Admissions Interview?

DougBetsy · 10-13-2009, 12:04 PM

The website says interviews are recommended, but not required. So, how important are they?

Gasdoc · 10-14-2009, 10:05 PM

I encouraged our daughter to interview - admissions officer conveyed to my wife that he really liked her and she was admitted regular decision with a Marquis Scholarship.

LC82 · 10-15-2009, 01:04 PM

An interview one of the ways the applicant can 'show interest' in the school. For most, it may not be a 'make or break' decision; however, for one with borderline stats, I would recommend it. If you decide to schedule an interview, you may want to contact the Admission Office soon, before their schedule fills up.

The college recognizes that it is not possible for every applicant to interview on campus. There is also the option of requesting an interview with an Alumni Admission Representative (AAR) in your area. I don't believe that the feedback that the AAR provides to the Admission Office resulting from an AAR interview is heavily weighted; however, the 'showing interest' aspect may be more significant.

hudsonvalley51 · 10-15-2009, 04:57 PM

Our daughter interviewed on campus and came out of the interview with a clear understanding that she was quite likely to be admitted and a candidate for a merit scholarship (which she was awarded). I also suspect, although I can't prove, that the interview had a positive impact on the overall financial package, which was light on loans. Lafayette doesn't come right out and say that the on-campus interviews are evaluative rather than informative, but in our experience they were and I would recommend preparing for the former if you decide to interview during a campus visit.

nj_mom · 10-15-2009, 11:17 PM

Other than expanding on what is already in her resume, what kinds of things should my daughter be prepared to discuss in an interview at Lafayette?

LC82 · 10-16-2009, 02:34 PM

I agree that on-campus interviews are evaluative, but I believe that AAR (off campus) interviews are primarily informative. Although AARs do report back to the Admission Office their general impression of the applicant, I'm not sure how much that is taken into consideration.

DougBetsy · 10-16-2009, 02:45 PM

Hi, OP checking in.

I was able to find an off-campus interview in our area and Son will participate next week. It's not with an AAR; it's with an asst director of admissions. When scheduling, she said she'll spend 20 mins with Son, then 10 mins with me. I'll report back how it goes.

LC82 · 10-17-2009, 12:13 AM

^^^That sounds like it is the equivalent of an on-campus interview with the Admission Office staff. Good luck.

Lafalum84 · 10-17-2009, 03:35 PM

DB, that's the same thing my son did 3 years ago. It's the same as an on-campus interview; while the admissions staff is on the road they interview kids in the areas they're traveling to because they know it's hard for kids traveling from a distance to get back to campus for an interview.

The AAR (alumni) interviews, on the other hand, seemed to be primarily to give the student info. At least that was my impression when I did them for Laf a while ago. There is a feedback form the AAR fills out and sends to the school, but I didn't get the feeling they gave it much weight.

NJmom, I don't think they really throw any curveballs in the on-campus interviews, it's pretty much what you'd expect. Tell me about yourself and your interests, why are you interested in Laf, what do you want to major in & why, etc. They did ask my son where else he was applying.

NoVAMom · 10-18-2009, 12:38 PM

My son refused to interview on campus. We were never contacted for an alumni interview. He did say hello to the admissions rep at the local College Fair. Son was admitted with a Marquis Scholarship.

DougBetsy · 10-21-2009, 12:10 PM

Son had his interview last night. It seemed to go well, in spite of Son's state of mind. A few hours before the meeting he learned of a teammate's death (class of '09). Leukemia.

The admissions rep was very pleasant and casual. She and Son had the interview in one corner of the hotel lobby while we waited across the room, out of earshot. Son filled out a short form upon arrival and also shared a copy of his "resume." They talked about the stuff you'd expect: Why Laf? What do you want to study? What do you like about HS? etc. From I could see, they seemed to laugh a lot. Son told me later that's because he is so charming.

When it was time for us parents to join them, the rep went over what they discussed and asked if we had any questions. This is when I learned Son forgot to mention he's in the running for an ROTC scholarship. She seemed to like this. We talked about SAT (superscore) and teacher recs, and ED/RD.

Then it was over. Whole thing lasted 30 mins, as promised. It was very hassle-free. Even though it was only 7:15 when we got in the car, Son promptly fell asleep. Stress, or grief, or perhaps both.

exercise · 10-31-2009, 02:04 PM

Did anyone apply to either Lafayette, Bucknell or Leigh for engineering? If so, what made you pick that college?

Dad'o'2 · 11-02-2009, 08:01 AM

DD is planning to apply to Lafayette and Bucknell for engineering. Likes the "supportive" environment of engineering within a smaller school (LAC). Scratched Lehigh from list after viewing campus--too hilly.

nj_mom · 11-03-2009, 04:46 PM

Exercise - I would echo Dad'o'2. My daughter also is applying to Lafayette and Bucknell for engineering. Did not like all the hills and steep steps on the Lehigh campus. Although it was very pretty, we were envisioning what it would be like to walk around the campus in the rain or after a snow or ice storm. We figured she might bust her behind and the thought of it might be a deterrent to going to class. Good luck with your decision.

PaJay1962 · 11-03-2009, 08:53 PM

My daughter likes Lafayette and Bucknell a lot (she's also going to major in engineering). She is our oldest child, so the college application/interview stuff is new. My first question involves early decision. When you apply for early decision, do they tell you before you apply what the final cost would be if accepted? I'm concerned about getting locked into a college after being accepted for Early Decision, and find out later that the financial aid package was less than what we expected.

For regular admission, how long does it normally take to hear back from Lafayette, Bucknell and Wilkes to find out if they've been accepted? If she is accepted into multiple colleges, could we possibly expect them to "sweeten" their financial aid packages?

Thanks!