Alumni Interviews - Lack of Consistency and Quality

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m an interviewer for my college and have no illusions about my centrality to the process. I do it to give back to a place I love. I’ve no idea how much impact any of it has but I do take the responsibility seriously and try to be a good representative for my school. There are very specific guidelines to follow and they ask me to ‘recertify’ by keeping up on the interviewer materials. The school is a tough admit and I’ve yet to interview a kid who wasn’t a superb student and very impressive.

What concerns me most is the genuine interest in the school. Mine is rural and small. Is that a match? Or is the kid applying simply because of a high ranking and perceived value? Have they visited? Do they go on and on about some other school that’s their real love? I had one who was brilliant and really wanted an urban campus and didn’t even know where the school was exactly, so it was pretty clear it was a poor match. I’m brutally honest in my reports to the mothership.

I’m not sure how any interviewer would know if it has an impact. I don’t even see their applications so I don’t know their GPA or test scores or anything else unless they provide it (and some do).

Yeah, women's college alum here. It is EXTREMELY obvious if the girl being interviewed actually doesn't want to go to a women's college but is being coerced by a family member into applying. Seems like a good thing to share with the admissions office.

Why? if women's colleges dig all the applicants that are encouraged by their moms to attend but are hesitant because they are 17 year old girls, you are out a lot of smart girls. Have more patience.

But above post is a good example of the perils of the alumni interview.

Me again. There's a difference between 'hesitant or unsure' vs. announcing that you are only applying to this one as a safety in case you don't get into harvard or princeton, or focussing exclusively on what forms of transportation would be best to get you to the schools in the nearby big city that have boys, and how often do the buses or trains go, and how many days would you actually have to be on campus, etc. I've heard it all!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If a student received an email stating an alumnus will be in touch to set up an interview, can student decline? From the previous posts it sounds like an interview can only hurt, not help, their chances. My DC is socially awkward but a good conversationalist if the conditions are right.

I would use your best judgement. If some the posters on here are actual interviewers as they claim, I wold be concerned. Some of them seem to be arrogant dismissive people and I would hesitate to respect their judgment of a socially awkward teen. They may flag that DC as disastrous for being awkward.

I know plenty of socially awkward disasters that went to ivy league schools.

I don't think interviewers are worried about socially awkward teens.

There's socially awkward, and there's disturbed. The latter is what the schools are concerned about. Like the unabomber who'd gone to Harvard.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:FWIW We have a friend who interviews for a HYPMS. Not in this area. He takes it seriously and said he only writes positive things about the studen. Wouldn’t want to be responsible for impeding their chances.

That sounds as it should be. But there are clearly others out there with a different agenda if this thread is to be believed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m an interviewer for my college and have no illusions about my centrality to the process. I do it to give back to a place I love. I’ve no idea how much impact any of it has but I do take the responsibility seriously and try to be a good representative for my school. There are very specific guidelines to follow and they ask me to ‘recertify’ by keeping up on the interviewer materials. The school is a tough admit and I’ve yet to interview a kid who wasn’t a superb student and very impressive.

What concerns me most is the genuine interest in the school. Mine is rural and small. Is that a match? Or is the kid applying simply because of a high ranking and perceived value? Have they visited? Do they go on and on about some other school that’s their real love? I had one who was brilliant and really wanted an urban campus and didn’t even know where the school was exactly, so it was pretty clear it was a poor match. I’m brutally honest in my reports to the mothership.

I’m not sure how any interviewer would know if it has an impact. I don’t even see their applications so I don’t know their GPA or test scores or anything else unless they provide it (and some do).

Yeah, women's college alum here. It is EXTREMELY obvious if the girl being interviewed actually doesn't want to go to a women's college but is being coerced by a family member into applying. Seems like a good thing to share with the admissions office.

Why? if women's colleges dig all the applicants that are encouraged by their moms to attend but are hesitant because they are 17 year old girls, you are out a lot of smart girls. Have more patience.

But above post is a good example of the perils of the alumni interview.

Me again. There's a difference between 'hesitant or unsure' vs. announcing that you are only applying to this one as a safety in case you don't get into harvard or princeton, or focussing exclusively on what forms of transportation would be best to get you to the schools in the nearby big city that have boys, and how often do the buses or trains go, and how many days would you actually have to be on campus, etc. I've heard it all!

17 is 17. there are some brilliant motivated 17 year old girls that are also focused on getting a date. It is possible to multitask. But if you object to that as their interviewer, they arei n trouble.

[Anonymous]

Don't know why those interviewers take on the task to conduct the interviews when they know they are already pretty detached from the schools and know little about what nowadays students are up to. Frankly they often embarrass themselves during the interviews. They have near zero impact on the student admissions. And they know it.

