The Alumni Interview: Calm Down
by Robert J.
A lot of people like to think that the college admission
interview is a lot like a job interview. Depending on the
school you’re looking at, that assumption can be quite
flawed. The college interview is not an end-all assessment
that will have an irreversible effect on your admittance.
In fact, it’s a rare case where an interview tips the
scales towards a yes or no decision. Think of it as supplemental;
all it’s going to do is help them get to know you better.
You have total control over what information comes out, so
make the information work to your advantage. There’s
no way a 20-minute conversation about your accomplishments
is going to hurt your chances, whether the interview goes
the way you expect or not.
But, this article isn’t about interviews in general.
It’s about a special case used by an increasing number
of the most selective schools: the alumni interview. Every
year, thousands of eager applicants flock to the homes, offices
and favorite lunch spots of nearby alumni to put their applications
into words. The alumni then fill out forms explaining just
how great the applicants are and ship them back to their respective
Alma Maters. Each applicant’s form is placed in their
admissions file, along with the dozens of other pages they’ve
accumulated. It holds about as much influence as it occupies
space.
So, why do universities even bother conducting these interviews?
They can’t lose. First, it keeps tens of thousands of
zealous applicants from swarming their offices with visits
and phone calls in hopes of a one-on-one with the dean of
admissions. More importantly, it serves as a way for alumni
to feel that they’re still a part of the University
community and that they’re actually shaping the dynamic
of up-and-coming classes. Did somebody say donations? An alumnus
who feels his Alma Mater is still a big piece of his life
is far more likely to think of them when it comes time for
that annual donation.
On top of these motivations for the University, the average
alumnus feels good about helping out students in his or her
community. The student, as mentioned, leaves satisfied that
someone involved in the admissions process has heard them
out.
But, don’t be fooled. If you’re offered an alumni
interview, don’t lose any sleep over it. Show up and
enjoy yourself. It’ll add a nice little perk to your
application package, but won’t tip the scales in either
direction.
Additional Documents:
Alumni Notes: The
Alumni Interview
This document has been modified to remove refrences to its
university of origin. It is the actual document sent to Alumni
before they conduct their annual interviews.
