Blech. I went to an Ivy and wouldn't interview for them ever. Hated the school, despite the fact that nearly every parent on this board wants their kid to apply.

I have not donated money to my school, which may explain why I have not been asked, giving further support to the theory that these alumni interviews are just a way to support alums (make them feel part of the school) and keep opening their wallets.

I don't even see how an alumni interview can give a prospective student much current information about the school, especially if the alum has been out a number of years. But they are good practice, and maybe your child will meet some interesting people and have interesting conversations.

But alums are deluding themselves if they think the purpose of their interviews is to help the school to anything other than the contents of their bank accounts.

Anonymous wrote:I still think it's a way for the schools to make alums think they are connected to the school in some way, a chance to wax on about their glory days. And all of them that I know who do it just love being able to say "I interview for XX," like it's some sort of big honor.

As we all know, happy alums are donating alums. Chums.

Oh, please. I do it because I want to give something back to my university. I don't think anyone who knows me knows that I do it, other than my husband. I go out of my way to schedule these things around my life, even doing overseas ones by Skype sometimes. I don't donate much if anything, so this is a non-monetary way for me to contribute.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I still think it's a way for the schools to make alums think they are connected to the school in some way, a chance to wax on about their glory days. And all of them that I know who do it just love being able to say "I interview for XX," like it's some sort of big honor.

As we all know, happy alums are donating alums. Chums.

This is so strange. I can't imagine in what context it would come up that I interview for my undergrad. Plus, they will take any warm body of an alum they can get to complete all the interviews.

People pipe up on these boards all the time about how they "interview for their Ivy" as if they are in the inner circle of the admissions office. I bet it comes up in conversation all the time...

Anonymous wrote:I still think it's a way for the schools to make alums think they are connected to the school in some way, a chance to wax on about their glory days. And all of them that I know who do it just love being able to say "I interview for XX," like it's some sort of big honor.

As we all know, happy alums are donating alums. Chums.

This is so strange. I can't imagine in what context it would come up that I interview for my undergrad. Plus, they will take any warm body of an alum they can get to complete all the interviews.

I still think it's a way for the schools to make alums think they are connected to the school in some way, a chance to wax on about their glory days. And all of them that I know who do it just love being able to say "I interview for XX," like it's some sort of big honor.

As we all know, happy alums are donating alums. Chums.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am an alumni interviewer and agree with PPs that alumni interviews are not likely to make or break admissions unless you give a really unfavorable evaluation of someone. That being said, I don't think it looks good to not request an interview. Colleges want to see motivated students.

So if a Harvard or Yale alum contacts you for an interview, it's pretty much meaningless as far as admission prospects goes. Just more informational than anything else?

My DC has done a few alumni interviews this admission season. They have gone very well but he is realistic about any impact on admissions. That being said, the experience has actually been a very good one. It's not a bad skill for a high school student to arrange for, do an interview, and follow up on it. My DCs interviewers have ranged from a recent grad to someone 20 years out. He ended up spending 1.5 hours talking with the 20 years out interviewer.

When we were thinking about boarding school, DC had three interviews at top schools. By the time the third interview rolled around, DC felt much more at ease. The first two interviews more or less practice sessions. Ironically, DC was accepted at the third school but we declined and stayed local. Overall, the interviewing was a good experience and possibly a good initial prep for college interviewing next year. DC said they were pretty tough, on the spot thinking, interviews.