Alumni Interviews - Lack of Consistency and Quality

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How can someone over the age of 40 comment or be an ambassador to a school they attended over 20 years ago????

Who do you think they invite to the dinners with deans and senior administrators when they come to DC? Who is more likely to read the university magazine? How old do you think the alumni parents of current students are? Don't you think those of us who've stayed in touch with faculty for 20+ years might have some insight into what's happening in their fields?

We may not be able to tell you where to go party, but we can certainly be as positive and informative as a backwards walking campus tour guide. And maybe we know something about how college friends and networks play out over a career. We can also match our knowledge and interests with target schools/students. For example, I help fund a program for first-generation low-income students at my alma mater (because I was one) and I request to interview applicants from high schools with more low-income students. I find that I can predict and answer a lot of the concerns/issues that these applicants (and their parents) have or else direct them to get the right answers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How can someone over the age of 40 comment or be an ambassador to a school they attended over 20 years ago????

Who do you think they invite to the dinners with deans and senior administrators when they come to DC? Who is more likely to read the university magazine? How old do you think the alumni parents of current students are? Don't you think those of us who've stayed in touch with faculty for 20+ years might have some insight into what's happening in their fields?

We may not be able to tell you where to go party, but we can certainly be as positive and informative as a backwards walking campus tour guide. And maybe we know something about how college friends and networks play out over a career. We can also match our knowledge and interests with target schools/students. For example, I help fund a program for first-generation low-income students at my alma mater (because I was one) and I request to interview applicants from high schools with more low-income students. I find that I can predict and answer a lot of the concerns/issues that these applicants (and their parents) have or else direct them to get the right answers.

Whatever. Still a lot easier to connect and be less intimidated by a 25 year old then a 45 year old. Not apples to apples.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How can someone over the age of 40 comment or be an ambassador to a school they attended over 20 years ago????

Who do you think they invite to the dinners with deans and senior administrators when they come to DC? Who is more likely to read the university magazine? How old do you think the alumni parents of current students are? Don't you think those of us who've stayed in touch with faculty for 20+ years might have some insight into what's happening in their fields?

We may not be able to tell you where to go party, but we can certainly be as positive and informative as a backwards walking campus tour guide. And maybe we know something about how college friends and networks play out over a career. We can also match our knowledge and interests with target schools/students. For example, I help fund a program for first-generation low-income students at my alma mater (because I was one) and I request to interview applicants from high schools with more low-income students. I find that I can predict and answer a lot of the concerns/issues that these applicants (and their parents) have or else direct them to get the right answers.

Whatever. Still a lot easier to connect and be less intimidated by a 25 year old then a 45 year old. Not apples to apples.

Do you believe the objective of the interview process is (or should be) to "connect"?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They’re pointless. I quit doing them.

Ivy alum. Interviewed for 7 years circa age 26-33. Only one candidate got in and 1-2 more waitlisted. Everyone else rejected.

The interviews are boring. I got tired of hearing the same spiel over and over again. And I quickly figured out the only value of my feedback was when I clearly put down the kid was dull or if there was something off about him/her (I had one student who kept asking about how doable it was to graduate in three years instead of four).

For the parents complaining about the alum interviewers, keep in mind they have likely already interviewed many kids over the years and already know your kid has very little chance of being admitted. They probably also think it's a waste of time and do the interviews out of an obligation. And they also work! Sometimes things like traffic and deadlines at work get in the way of being on time.

You thought that was off? That seems ambitious, or thrifty, or the question or a kid who took a lot of advanced classes and genuinely wanted to get ahead. Did they ask repeatedly because they didn't get a clear answer or thought they weren't being heard? Or because they didn't understand the system like a legacy kid or non-first-gen kid would? That's a shame you marked them down for that, in any case. I'm a college professor and I would never think of that as a negative question.

The kid kept talking about wanting to graduate in three years because he wanted to join his family business as soon as possible. He was a well off kid. It was apparent he was more interested in the school for the prestige value of the degree, seeing it as a route to something else rather than an end goal in itself and certainly not the educational experience. When you talk about graduating in three years it means you are not valuing the experience and education of the four year diploma. The Ivies and other top colleges are experiences, not just degrees.

"The Ivies and other top colleges are experiences, not just degrees." Right, only top colleges offer 'experiences'. You sound like an elitist pr*ck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How can someone over the age of 40 comment or be an ambassador to a school they attended over 20 years ago????

Who do you think they invite to the dinners with deans and senior administrators when they come to DC? Who is more likely to read the university magazine? How old do you think the alumni parents of current students are? Don't you think those of us who've stayed in touch with faculty for 20+ years might have some insight into what's happening in their fields?

We may not be able to tell you where to go party, but we can certainly be as positive and informative as a backwards walking campus tour guide. And maybe we know something about how college friends and networks play out over a career. We can also match our knowledge and interests with target schools/students. For example, I help fund a program for first-generation low-income students at my alma mater (because I was one) and I request to interview applicants from high schools with more low-income students. I find that I can predict and answer a lot of the concerns/issues that these applicants (and their parents) have or else direct them to get the right answers.

