Ivy Alumni Interview

[Anonymous]

OP here and DD had her interview. She felt good about it and enjoyed the practice. Princeton’s a reach for her (and everyone) and she’s just glad she had the opportunity. It’s somewhat validating that after investing so much work on her application, at least the school cares enough to arrange an interview at all. I’m grateful for all the alumni who make the time to meet with these kids, knowing that 96% of them will be rejected. It’s a civility and respect I wish more schools shared.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Mine was WL RD at Princeton (had an interview). Accepted to another Ivy RD without an interview. Rejected from 4 Ivies with interviews (interviews he thought went really, really well).

Some schools interview everyone if you are in a metro area with available alum and it doesn't hold much weight.

Which ivy did they get accepted to RD without interview?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’ve interviewed dozens of kids for Princeton over the years. None have been accepted.

I interviewed for Princeton for several years . I did it because I enjoyed talking to the kids, and I actually learned a lot about the public school system through the process. But I think it's ultimately a waste of my time and the kids' time so I stopped doing it. Kids would ask me questions about Princeton, and now that I've been out for so many years, I have no idea what life at the school is like anymore.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m curious why people think these interviews don’t matter at all. Princeton’s CDS states the interview is “Considered” which is also the same category as legacy, first-gen, and geography.

From the school’s website:

DO I NEED TO HAVE AN INTERVIEW AS PART OF THE ADMISSION PROCESS?
We try to offer each applicant the opportunity to have a conversation with an alumnus/a volunteer. This is a chance for you to learn more about the Princeton experience and for us to learn more about you. Interviews take place after the Admission Office has received your application. You may choose on the application to opt out of the interview and this choice will not put you at any disadvantage in the admission process. If you do not opt out, you may receive an email inviting you to interview with a member of our Princeton Schools Committee in your area (if available). The alumni interviewer will contact you to arrange a convenient meeting time. Alumni interviews for the 2023-24 application cycle may be in person or virtual depending on the availability of the alumni. The Admission Office has no preference between these two options. We include the interviewer’s comments in our review of your application. Interviews aren't required as part of the admission process, but we encourage candidates to accept the invitation. Do not be concerned if interviews are not available; we will give your application full consideration without an interview. Given the timeline, we will not be able to offer an interview to students who are participating in the QuestBridge National College Match as well as the Transfer Admission Program.

Apparently they don’t penalize if someone opts out or no interviewer is available, but for those who interview, it seems to matter (even if only a little).

We, alumni interviewers (I'm Harvard), are telling you that based upon our real life experiences and shared views, that these interviews are designed to keep alums actively engaged so we will give more $$. Not one if the highly recommended kids I interviewed got in. Sure Princeton says "considered" but what does mean? Of course Princeton and the ONE other that has gone in record, Yale, say that! "Considered" means nothing. The AOs job today is marketing, to get your kid to apply so your kid can be rejected thereby lowering selectivity percentages.

[Anonymous]

I can tell Yale is taking it more seriously than ever because, for the first time in 20 years, I got real training this year.

I interview kids who get in most every year. I think that's for two reasons: I interview kids coming out of top tier private hs in nyc (who are hooked in sometimes more than one way) and because Yale doesn't interview kids when they "don't need additional information" about that file (ie, they're a deny)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I can tell Yale is taking it more seriously than ever because, for the first time in 20 years, I got real training this year.

I interview kids who get in most every year. I think that's for two reasons: I interview kids coming out of top tier private hs in nyc (who are hooked in sometimes more than one way) and because Yale doesn't interview kids when they "don't need additional information" about that file (ie, they're a deny)

Interesting on the new training! One question, a close friend is an interviewer and his explanation seemed to align with their podcast on the “need additional information”, he said it’s used when a kids application leaves some questions or if they claim an obscure interest they’ll check on gaming the system. My own was deferred without interview a couple years ago, denied in the end. Just curious if things have changed or you think my friend isn’t as up to date.

[Anonymous]

We'll never know. Your friend may be right. I always assume I'm interviewing kids who are a likely with a question mark ie they want to know if an in-person will present any red flags (ie, they dont know their supposed passion).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can tell Yale is taking it more seriously than ever because, for the first time in 20 years, I got real training this year.

I interview kids who get in most every year. I think that's for two reasons: I interview kids coming out of top tier private hs in nyc (who are hooked in sometimes more than one way) and because Yale doesn't interview kids when they "don't need additional information" about that file (ie, they're a deny)

Interesting on the new training! One question, a close friend is an interviewer and his explanation seemed to align with their podcast on the “need additional information”, he said it’s used when a kids application leaves some questions or if they claim an obscure interest they’ll check on gaming the system. My own was deferred without interview a couple years ago, denied in the end. Just curious if things have changed or you think my friend isn’t as up to date.

They say in the podcast that they are using interviews only for those applicants where they need additional information or have questions. I take that as could be either good or bad if don’t get one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^^ That's because PP
was roght. You are arguing just for the sake of arguing and you actualky don't know what you are talking about. I've interviewed for Harvard. Famous kids are NOT selected out to be interviewed by a special alum. It's by geographical designation. I covered McLeannand Great Falls and N. Arlington. And also these interviews mean zero to admissions. It's a move to keep alums engaged with the Ivy in the hopes the alums will give more money.

Is this a new policy? I know a kid admitted 3 years back that asked to see her admissions file. The alumni interview report was specifically indicated in the AO's notes as another positive data point for admission. It didn't pull someone from the brink of rejection...but it seemed to help on the margins.

DD saw her file from last year and the interviewer's report was mentioned in comments as supportive.

Is this for Harvard?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I can tell Yale is taking it more seriously than ever because, for the first time in 20 years, I got real training this year.

I interview kids who get in most every year. I think that's for two reasons: I interview kids coming out of top tier private hs in nyc (who are hooked in sometimes more than one way) and because Yale doesn't interview kids when they "don't need additional information" about that file (ie, they're a deny)

I interviewed for Yale last year. One SCEA and one RD. Neither got in

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can tell Yale is taking it more seriously than ever because, for the first time in 20 years, I got real training this year.

I interview kids who get in most every year. I think that's for two reasons: I interview kids coming out of top tier private hs in nyc (who are hooked in sometimes more than one way) and because Yale doesn't interview kids when they "don't need additional information" about that file (ie, they're a deny)

I interviewed for Yale last year. One SCEA and one RD. Neither got in

Did you think they would get in? Why or why not?

[Anonymous]

How many applicants are assigned up each interviewer? What are the kinds of things interviewers are supposed to comment on in their reviews? Are applicants rated on a scale?

[Anonymous]

How late do Yale interviews get scheduled for REA/SCEA?

[Anonymous]

DS applied RD for four Ivies and just got an email today for a Harvard interview. Based on this thread it seems it’s just a nice to do but not material to decision.

[Anonymous]

Has anyone else received an interview request for RD ivys? Looking for Princeton especially.