Anonymous
11/16/2025 23:03
Subject: HYP Interview - only 30 min
Anonymous wrote:it doesn't matter. it's a screening step for crazies. 99% of kids it doesn't matter
+1 I think 30-45 minutes is normal.
Anonymous
11/16/2025 22:37
Subject: HYP Interview - only 30 min
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:A couple of years ago…DC’s interview at H was 30 minutes. Was admitted and interview made a difference. Same at another HYPSM — admitted but interview does not really count for it. Meanwhile another kid I know had a 90 minute interview for H and was rejected. Good luck!
How do you know that the interview made a difference at Harvard (or did not at a different HYPSM)?
You can request to see your application file once you're on canvas.
Anonymous
11/16/2025 22:36
Subject: HYP Interview - only 30 min
Anonymous wrote:My DC just finished her HYP interview over zoom, slightly under 30min. Is that a bad sign?
Not necessarily but I would assume the chemistry wasn't great. Occasionally these interviews are like pulling teeth (simple answers, nothing to "chew" on), and you're just relieved when they end. Doesn't mean you dislike the student or would write a bad report though.
Anonymous
11/16/2025 22:26
Subject: HYP Interview - only 30 min
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Side question -- when a student writes a thank you note, do the interviewers ever respond back to acknowledge? Something as simple as "it was nice to meet you, and good luck."
Is this still a thing? What do you say in your Thank You note?
I'm an alumni interviewer. First of all, I am fairly sure that they almost always mean nothing except to screen for weirdos.
That being said, I expect a thank you e-mail. We set up the interview over the e-mail so they just have to reply - very easy. All I expect is "It was nice to meet you. I enjoyed discussing myself and your school. I remain very interested." Short and sweet is great. I usually hold off writing my review for 24 hours or so to see if I get a note or not. I would say I only get from about 50% which is truly sad. Especially for ED. I usually do not reply to the thank you - I probably should but I don't want to lead them on. Occasionally they will ask a question in the follow-up so I respond to that. Don't read into whether the interviewer responds to the thank you - it means nothing.
How petty. Seniors are in the thick of the process and this would be a simple thing to overlook. Emailing right after would look neurotic and waiting a day might mean it slips because THIS YEAR IS CRAZY.
I interview and honestly don’t expect any follow up — for them it’s so fraught
It’s common courtesy and standard practice to send a quick thank you after an interview of any kind. Literally two sentences via email.
This is not rocket science - it’s a tiny demonstration of basic courtesy. Just remind your kids to send the email later that day or the next morning. Nothing about that seems “desperate.” (Seriously, do you think that being polite is “desperate?” 🙄
It is the identical basic courtesy that the interviewer (likely you) is withholding by not responding. The interviewer should not provide input on post interview items.
Anonymous
11/16/2025 22:19
Subject: HYP Interview - only 30 min
30 mins is a good amount of time - there are zoom limits and interviews are often interviewers are volunteers. Send the thank you note! Always send a thank you note. This is good practice for school and job interviews.
Anonymous
11/16/2025 21:28
Subject: HYP Interview - only 30 min
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Side question -- when a student writes a thank you note, do the interviewers ever respond back to acknowledge? Something as simple as "it was nice to meet you, and good luck."
Is this still a thing? What do you say in your Thank You note?
I'm an alumni interviewer. First of all, I am fairly sure that they almost always mean nothing except to screen for weirdos.
That being said, I expect a thank you e-mail. We set up the interview over the e-mail so they just have to reply - very easy. All I expect is "It was nice to meet you. I enjoyed discussing myself and your school. I remain very interested." Short and sweet is great. I usually hold off writing my review for 24 hours or so to see if I get a note or not. I would say I only get from about 50% which is truly sad. Especially for ED. I usually do not reply to the thank you - I probably should but I don't want to lead them on. Occasionally they will ask a question in the follow-up so I respond to that. Don't read into whether the interviewer responds to the thank you - it means nothing.
How petty. Seniors are in the thick of the process and this would be a simple thing to overlook. Emailing right after would look neurotic and waiting a day might mean it slips because THIS YEAR IS CRAZY.
I interview and honestly don’t expect any follow up — for them it’s so fraught
There is nothing extra crazy about this year. Thank yous are expected after college interviews as they always have been. Our kids have it much easier since an email is acceptable in lieu of the written notes we had to send.
Anonymous
11/16/2025 21:13
Subject: HYP Interview - only 30 min
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Side question -- when a student writes a thank you note, do the interviewers ever respond back to acknowledge? Something as simple as "it was nice to meet you, and good luck."
Is this still a thing? What do you say in your Thank You note?
I'm an alumni interviewer. First of all, I am fairly sure that they almost always mean nothing except to screen for weirdos.
That being said, I expect a thank you e-mail. We set up the interview over the e-mail so they just have to reply - very easy. All I expect is "It was nice to meet you. I enjoyed discussing myself and your school. I remain very interested." Short and sweet is great. I usually hold off writing my review for 24 hours or so to see if I get a note or not. I would say I only get from about 50% which is truly sad. Especially for ED. I usually do not reply to the thank you - I probably should but I don't want to lead them on. Occasionally they will ask a question in the follow-up so I respond to that. Don't read into whether the interviewer responds to the thank you - it means nothing.
How petty. Seniors are in the thick of the process and this would be a simple thing to overlook. Emailing right after would look neurotic and waiting a day might mean it slips because THIS YEAR IS CRAZY.
I interview and honestly don’t expect any follow up — for them it’s so fraught
It’s common courtesy and standard practice to send a quick thank you after an interview of any kind. Literally two sentences via email.
