What to Do if an Interview Goes Awry

Students often ask what they can do if their alumni interview was horrible. How could an interview be horrible? Every once in a while, alumni interviewers (who often have zero training in how to interview) use their interview to reminisce about the “good old days” when they were college students and don’t give you a chance to talk about yourself at all. Though sometimes other problems occur, this is the most prevalent problem we’ve heard from students regarding alumni who felt the need to monopolize the time during an interview. They might even show how smart they are by grilling you unfairly or asking oddball questions.

Unfortunately, alumni interviewers are given as much weight as on-campus interviews at most colleges, but the alumni interviewers undergo very little training in how to interview kids. It seems that the colleges let alumni do interviews to better alumni relations and help them feel a part of the college community.

As a student, what can you do? If you experience a negative interview or one in which you did not feel that you were given a chance to express yourself, follow up with the admissions office. Chances are, they are already aware of any interviewers who have been off-base in the past or who have had other complaints. By writing a brief note and/or calling to explain, you will at least make sure the interview is not used against you and the admissions office will probably bend over backwards to read your file carefully so there’s no way for you to think the interview had any kind of negative effect.

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