<p>I was contacted a few days ago about an interview for Cornell. </p>
<p>The alum wants to meet at McDonald’s…this definitely doesn’t make me excited about this interview. in fact, I’m not looking forward to it at all and am completely at a loss over how to approach this interview. I have an outfit which is business casual which I wore to my 1st interview, but its wayy too formal for a fast food chain! Interview at a McDonald’s?? Anyone else getting the same bad vibe from this prospect as i am? =/</p>
<p>Anybody else whose interviewer wanted to meet at a weird place (as in, totally not appropriate for a conversation, let alone an interview)? </p>
<p>Of course I’m treating this interview like any other, and will try to ignore the qualms I get from trying to present myself to a college at a Mcdonald’s. But I can’t help thinking…</p>
<p>I wouldn’t worry about McDonalds as a reflection of how the offices view your application because the interviewers don’t get any information about you beforehand. Plus, you never know, meeting at McDonalds could be an advantage. Your interviewer could be a really chill guy as opposed to a stiff businessman.</p>
<p>It’s not an interview as much as it is a casual conversation. Sure, he/she is going to ask you questions, but they’re mostly geared towards helping the conversation flow, nothing too brainracking. You hear this a lot but the alumni interview can only help you, that is if you’re not a social recluse. Be yourself, talk freely, look and sound interested, and show that you really care about the school.</p>
<p>A couple of reasons for having your interview at McD are: 1. Funds are tight for a lot of people, especially now. At any interview in a restaurant or coffee shop, you should expect to pay for your own drink, snack, etc., so your interviewer may have chosen McD in order to minimize your expenses. And if your alum insists on hosting the drinks and snacks, then keep in mind that he/she probably has a number of people to interview and the expense for all those interviews adds up. In either case, your interviewer is trying to be considerate. 2. Convenience - maybe your interviewer does not live nearby (or maybe you do not live near the interview point) and for someone not familiar with the area, a McD store is a good landmark – usually located on a main street, with good signage, lighting and parking, and relatively easy to find. In any event, you should prepare to present yourself well at the interview no matter where it’s held, including dressing appropriately, whether the interview is evaluative or informative.</p>
<p>Anyways, I wasn’t really worried about the interview itself. I should have no problem making it into Cornell and its not one of my top choices. I was just slightly perturbed by the fact that the interviewer picked a McDonald’s. I think i’m perfectly fine and reasonably articulate in an interview and can put aside my surroundings easily. I was just wondering if this is normal, out of curiosity. </p>
<p>I don’t think its because the interviewer is particularly chill, the communication we have had thus far has been pretty stiff and formal (although you can’t tell much from cyber talking).</p>
<p>I live in a upper-middle class surburban area, I highly doubt the person picked McDonald’s because its a familiar landmark. In our area, the popularity of other chains like Five Guys or Potbelly’s far exceeds McD.</p>
<p>I appreciate you guys putting the optimistic per spin on this, but I don’t really see any of that. I don’t think the kindness of the person’s heart prompted the visit to McDonald’s but I have nothing against the person either. I’m just remarking on the strangeness of the circumstances. I know the economy’s tough but you don’t really see that in this area. Most interviewers only have a load of like 5 kids per year anyways; going to McD for those 5 as opposed to just grabbing a small coffee drink at Starbucks is not really saving much, if any, money. Besides, McD’s cheapness is mere stigma. Whenever my mom and I go to McD, we’re spending 10 bucks for the two of us. That’s not as cheap as ppl’s preconceptions of McD suggest.</p>
<p>i love horses! except not the ‘high’ ones. those are scary cause its so much further to fall if i fall off. </p>
<p>Its too bad i’m not one of those shy, timid girls who come on CC and meekly ask if they’re good enough for XXX Ivy League school. I just think its funny how people laud the vague group of individuals who are confident as the independent leaders of the next generation, but upon encountering someone who might not be cowering in their boots at prospects of an interview, they automatically label them as rich snobs. Hypocritical much? </p>
<p>What, is McDonald’s the only building to grace your town’s street? I should hope not.</p>
<p>It has nothing to do with budget. Most interviews don’t involve buying food or even drinks.</p>
<p>McDonald’s, Starbucks, and public libraries are the types of places recommended to the interviewers to suggest to prospective students. Anywhere except their homes. Those establishments are simple, casual, and everywhere. It sounds like the interviewer just lacked creativity. He should have suggested a Panera or something like that. It’s not the place that matters.</p>
<p>I would have expected the person to ask me to go to Starbucks if the person lacked creativity. I wouldn’t have thought of McDonalds off the top of my head, that’s why i found it sort of weird.</p>
<p>That whole “I should have no problem making it into Cornell” comment might have ticked some people off, especially so close to ED D-Day. 'Twas not the humblest of responses.</p>
<p>in this day the interviewer’s home is a BIG no-no!! you should NEVER be alone with the interviewer. guidelines even recommend that the alum not interview you in their place of employment -</p>
