The little training I've received as a MT interviewer is not to do half the stuff mentioned in this thread.

MIT has moved to putting interview duties on young alumni, and I think it's because a) they're equipped to talk about life at MIT now, answer questions, etc and b) they bring less baggage to the interview (as seen here)

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Consult with your regional admissions officer or whoever assigned you the interview. If you have been flexible on times to make it fit in and they still are wishy washy, let the school handle it. If they are really interested they will do something like a phone interview or decide the file is complete enough without it.

However, this is what an admissions officer said to me several years ago when I was trying very hard to get one of my assigned interviews done with a candidate all over the place on timing, responsiveness, etc. and I had been extremely flexible on times/format/location etc. The problem was not something like “my parent just died/im competing in the Olympics in two weeks” but just random crap. “It’s fine, if the candidate doesn’t have the maturity to figure out how to get this done, they’re not a good fit for this school anyway.” That was the university talking, not the alum.

This is what I have meant in the past when I have pointed out that the interview may not get you in, but it can absolutely keep you out.

this didn't happen.

Heh. I think you wish it didn’t, but it did. No one wants your snookums in their elite school as much as they want to get in. The AO picked up the communication with the student and their school from there.

NP: one person does not make this decision. They can argue for or against an applicant. This didn’t happen as you claim. You should also not be doing interviews with your appalling outlook and biases.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Consult with your regional admissions officer or whoever assigned you the interview. If you have been flexible on times to make it fit in and they still are wishy washy, let the school handle it. If they are really interested they will do something like a phone interview or decide the file is complete enough without it.

However, this is what an admissions officer said to me several years ago when I was trying very hard to get one of my assigned interviews done with a candidate all over the place on timing, responsiveness, etc. and I had been extremely flexible on times/format/location etc. The problem was not something like “my parent just died/im competing in the Olympics in two weeks” but just random crap. “It’s fine, if the candidate doesn’t have the maturity to figure out how to get this done, they’re not a good fit for this school anyway.” That was the university talking, not the alum.

This is what I have meant in the past when I have pointed out that the interview may not get you in, but it can absolutely keep you out.

this didn't happen.

Heh. I think you wish it didn’t, but it did. No one wants your snookums in their elite school as much as they want to get in. The AO picked up the communication with the student and their school from there.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:simply because it doesn't fit their EC schedule

I'd write back and let them know you have all the information you need, no interview necessary!

Unless you work for the university, it’s not your call to say that. Consult with the AO or fill out your form with “unable to complete the interview” and describe the actions you took and let the school handle it.

Anonymous wrote:Consult with your regional admissions officer or whoever assigned you the interview. If you have been flexible on times to make it fit in and they still are wishy washy, let the school handle it. If they are really interested they will do something like a phone interview or decide the file is complete enough without it.

However, this is what an admissions officer said to me several years ago when I was trying very hard to get one of my assigned interviews done with a candidate all over the place on timing, responsiveness, etc. and I had been extremely flexible on times/format/location etc. The problem was not something like “my parent just died/im competing in the Olympics in two weeks” but just random crap. “It’s fine, if the candidate doesn’t have the maturity to figure out how to get this done, they’re not a good fit for this school anyway.” That was the university talking, not the alum.

This is what I have meant in the past when I have pointed out that the interview may not get you in, but it can absolutely keep you out.

this didn't happen.

Consult with your regional admissions officer or whoever assigned you the interview. If you have been flexible on times to make it fit in and they still are wishy washy, let the school handle it. If they are really interested they will do something like a phone interview or decide the file is complete enough without it.

However, this is what an admissions officer said to me several years ago when I was trying very hard to get one of my assigned interviews done with a candidate all over the place on timing, responsiveness, etc. and I had been extremely flexible on times/format/location etc. The problem was not something like “my parent just died/im competing in the Olympics in two weeks” but just random crap. “It’s fine, if the candidate doesn’t have the maturity to figure out how to get this done, they’re not a good fit for this school anyway.” That was the university talking, not the alum.

This is what I have meant in the past when I have pointed out that the interview may not get you in, but it can absolutely keep you out.

Anonymous wrote:It’s one thing if the kid delaying the interview has a genuine hardship (family/job responsibilities, transportation difficulties, medical issues). It’s another thing if they have parental support/resources and can’t skip 1 club meeting or 1 practice to be at a college interview- especially if they’re provided options/flexibility re: date/time.

and, as I was saying, a 16 or 17-year old is not going to just to lead with this information in an email to a stranger. nor should they. it's likely not to come up in most interviews either. so you can assume one thing about kid showing up late, or in crocs, or rescheduling and it's got little basis in reality.

honestly, this is why these alumni interviews are less and less important and should just go away. there's too little training and people bring a whole stack of biases to the table.

I strongly urge you to decline this interview. You clearly think the kid is electing to prioritize things you don’t think he should over the interview so much so that you’re canvassing the input of strangers versus asking the school that is purportedly asking for the report asap. You are no longer neutral towards the applicant and it is unfair of you to proceed as if you are.

It’s one thing if the kid delaying the interview has a genuine hardship (family/job responsibilities, transportation difficulties, medical issues). It’s another thing if they have parental support/resources and can’t skip 1 club meeting or 1 practice to be at a college interview- especially if they’re provided options/flexibility re: date/time.

Anonymous wrote:these interviews are meaningless. I wouldnt read much into it. I always give the kids the most generous read possible of every situation

Same. I'm a Princeton interviewer. I often sit down with kids and find their lives WAY more busy and stressful than my own (WOHM). Complicated families, meaningful income-producing jobs, etc. It's not always just volleyball practice, even if that's what they're leading with.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:simply because it doesn't fit their EC schedule

I'd write back and let them know you have all the information you need, no interview necessary!

This. Red flags all over this kid.

I had a Georgetown alum interview me at their house in my hometown several decades ago. In person, late evening. (My parent went with me). I was busy with extracurriculars but it was understood that the interview came first. Unless it’s conflicting with a state championship game/meet/event or something else at that level.


M

I had one student like this, and when I pushed a little to nail down a date/time, she said she actually didn't want to do an interview after all.
It's optional, right? So I would remind the student it is optional and then say it has to be within X time period to give you time to write your report, but if they don't want to do it, it's fine.

FWIW that student was waitlisted, and a lot of the excellent students I interviewed were rejected, so it didn't matter...

these interviews are meaningless. I wouldnt read much into it. I always give the kids the most generous read possible of every situation

Anonymous wrote:simply because it doesn't fit their EC schedule

I'd write back and let them know you have all the information you need, no interview necessary!