Georgetown interview: what to expect?

[Anonymous]

My daughter just had hers and she said it was very straightforward.
She wore nice jeans and a new sweater
Just tell her to hold a conversation and not say anything awkward or weird and it will be fine

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I interview for a different but highly competitive school. I had a kid who was incredibly nervous but he was so clearly kind, sincere, and authentic. I wrote him a fabulous review and he was accepted (not suggesting causation there though). I’ll take the nervous kid over the arrogant one any day.

I love this. That’s really wonderful to hear

[Anonymous]

I am a long-time alum interviewer for Georgetown. Please tell them not to stress. Although I am sure each interviewer is different, I always ask basic questions, such as tell me about yourself, favorite classes at school and why, why Georgetown. I always offer to get something for the student, but usually they either get nothing or buy their own drink, usually water. I always get something so we can keep the table.

[Anonymous]

If your kid is shy or gets nervous, have them draft two or three questions that they can ask the interviewer. I have shy kids, and they tend to clam up in situations like this. Maybe something like, "What was your favorite class at Georgetown?" or "What activities did you do while you were on campus?"

[Anonymous]

Has anybody else not yet been contacted about their interview? My DD submitted the initial application around September 20 and hasn’t heard anything. When my son applied he had heard and had his interview by now. We’re getting a little worried and not sure what to do.

[Anonymous]

I am a Georgetown alum/interviewer (on the younger side), and just wanted to reiterate that it's meant to be a low-pressure situation. I don't think it really counts for much, admissions-wise (as it shouldn't) - it's just a way to get some additional information about the applicant that might not come through on paper. I don't know how others do it, but I try to be conversational and have a friendly conversation about what the applicant's academic and extracurricular interests are, why they're applying to Georgetown, and if there's any particular aspect of the school that interests them.

I always write a nice report and wouldn't consider doing otherwise except in extenuating circumstances, such as if the applicant said something really offensive (this has never happened). If I really think the applicant is great, I will note that, but I don't think that carries much weight - interviewers are notified of the final admissions decision, and a couple of applicants for whom I wrote glowing reviews were not ultimately admitted. With respect to paying for coffee or a snack, I always expect and offer to pay for us both. Generally, I have found that the applicant arrives a little earlier than I do and has already ordered/paid for theirs, but I offer and certainly wouldn't judge anyone for taking me up on it. And there's no need to dress up beyond a clean, appropriate outfit. Jeans are completely fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DD is stressing about her upcoming interview with an alumna. It will be at a coffee shop. She doesn't want to order anything, because it will distract her. She's also wondering what to wear. She's worried she won't have anything to say, or that she'll mumble.

Any tips to calm her down?

Not specific to Georgetown: Almost all alumni interviews are for informational purposes. Your daughter should relax and ask lots of questions about Georgetown.

Not ordering anything might be viewed as a bit impolite as it might make the alum uncomfortable and the coffee shop needs to generate revenue.

THis. There are many threads on this topic. DS went to four or five Ivy ones - didn't get into a single Ivy. . Most alums who do this will tell you that Admissions ignores their comments. It's a practice designed to keep alums tied to the school and give more money. That is all it is. So tell her to relax

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My husband conducted interviews for Georgetown last year (he did them over zoom). He was SFS late 90s.

They provided him with nothing in terms of suggested questions.

The interviews he enjoyed most were the ones that flowed easily. Where the students clearly took the time to learn about the program and prepared questions to allow DH to share the best parts of a Georgetown education. He was surprised by how many interviewees were unfamiliar with the course catalog and couldn’t mention specific courses of interest by name.

The office at Georgetown that organizes the Alumni Interviewing program holds a zoom for interviewers every fall at which they discuss questions as well as protocol/procedures. They also send out emails multiple times a year with suggested questions. Tell your husband to check his spam folder.

+1 on this. Exactly. GU is much more prepared than my DH's non-GU alma mater. Not sure how PP's DH could have missed all the stuff they send.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No impact on admissions.

Georgetown has a hard time attracting top local students. Run down facilities, boring campus life, reputation for uptight slightly awkward undergrads, mean it isn't a top choice. Plenty of legacy admits who's parents help get the more average kids in, but interviews are pretty much meaningless.

Tell me your kid did not get into GU without telling me....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My husband conducted interviews for Georgetown last year (he did them over zoom). He was SFS late 90s.

They provided him with nothing in terms of suggested questions.

The interviews he enjoyed most were the ones that flowed easily. Where the students clearly took the time to learn about the program and prepared questions to allow DH to share the best parts of a Georgetown education. He was surprised by how many interviewees were unfamiliar with the course catalog and couldn’t mention specific courses of interest by name.

I'm a reviewer, too. Mine were either super focused on specific programs, majors, and clubs or they were "it's so beautiful, I love DC". Weird. It's not like GU is some huge school known for every subject. Especially non-medical STEM.