I am not against schools offering interviews, but when they do they should give the interviewers some training and they then should really take into account their opinions out of the interviews on the students. Otherwise, it's just waste of time on all parties, and no one will take it seriously.

[Anonymous]

The parents attacking the interview process should really evaluate if the Ivy League is appropriate for their student. It seems they might be better off at a large state school where their kids won’t repeatedly be subject to peer, professor and club reviews. At my HPY school almost every activity, academic organization or club had a trail or interview by the organizations membership... Mostly “unqualified students” and sometimes faculty.... It’s very difficult to change tradition so be sure that you have your eyes wide open about the environment. As to Mr 3 years it is arrogant and shows a lack of curiosity of learning which is pretty much against the mission. Why not give the spot to someone who wants to absorb as much as possible and create something great. 3 years can go to trade school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don't know why those interviewers take on the task to conduct the interviews when they know they are already pretty detached from the schools and know little about what nowadays students are up to. Frankly they often embarrass themselves during the interviews. They have near zero impact on the student admissions. And they know it.

I am not against schools offering interviews, but when they do they should give the interviewers some training and they then should really take into account their opinions out of the interviews on the students. Otherwise, it's just waste of time on all parties, and no one will take it seriously.

There is annual training and a 40 page instruction booklet for my HPY. People interview to give back, to watch their interviewees graduate and to support the institution. People want to make a difference.

You obviously did not go to one of these schools. You seem very angry and incredibly naive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The parents attacking the interview process should really evaluate if the Ivy League is appropriate for their student. It seems they might be better off at a large state school where their kids won’t repeatedly be subject to peer, professor and club reviews. At my HPY school almost every activity, academic organization or club had a trail or interview by the organizations membership... Mostly “unqualified students” and sometimes faculty.... It’s very difficult to change tradition so be sure that you have your eyes wide open about the environment. As to Mr 3 years it is arrogant and shows a lack of curiosity of learning which is pretty much against the mission. Why not give the spot to someone who wants to absorb as much as possible and create something great. 3 years can go to trade school.

Be serious. For every Brett Kavanaugh conducting an interview there is a young Christine Blassy Ford being interviewed. The possibilities for a terrible interview mismatch rare not that remote. The ivy league is not some paragon of i virtue. It is difficult to change traditions including that crappy traditions. Get real.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The parents attacking the interview process should really evaluate if the Ivy League is appropriate for their student. It seems they might be better off at a large state school where their kids won’t repeatedly be subject to peer, professor and club reviews. At my HPY school almost every activity, academic organization or club had a trail or interview by the organizations membership... Mostly “unqualified students” and sometimes faculty.... It’s very difficult to change tradition so be sure that you have your eyes wide open about the environment. As to Mr 3 years it is arrogant and shows a lack of curiosity of learning which is pretty much against the mission. Why not give the spot to someone who wants to absorb as much as possible and create something great. 3 years can go to trade school.

Be serious. For every Brett Kavanaugh conducting an interview there is a young Christine Blassy Ford being interviewed. The possibilities for a terrible interview mismatch rare not that remote. The ivy league is not some paragon of i virtue. It is difficult to change traditions including that crappy traditions. Get real.

Being on the outlook for a congenital liar with a tendency to make up stories is certainly something a school might expect of their alum interviewers.

The top colleges don't care what you think. Next applicant, please.

[Anonymous]

The mixed quality is to be expected because
1) they are relying on volunteers
2) and the schools have mixed motives (one of which is to keep alumni engaged).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don't know why those interviewers take on the task to conduct the interviews when they know they are already pretty detached from the schools and know little about what nowadays students are up to. Frankly they often embarrass themselves during the interviews. They have near zero impact on the student admissions. And they know it.

I am not against schools offering interviews, but when they do they should give the interviewers some training and they then should really take into account their opinions out of the interviews on the students. Otherwise, it's just waste of time on all parties, and no one will take it seriously.

How many interviews have you been in the last 5 years?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The parents attacking the interview process should really evaluate if the Ivy League is appropriate for their student. It seems they might be better off at a large state school where their kids won’t repeatedly be subject to peer, professor and club reviews. At my HPY school almost every activity, academic organization or club had a trail or interview by the organizations membership... Mostly “unqualified students” and sometimes faculty.... It’s very difficult to change tradition so be sure that you have your eyes wide open about the environment. As to Mr 3 years it is arrogant and shows a lack of curiosity of learning which is pretty much against the mission. Why not give the spot to someone who wants to absorb as much as possible and create something great. 3 years can go to trade school.