Whatever. Still a lot easier to connect and be less intimidated by a 25 year old then a 45 year old. Not apples to apples.

Do you believe the objective of the interview process is (or should be) to "connect"?

Youre a pompous D. Look, if its evaluative, there should be an equal playing field. Period. If it's not evaluative, then why bother.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How can someone over the age of 40 comment or be an ambassador to a school they attended over 20 years ago????

Who do you think they invite to the dinners with deans and senior administrators when they come to DC? Who is more likely to read the university magazine? How old do you think the alumni parents of current students are? Don't you think those of us who've stayed in touch with faculty for 20+ years might have some insight into what's happening in their fields?

We may not be able to tell you where to go party, but we can certainly be as positive and informative as a backwards walking campus tour guide. And maybe we know something about how college friends and networks play out over a career. We can also match our knowledge and interests with target schools/students. For example, I help fund a program for first-generation low-income students at my alma mater (because I was one) and I request to interview applicants from high schools with more low-income students. I find that I can predict and answer a lot of the concerns/issues that these applicants (and their parents) have or else direct them to get the right answers.

Great. No problem. Then make sure ALL candidates are interviewed by 20+ year veterans of their school who are middle aged.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Going through the process for the second time.

Would say that doing an interview on campus is the best option if available. On the first go round DC#1 met mostly with alums 3-5 years out which was great. On this go-round with DC#2 the pool so far has been older, like 10 years out.

OP I know you are past it but Yale does offer the option to interview on campus. Actually it's probably one of the few Ivies that does I think.

Being interviewed by a current student (seniors in Yale's case) is actually pretty tough and I would guess that their opinion might hold more weight than a more distant alum. Maybe someone could chime in on that.

I interviewed on campus at a different Ivy with a junior admissions officer.

[Anonymous]

Sometimes you get lucky. My local interviewer for the Ivy I went to was actually a high school English teacher, so obviously connecting wasn't a problem, and she obviously had a lot of context for the info on my form.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Serious question: What is a Big 3?

Bosh, LeBron, Wade.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How can someone over the age of 40 comment or be an ambassador to a school they attended over 20 years ago????

Who do you think they invite to the dinners with deans and senior administrators when they come to DC? Who is more likely to read the university magazine? How old do you think the alumni parents of current students are? Don't you think those of us who've stayed in touch with faculty for 20+ years might have some insight into what's happening in their fields?

We may not be able to tell you where to go party, but we can certainly be as positive and informative as a backwards walking campus tour guide. And maybe we know something about how college friends and networks play out over a career. We can also match our knowledge and interests with target schools/students. For example, I help fund a program for first-generation low-income students at my alma mater (because I was one) and I request to interview applicants from high schools with more low-income students. I find that I can predict and answer a lot of the concerns/issues that these applicants (and their parents) have or else direct them to get the right answers.

Whatever. Still a lot easier to connect and be less intimidated by a 25 year old then a 45 year old. Not apples to apples.

Do you believe the objective of the interview process is (or should be) to "connect"?

Youre a pompous D. Look, if its evaluative, there should be an equal playing field. Period. If it's not evaluative, then why bother.

I am a "pompous D" for asking an honest question directly related to a comment?

Well, if that's the definition of a "pompous D" (whatever that is) I'll proudly be one. I'll also be "Tenacious D".

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How can someone over the age of 40 comment or be an ambassador to a school they attended over 20 years ago????

Who do you think they invite to the dinners with deans and senior administrators when they come to DC? Who is more likely to read the university magazine? How old do you think the alumni parents of current students are? Don't you think those of us who've stayed in touch with faculty for 20+ years might have some insight into what's happening in their fields?

We may not be able to tell you where to go party, but we can certainly be as positive and informative as a backwards walking campus tour guide. And maybe we know something about how college friends and networks play out over a career. We can also match our knowledge and interests with target schools/students. For example, I help fund a program for first-generation low-income students at my alma mater (because I was one) and I request to interview applicants from high schools with more low-income students. I find that I can predict and answer a lot of the concerns/issues that these applicants (and their parents) have or else direct them to get the right answers.

Whatever. Still a lot easier to connect and be less intimidated by a 25 year old then a 45 year old. Not apples to apples.

Do you believe the objective of the interview process is (or should be) to "connect"?

Youre a pompous D. Look, if its evaluative, there should be an equal playing field. Period. If it's not evaluative, then why bother.

I am a "pompous D" for asking an honest question directly related to a comment?

Well, if that's the definition of a "pompous D" (whatever that is) I'll proudly be one. I'll also be "Tenacious D".

I agree completely with you, Tenacious D. You should decline all interview opportunities. There's absolutely no benefit for you to interview. Not worth your time or an interviewer's.

[Anonymous]

Politely decline with a legitimate conflict or interview on campus. That is the best strategy.

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

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.

I rest my case. all these problem children best to avoid you like the plague.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Politely decline with a legitimate conflict or interview on campus. That is the best strategy.

I have posted elsewhere that I think they're pretty meaningless.. But on the form I fill out as an interviewer, I have to check a box that either says I wasn't able to get in touch with the interviewee, or that I offered an interview and the interviewee declined. There's no space for a reason, in the form that goes to admissions.