This is not rocket science - it’s a tiny demonstration of basic courtesy. Just remind your kids to send the email later that day or the next morning. Nothing about that seems “desperate.” (Seriously, do you think that being polite is “desperate?” 🙄
Anonymous
11/16/2025 21:09
Subject: HYP Interview - only 30 min
Anonymous wrote:OP, are you not aware that Ivy League interviews mean nothing? there are thousands of threads on that subject here. they mean NOTHING. They exist to engage alumni to make them think they are a part of the "HYP" process so they give substantial bucks. Google it. The fact that you got 10 min, 30 min, 45 min. means nothing. My kid has five Ivy League interviews and was waitlisted at all, even as a (not big funder) legacy at two.
hello,
Do you mind sharing the SAT of your child? Getting waitlisted at 5 is impressive.
Anonymous
11/16/2025 20:49
Subject: HYP Interview - only 30 min
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Side question -- when a student writes a thank you note, do the interviewers ever respond back to acknowledge? Something as simple as "it was nice to meet you, and good luck."
Is this still a thing? What do you say in your Thank You note?
I'm an alumni interviewer. First of all, I am fairly sure that they almost always mean nothing except to screen for weirdos.
That being said, I expect a thank you e-mail. We set up the interview over the e-mail so they just have to reply - very easy. All I expect is "It was nice to meet you. I enjoyed discussing myself and your school. I remain very interested." Short and sweet is great. I usually hold off writing my review for 24 hours or so to see if I get a note or not. I would say I only get from about 50% which is truly sad. Especially for ED. I usually do not reply to the thank you - I probably should but I don't want to lead them on. Occasionally they will ask a question in the follow-up so I respond to that. Don't read into whether the interviewer responds to the thank you - it means nothing.
How petty. Seniors are in the thick of the process and this would be a simple thing to overlook. Emailing right after would look neurotic and waiting a day might mean it slips because THIS YEAR IS CRAZY.
I interview and honestly don’t expect any follow up — for them it’s so fraught
This. She “expects” a thank you where someone says it was nice to meet you, holds off writing the review to see if she gets it (meaning the thank you or lack thereof has an impact) and yet SHE doesn’t respond in a pleasant but neutral way (also nice to meet you. Good luck as you finish your senior year!)
Anonymous
11/16/2025 20:41
Subject: HYP Interview - only 30 min
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Side question -- when a student writes a thank you note, do the interviewers ever respond back to acknowledge? Something as simple as "it was nice to meet you, and good luck."
Is this still a thing? What do you say in your Thank You note?
I'm an alumni interviewer. First of all, I am fairly sure that they almost always mean nothing except to screen for weirdos.
That being said, I expect a thank you e-mail. We set up the interview over the e-mail so they just have to reply - very easy. All I expect is "It was nice to meet you. I enjoyed discussing myself and your school. I remain very interested." Short and sweet is great. I usually hold off writing my review for 24 hours or so to see if I get a note or not. I would say I only get from about 50% which is truly sad. Especially for ED. I usually do not reply to the thank you - I probably should but I don't want to lead them on. Occasionally they will ask a question in the follow-up so I respond to that. Don't read into whether the interviewer responds to the thank you - it means nothing.
How petty. Seniors are in the thick of the process and this would be a simple thing to overlook. Emailing right after would look neurotic and waiting a day might mean it slips because THIS YEAR IS CRAZY.
I interview and honestly don’t expect any follow up — for them it’s so fraught
Anonymous
11/16/2025 20:35
Subject: HYP Interview - only 30 min
OP, are you not aware that Ivy League interviews mean nothing? there are thousands of threads on that subject here. they mean NOTHING. They exist to engage alumni to make them think they are a part of the "HYP" process so they give substantial bucks. Google it. The fact that you got 10 min, 30 min, 45 min. means nothing. My kid has five Ivy League interviews and was waitlisted at all, even as a (not big funder) legacy at two.
Anonymous
11/16/2025 20:21
Subject: HYP Interview - only 30 min
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Side question -- when a student writes a thank you note, do the interviewers ever respond back to acknowledge? Something as simple as "it was nice to meet you, and good luck."
Is this still a thing? What do you say in your Thank You note?
I'm an alumni interviewer. First of all, I am fairly sure that they almost always mean nothing except to screen for weirdos.
That being said, I expect a thank you e-mail. We set up the interview over the e-mail so they just have to reply - very easy. All I expect is "It was nice to meet you. I enjoyed discussing myself and your school. I remain very interested." Short and sweet is great. I usually hold off writing my review for 24 hours or so to see if I get a note or not. I would say I only get from about 50% which is truly sad. Especially for ED. I usually do not reply to the thank you - I probably should but I don't want to lead them on. Occasionally they will ask a question in the follow-up so I respond to that. Don't read into whether the interviewer responds to the thank you - it means nothing.
Anonymous
11/16/2025 20:18
Subject: HYP Interview - only 30 min
If the interviewer only has regular zoom, it times out at about 40 min so wrapping at roughly 30 min is the goal for the interviewer. that said, tons and tons of really amazing applicants dont get into hyp. so dont get your hopes up. this is most applicants that you meet as an interviewer; if you are a nice person who wants to see kids succeed, it gets tiring
Anonymous
11/16/2025 20:03
Subject: HYP Interview - only 30 min
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:it doesn't matter. it's a screening step for crazies. 99% of kids it doesn't matter
Did Yale interview the crazy girl that faked being from North Dakota? How did they miss her crazy?
They did!
Anonymous
11/16/2025 20:01
Subject: HYP Interview - only 30 min
Why do people not just say the actual university name??