Be serious. For every Brett Kavanaugh conducting an interview there is a young Christine Blassy Ford being interviewed. The possibilities for a terrible interview mismatch rare not that remote. The ivy league is not some paragon of i virtue. It is difficult to change traditions including that crappy traditions. Get real.

Your entitlement is showing. It’s their school and system. My kids had crappy and great interviewers but I never thought entitled to trash the whole system. Wow! Anyway you are suppose to do it in a public place with people around so that is not really an issue. (Library, Starbucks ... a place a kid would normally go). But really just tell your kid not to apply and you will have protected them from “unqualified” interviewers. At graduation you can laugh at the suckers going Ivy that interviewed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've been an HYP alumni interviewer for over 20 years. Most interviews dont make a huge difference, because they just echo the rest of the application.

The school continues to have interviews, though , because the interviewer can spot a kid who can't function, is arrogant, can't keep an appointment, or has PITA parents who try to interject themselves into the process. Admissions committees don't trust high schools to flag these sorts of kids for fear of lawsuits. Every admissions officer seems to have a horror story about a disastrous student who might have gotten in but for an interviewer who raised a concern.

Judgy much? How does functioning at a Starbucks tie in with functioning in an intellectual setting? Ever heard of an absent-minded professor?

Yes, admissions committees of selective colleges do make judgments. They have 20 applicants for each spot. They don't admit kids with low grades or kids who can't turn in their applications on time.

By the same token, they don't need to admit kids who can't make and keep an appointment, a skill that their professors will require. They don't admit kids whose parents call up and scream at the interviewer or who get friends who are graduates of the university to call and try to influence the interviewer. They do admit plenty of kids who are socially awkward.

These are private institutions who set their own admissions criteria. It's oddly ironic that there are objections to this from a Big 3 parent. The Big 3 use much more subjective admissions criteria, like whether Dad is a mover and shaker, and they interview the whole family.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Best not to participate.

I have interviewed for my HPY for about 28 years. The local admissions
Rep responsible for the area knows most of the long term Alumni
Interviewers. Admissions often calls with follow up questions and kids regularly get admitted.

I am not a recent grad but I am the parent of a recent grad so I am relatively up to date. I don’t think skipping an interview or opting out is an option. Those kids are automatic rejects, at least at my HPY. If the alumni interview seems off base admissions will follow up or offer another interview.

What qualifications do you possess to identify, evaluate and assess a 17/18 year old in approximately 30 min? Do you have a Psych degree or background in behavior assessment. Perhaps admissions strategies for assessing talent, ambition or potential.

Im going to be you have none of these and therefore are entirely unqualified to determine the fate of someone who spent years with teachers and a school that already provides a full picture.

This is an outdated practice and should go away. You arent qualified to assess these candidates.

Sorry your kid got dinged and you blame the interviewer for that.

DC is at one of the following: HYPMS. Good try. Its just a silly outdated practice. Alumni arent qualified to assess a high school senior. Tell me otherwise and what gives them this ability?

Like punctuation?

So then don't interview. No need to get all worked up over it.

Way to dodge the question. What gives you the qualifications to evaluate this talent. Nothing. Thank you. Mic Dropped. It's clear the argument is over.

Sorry. I should have indicated I am a DP.

Either go to the interview or not. It doesn’t make a huge impact one way or the other.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The parents attacking the interview process should really evaluate if the Ivy League is appropriate for their student. It seems they might be better off at a large state school where their kids won’t repeatedly be subject to peer, professor and club reviews. At my HPY school almost every activity, academic organization or club had a trail or interview by the organizations membership... Mostly “unqualified students” and sometimes faculty.... It’s very difficult to change tradition so be sure that you have your eyes wide open about the environment. As to Mr 3 years it is arrogant and shows a lack of curiosity of learning which is pretty much against the mission. Why not give the spot to someone who wants to absorb as much as possible and create something great. 3 years can go to trade school.

Be serious. For every Brett Kavanaugh conducting an interview there is a young Christine Blassy Ford being interviewed. The possibilities for a terrible interview mismatch rare not that remote. The ivy league is not some paragon of i virtue. It is difficult to change traditions including that crappy traditions. Get real.

Your entitlement is showing. It’s their school and system. My kids had crappy and great interviewers but I never thought entitled to trash the whole system. Wow! Anyway you are suppose to do it in a public place with people around so that is not really an issue. (Library, Starbucks ... a place a kid would normally go). But really just tell your kid not to apply and you will have protected them from “unqualified” interviewers. At graduation you can laugh at the suckers going Ivy that interviewed.

Yeah. Makes total sense. Let’s never question the establishment. That’s led to great things. Thank you Mr. Republican.