's no reason for interviews;</p>
<p>Students who have had several interviews from colleges that use interviews to entice the students to attend may erroneously assume that interviews never are used as factors in admissions;</p>
<p>Students in general are ruder and have more of a sense of entitlement than was true in the old days. They also may view themselves as doing the college a favor by applying.</p>
<p>Man, I have the opposite problem. My alumnus/a interviewer had so many requests they had to drop me :(</p>
<p>For me, my email is such a hassle, and consistently puts important emails in my bulk mail box. Thankfully, my Yale interviewer called me and told me that she had tried to email me (I found it in my bulk), so now, I check my bulk mail for any college stuff.</p>
<p>Technology is a pain... Maybe a lot of students have the same problems?</p>
<p>I interview for a top NESCAC school. If I have to chase down an applicant for an interview they had better be amazing once I reach them or have a great excuse.</p>
<p>laxtaxi, say there were two starbucks on one street, and you told someone to meet you at starbucks and they went to the wrong one (address was in the email). I thought there was only one starbucks on this street so I didn't pay attention to address but there were two and I went to the wrong one. We had to reschedule for the next day because I ran down there and didn't leave enough time for a thorough interview. If it wasn't an amazing interview, would you hate me? lol</p>
<p>( a girl with an interview after me from my school did the same thing so that makes it a bit better.. or maybe he just now assumes everyone from my school is a dolt)</p>
<p>Thanks for the replies.</p>
<p>Burned out on interviews? I believe it, but it doesn't explain not getting back to us.</p>
<p>Gotten acceptances? Maybe sometimes but I don't think that explains it.</p>
<p>Think the interview isn't important? Could be true, but of the kids I DO interview, it seems that most would do well at the school, but only a quarter of them get in. You'd think they'd prefer not to have the statement "did not respond to repeated emails or phone calls" in their file.</p>
<p>Emails get spam filtered? Certainly sometimes, that's why we call. BUT I've had plenty of occasions when I've called, and the mom says, "Oh, he's mentioned your emails."</p>
<p>Kids are ruder? I guess that's my main question. Or do they have a different definition of what constitutes rude?</p>
<p>They'd better be amazing? Hmm... I cut kids some slack. Applying to colleges is stressful enough without me adding to it.</p>
<p>I for one don't like emailing people. Call me strange or shy or what have you, but I get really nervous responding to an important email. Consequently, unless I feel somewhat at ease with the person I'm corresponding with, I can take up to 3 days to a week to get around to responding to the email.</p>
<p>This can't explain why some people ignore said emails all together, but that's why it always looks like I take forever to respond.</p>
<p>I have the same problem- does anyone have any ideas for a thank you email template?
I recently had an interview, and at the end I told her that I would email her if I had any questions- but I really don't have any so far.</p>
<p>What else do you say other than thanks for giving me the opportunity to meet you, and to find out how attending XYZ college has contributed to your success etc?</p>
<p>Wow! Maybe this IS generational--I hate telephoning, but I'd never think not to answer an email.</p>
<p>ctownes, that's all you need to do--say</p>
<p>"Thank you for the opportunity to meet with you. I especially liked hearing how attending XYZ college contributed to your success."</p>
<p>And that will be fine! Believe me, I interview a lot of kids from elite high schools, and very few write at all! Just a short note, and you'll stand out. BUT, swallow that fear-of-email, and do it quickly. Some of us write our interview reports right away.</p>
<p>It must be a generational thing, because I'm fine answering a telephone call. I call back as soon as I can.</p>
<p>Funny! I'd never thought about this sort of thing in a generational way before.</p>