alumni interview at our house tonight

[Anonymous]

My daughter met someone at her work (a regular customer) that attended a college she is applying to. He also happens to have a relative that works at that college. He told her that her chances of getting in will be better if she has an Alumni interview (which he is willing to do for us). Her SAT scores are ok, but her GPA isn't that great.

Anyway, he is coming by the house tonight at 6:00, and I am wondering if I should do dinner for him? What can I expect during this interview?

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

I have to say this sounds a little odd to me. If the interview is an important part of the admissions process, it should be noted in the school's materials, and I would expect the interview to be set up by the admissions office or the local alumni club. But maybe this school does things more informally.

Anyway, I'd offer coffee or water or juice but not a meal. The interview should be about 30-45 minutes and focus on the student's strengths, weaknesses, experience, what she hopes to get out of attending the college, etc.

[Anonymous]

I am an alumni interviewer for my ivy-league alma mater. It is a low-key interview and really shouldn't be viewed as a must-have for getting into school. Keep in mind that there are kids all over the country that don't have alums living near them. While the interview can help if it is fabulous, the vast majority are average (within a pool of better-than-average kids).

As an interviewer, I would say the absolute most annoying thing that can happen is to have hovering parents. I usually try to meet the students at a neutral space like a coffee shop. If mom or dad insists on coming along, I ask them to sit elsewhere. By the time your daughter is applying to college, she needs to show that she is independent and can speak for herself. You can offer a snack or drink (though better if your daughter does it), introduce yourself and then make yourself scarce. I would not plan on dinner unless this is a person that she regularly socializes with (which would make him a rather biased interviewer).

The interviewer will probably have some open-ended questions like: tell me about your school, what's your favorite class?, what activities do you do?

I always like to hear about a student's passions - if they love English class, why? Is there a specific book that they read recently that they want to discuss further? If she is a budding scientist, what activities has she done and what results has she gotten? I'm impressed by kids that have done the same activity for 9 years - be it cello, ballet or basket-weaving, so if she has an activity like that, she should bring it up.

The interviewer will likely ask if she has questions for him. This is not a trick question, and "no" is a perfectly reasonable answer.

Good luck to her! The interview really is a way for the school to get just one more data point on her. Overall, her teacher references are WAY more important because those people really know her and her personality. So please don't stress.

[Anonymous]

I have conducted alumni interviews for my undergraduate university.

As PP stated, there is no need for a meal - something to drink is nice.

Another tip - since your daughter is familiar with this person, remind her that it is still an interview. When I interviewed high school seniors I did my best to make them feel comfortable. I may have made them feel too comfortable as I was shocked in what some of them felt was OK to share. (Example - I would have received tennis honors this year, but I got kicked off the team for fighting)

[Anonymous]

Agree with PPs. I've done alumni interviews and usually do them at my house or office. Make sure your daughter has a private place she can do the interview where you aren't listening in and making her nervous or distracted. I would not worry about SATs and GPAs for the interview. Alum interviews are usually about other factors. they are not in a position to opine on the appropriateness of grades and scores. Her focus should be on the things that don't necessarily come through on the application. I am always impressed by the kids who seem to show a real interest in the school and have questions that are specific to the school (not the generic "what ar the course requirements" or something like that).

[Anonymous]

I too used to interview local applicants. We used to meet a coffee shop or they sometimes came to my house. As the parent, please leave them alone. We don't want your presence influencing what your child says. I used to ask oh-so-original things like "why are you applying to X?", what do you like at school?", "what do you do after school?", and "have you worked on any neat projects this year?". Basically, I want them to talk to me. If they tell me about their love of raising pet snakes, then I want to hear about it. If they are head of their student environmental group, then I want to hear about the latest fundraiser/protest/speaker/recycling effort. If they have been working after school as a babysitter to help out at home, I want to hear about it. Its great to get a better sense of this young adult who would probably be a great asset to whatever school, but in a way that the essay and teacher recs probably can't fully flesh out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I may have made them feel too comfortable as I was shocked in what some of them felt was OK to share. (Example - I would have received tennis honors this year, but I got kicked off the team for fighting)

To build on this, I was going to say that your daughter should remember that this is an interview! A friend in h.s. probably ruined her (decent) chances at a school she loved by being too informal and confessional with her interviewer. I'm not saying she should brag or boast or be socially stiff, but she should remember that this is not a potential peer friend she is trying to impress. If the interviewer asks about her interests, she should talk about athletics/music/service clubs/active and purposeful activities, not watching tv. (That is, unless the interviewer says, what tv shows do you enjoy?)

[Anonymous]

Thank you so much for all your very helpful responses, which I plan to share with my daughter.

BTW - I also as a bit surprised that he wanted to conduct the interview at our house, rather than the local restaurant where my DD works (and where they met). I was afraid he wanted to interview us! We also have two small toddlers, so our house is rarely quiet. I am wondering if I should find childcare for the toddlers or take them out myself while he is here; or would it be better for both parents to be present?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thank you so much for all your very helpful responses, which I plan to share with my daughter.

BTW - I also as a bit surprised that he wanted to conduct the interview at our house, rather than the local restaurant where my DD works (and where they met). I was afraid he wanted to interview us! We also have two small toddlers, so our house is rarely quiet. I am wondering if I should find childcare for the toddlers or take them out myself while he is here; or would it be better for both parents to be present?

BTW - above question is from OP

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thank you so much for all your very helpful responses, which I plan to share with my daughter.

BTW - I also as a bit surprised that he wanted to conduct the interview at our house, rather than the local restaurant where my DD works (and where they met). I was afraid he wanted to interview us! We also have two small toddlers, so our house is rarely quiet. I am wondering if I should find childcare for the toddlers or take them out myself while he is here; or would it be better for both parents to be present?

BTW - above question is from OP

Definitely don't need both parents present. When I do interviews I sometimes don't even meet the parents, or it's just pleasantries at the door. I would, however, have one there just for your daughter's safety (since she didn't set this up through the school).

[Anonymous]

I would think ideally you should be there when he arrives to say hello, and then one parent take the young children out for a while until he leaves. As long as there is some parent in the house - I wouldn't want to leave my 17 yo DD with a strange man alone in the house, just because you never know.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have to say this sounds a little odd to me. If the interview is an important part of the admissions process, it should be noted in the school's materials, and I would expect the interview to be set up by the admissions office or the local alumni club. But maybe this school does things more informally.

Agree with this PP, this seems off to me. I have never heard of an "alumni interview" taking place at someone's home. My DH does alumni interviews for his ivy-league alma mater and they are all set up through the school or maybe it's the alumni association. This "customer" of your daughters offering to do an "interview" just sounds off. I would contact the school to confirm that this is how things are done. How much do you know about this relative stranger who is coming to your home?

Not trying to be alarmist, I've just never heard of things being done this way though clearly I don't know EVERY University's way of doing things. good luck to your daughter and please keep us posted about how things turn out.

[Anonymous]

Thank you for all your responses. He just called to postpone(: but I do hope he can make it over sometime. I really will like my daughter to go to this college.

Thanks everyone!

[Anonymous]

Your daughter should "google" the man and study his bio -- she'll feel more prepared that way. If he does reschedule -- I would take the little ones to another room -- make sure all tvs are off and there aren't a lot of distractions. I think you should serve refreshments -- appetizers and drinks -- no dinner. Dessert would be nice too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thank you for all your responses. He just called to postpone(: but I do hope he can make it over sometime. I really will like my daughter to go to this college.

Thanks everyone!

If you aren't sure he'll reschedule have her call the admissions office to request an alumni interview. There is a pretty small window to do these since they start reading the files about now.