Princeton interview

obsessed mom · 02-11-2008, 01:09 PM

How important is the interview? How much weight is it given? My kid came home very down saying he just didn't connect well with the guy and that he was very nervous. He otherwise has marvelous stats, grades, extracurriculars, recommendation and essays.

boho_girl · 02-11-2008, 03:50 PM

From what I've gathered, Princeton interviews are more informational than evaluative, and nobody is really sure of how much weight exactly they carry, but everyone agrees that it is very little.
My interviewer stressed that it was informational, and it's more like they're trying to sell the school to you

You can read how other interviews were held in Princeton INterview

lorie2690 · 02-12-2008, 09:21 AM

Not true! The interview, I was told by a Princeton interviewer is extremely importanat and plays a really important role. The same way that a teacher that assisted Princeton and gives you a letter a recommendation can help. It plays a really imporatant role!

misralz · 02-12-2008, 10:02 AM

The interview does not play that important of a role. Some interviewers like to exaggerate their own importance. The interview's main purpose is for the admissions people to find out more information about the applicant. As long as your son was polite and did nothing bad that stands out(like attack the interviewer) then he should be fine.

arwen15 · 02-12-2008, 12:11 PM

Obsessed mom do not worry.

It would be highly unlikely that Pton would have recruited the likes
of my interviewer for genuine feedback that impacts admittance
-good or bad feedback.

I came away from my interview thinking US News must be on drugs to
rate Pton #1 with people like the one I met as graduates.

Though individuals should not be used as a basis to form opinions of
institutions they represent,it happens everyday.

carmenhere · 02-12-2008, 08:10 PM

My son had his Princeton interview on monday. said the man was very pleasant, perfunctory questions. it didnt seem like it was evaluative, but rather informative

whitelulu · 02-12-2008, 10:51 PM

Your screen name worries me, obessedmom.

Your son will be fine, don't worry.

lorie2690 · 02-13-2008, 10:24 AM

I think that the interview is important, She and a Columbia interviwere told me. But yes, if your son didnt do something out of bpounds, then I guess he will be fine.

boho_girl · 02-13-2008, 03:46 PM

Here's from Princetonreview's "Princeton Admissions Factors":

Quote:

Originally Posted by Princetonreview

Here's how Princeton University ranks the relative importance of various factors in admissions decisions:

Academic Criteria-----------Importance

Secondary school record-------Very Important
Class rank---------------------Very Important
Recommendations-----------Very Important
Standardized test scores----Very Important
Essays---------------------Very Important

Non-Academic Criteria-----------Importance

Interview----------------------Considered
Extracurricular activities-----------Very Important
Talent / ability--------------------Very Important
Character / personal qualities------Very Important
Alumni/ae relation-----------------Considered
Geographical residence------------Considered
State residency-------------------Not Considered
Religious affiliation/commitment-----Not Considered
Minority status--------------------Considered
Volunteer work--------------------Important
Work experience-------------------Important

http://www.princetonreview.com/colle...intbu cketid=

RhapsodyinPink · 03-06-2008, 08:34 PM

I never even had an interview, and as I live in the Chicagoland area, I've wondered why no one contacted me.

echekavargas · 03-09-2008, 01:14 PM

My interview went so great. The person who interviewed was an alum from my high school and he knew most of my teachers and my coaches. He had actually heard about me before the interview. He was really close friends with my tennis coach in high school-they were doubles partners. I felt that our conversation went smoothly. Wheter the interview matters or not I am glad it went pleasantly. Even though this is a competition, I truly I wish you all the best of luck.

pinkieboox3 · 03-19-2008, 10:12 PM

lol my interview was interesting. his daughters went to my school so we had some sort of connection. but he mostly talked about his life, his current job, what he did during princeton, and stuff.....it was alright

cone · 03-20-2008, 07:13 PM

i had my interview last month...
my god... i had already lost ,u hope and than I received that e-mail scheduling my interview.. I was so excited!!
i really enjoyed the conversation and the guy who talked with me was so nice!
i hope this will be a very important factor on my application!
=)

RhapsodyinPink · 03-20-2008, 08:43 PM

I hope it isn't! x);

theprez · 03-20-2008, 09:02 PM

I hope it is for me, hahaa. My guy was really nice and he found all this stuff I hadn't thought of that showed qualities Princeton is looking for.

The only awkward part of my interview was:

HIM: So, how do you like OHS? My kids go there and they love it. It's lucky you're applying this year 'cause next year my kid will be a senior and I can't interview.
Me: Uh... Actually, I go to WHS... (The rival of his kid's HS)

I hope his secretary just typoed the name of my HS on the sheet she gave him but still... Not quite sure how that could have been mixed up... It's kind of impt.