Interviewer is asking for more information

[Anonymous]

Basically a resume plus grades, SAT scores, parents alma mater (why?), and siblings names and ages. The interviewer explicitly mentioned that she wants this because the school doesn't provide it.

My son doesn't really want to fill it out. Should he just bite the bullet? Refuse to do it? Pretend he can't get interviewed? He says he wants the interview to not be influenced by all that - and I agree with him, it shouldn't be a factor.

I interview for my school and we aren't given that information precisely because its not suppose to have an impact on the interview. But I'm a little worried she'll just assume the worst if we don't.

[Anonymous]

Who is the interviewer? An employee of the school or an alumni volunteer?

[Anonymous]

alumni volunteer

[Anonymous]

What school? This sounds very out of order. When I interview, I'm given none of it. My first question is the one-minute version of the student's interests and activities. Sometimes the conversation touches on the other issues, but the interviewer doesn't have to know that. I do realize that the student is now in a very difficult position, so I would send back a brief note with the outlines, and after the interview, if there is any sense it went badly, I would have the student (not you) write a note to the admissions office. They probably would like to know.

If you post the school, someone here may have the contact information of the alumni rep or admissions coordinator for that school.

[Anonymous]

Harvard

[Anonymous]

And good advice, thanks!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What school? This sounds very out of order. When I interview, I'm given none of it. My first question is the one-minute version of the student's interests and activities. Sometimes the conversation touches on the other issues, but the interviewer doesn't have to know that. I do realize that the student is now in a very difficult position, so I would send back a brief note with the outlines, and after the interview, if there is any sense it went badly, I would have the student (not you) write a note to the admissions office. They probably would like to know.

If you post the school, someone here may have the contact information of the alumni rep or admissions coordinator for that school.

Another strategy is to have you son reach out to the admissions coordinator before the interview.

I conduct alumni interviews and am not provided with this information, nor do I ask. (But it is shocking what students do share)

[Anonymous]

Those are completely not the protocols for a normal admissions interview. It seems a lot more like what a university VIP would ask for when requested to write a recommendation for an applicant. This could be an alumnus rep that is a title too full of himself. But, it might be worthwhile to check out the interviewer and make sure she isn't a current or former fellow of the corporation or overseer (Harvard's version of trustees). If so, the admissions office may be hesitant to second guess the opinion of the VIP and the interview and materials might be determinative.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Those are completely not the protocols for a normal admissions interview. It seems a lot more like what a university VIP would ask for when requested to write a recommendation for an applicant. This could be an alumnus rep that is a title too full of himself. But, it might be worthwhile to check out the interviewer and make sure she isn't a current or former fellow of the corporation or overseer (Harvard's version of trustees). If so, the admissions office may be hesitant to second guess the opinion of the VIP and the interview and materials might be determinative.

She graduated very recently, I seriously doubt she's a trustee. His interview for my alma mater was a trustee though - and he didn't ask for any additional information.

[Anonymous]

I would call the school college guidance counselor and ask for advice, perhaps he or she can contact HArvard admissions and ask about the situation. This is some kind of lone wolf thing, highly unusual. Obviously of the admissions office wanted her to know these things they would have provided the information. The admissions office should be told but not by your or your DS. See if your school counselor will make the call.

[Anonymous]

I would call the school college guidance counselor and ask for advice, perhaps he or she can contact HArvard admissions and ask about the situation. This is some kind of lone wolf thing, highly unusual. Obviously of the admissions office wanted her to know these things they would have provided the information. The admissions office should be told but not by your or your DS. See if your school counselor will make the call.

[Anonymous]

Yes, agree with others. As an alumni interviewer, we were clearly told that most of the questions you've listed are not to be asked.

[Anonymous]

Alumni interviewer for Dartmouth here - seems totally out of line and not at all what we're told to do.

It actually seems really obnoxious because that's creating a lot of extra work for your son. I echo the pp's suggestion to reach out to admission or the area coordinator.

My main concerns are that you don't want to decline the interview after initially accepting because they might write something snippy in the "did student interview - why or why not?" section. I also wouldn't want to have that interviewer at all because if he/she gets chastised I'd worry it would affect the write up. It really shouldn't, but also no one should be so douchey in their approach to interviewing either...

[Anonymous]

Alumni interviewer for a slac here.

We are specifically told not to ask for this.

[Anonymous]

Interviewer here for SLAC....we suggest candidate send a resume in advance but that's for purposes of advance prep for the actual interview...its a bit more efficient to know what to ask about activities etc. We do not (and are advised not to) discuss grades or test scores. The admissions folks can handle that part.