<p>"That whole “I should have no problem making it into Cornell” comment might have ticked some people off, especially so close to ED D-Day. 'Twas not the humblest of responses. "</p>
<p>Ok, not humble at all. But there are so many people on CC that are wayyy better than me in their high school record, why would this be the first time that someone acknowledges that Cornell is a match as opposed to a high reach? </p>
<p>"Well, if the interviewer came off stiff and formal, I can only imagine how you appeared to him/her if your current thread is any indication… "</p>
<p>I know. I’m as flat as a board. </p>
<p>"in this day the interviewer’s home is a BIG no-no!! you should NEVER be alone with the interviewer. guidelines even recommend that the alum not interview you in their place of employment - "</p>
<p>it wasn’t creepy or anything. She was a very nice lady who invited me to her home. Another scheduled interview is at the person’s workplace. I think its ok, but i’m no expert at the college interview process.</p>
<p>Agreed. Cornell explicitly forbids its alums from holding contacts at their homes because of problems that other schools have had.</p>
<p>That said, the OP’s attitude needs some adjustment. And if you don’t have an open mind as to meeting somebody at McDonald’s, you probably are not the type of person who would take advantage of the opportunities at Cornell.</p>
<p>My interviewer met me at the food court at a local mall. We had a great informal, relaxed talk. After the interview (of couorse) my dad found tips on line for the alumni nterviewers and they are asked to go to a public place that a teenager would feel comfortable at. Also, one of the things they look for is how comfortable you are in your own skin and around others - will you fit at Cornell, get along with people, adapt as needed etc…Also they are asked to report on whether or not they felt you really wanted Cornell.</p>
<p>Not sure how much weight is given to them, perhaps only if you are on the bubble or there is a huge red flag.</p>
<p>i like the collossal stretch from my discomfort over going to McD to my hypothetically egotistical refusal of all opportunities. </p>
<p>this thread is highly amusing…in fact, its intriguing to see how society rejects honesty. If I had paraded a facade of meekness, replies would include justifications for why I’m meeting at a McD’s – which imply that people agree with my qualms. But because I was honest, I’m immediately labelled as snobby and arrogant, with everyone attacking me as too elitist to go to McD’s for an interview. How many of you honestly feel that McDonald’s is a 100% apprprioate place for an interview? Or better yet, how many ppl have actually had an interview at McD?</p>
<p>ffhrea - Starbucks and public libraries are much more business and academically oriented. I don’t think McDonald’s belongs in that grouping. </p>
<p>Cayuga - how might I make myself a better person? =( I’m all ears.</p>
<p>Mine was in the Mall food court and there is a McDonalds in the area - does that count? Seriously, I think they just look for a place familiar to most teens that has a table and chairs. I wouldn’t be too concerned about it.</p>
<p>You could stop being so defensive, for one. Aside from your own prejudices, there is nothing weird or inappropriate about meeting at a McDonald’s. Perhaps your alum is a bit out of touch with kids these days, but that doesn’t imply anything about Cornell or its student body. Maybe the alum likes to meet at McDonald’s because he is more likely to be able to get an open table? I don’t know. Ask him. I am interested.</p>
<p>But the only thing that we can infer from this whole situation so far is based on your reaction to it.</p>
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<p>It is just as appropriate as a coffee shop or food court. And although I prefer to patronize locally owned businesses, I’ve met many students at fast food restaurants. </p>
<p>Full disclosure: I train other alums in how to hold these sessions and have held more than 30 of them in the past two years.</p>
<p>For one, I don’t think my 2 hours of sleep a night this week is helping my mood. </p>
<p>I would love to ask my interviewer why he picked McDonald’s. But there’s no way I could do that without sounding questioning. I’ll try and infer that when we meet, i guess. </p>
<p>About being defensive, I don’t have a good track record with the friends i pick. Not that I’m a naturally caring and sweet person, but I’ve grown extremely cynical about the world after being stabbed in the back (figuratively, of course) by my best friend (an uber competitive student who’s sooo good at maintaining a perfect front and lying about her accomplishments). The college process is certainly not helping, as I don’t believe that the admissions officers can distinguish between sentimental liars and sincere students. </p>
<p>Anyways, I realize that I’m not a warm and fuzzy person, and I know people that think I’m aggressive and self-centered. But I hope honesty wins a few points in your camp. I’m conscious of and take to heart what people think and say, which I think is better than pure arrogance. I’m not trying to complain about my life. I just wanted to express my belief that maybe the negativity that’s coming across here isn’t 100% baseless. </p>
<p>So I guess the problem I have with McDonald’s is the cliched fast food image that goes with it. Not that there’s anything wrong w/ McDonald’s specifically, but the cheap stigma that it is associated with clashes with my preconceptions of interviews. </p>
<p>I’m not too keen on having interviews in food courts simply because it will be loud. I guess that’s partially why I’m against McDonald’s, I feel like its going to be slightly difficult to meet someone in a somewhat disruptive area. </p>
<p>Cayuga - I’m sorry for not giving you any respect. I have been talking on CC like I’m talking with peers and not realizing that there are so many mentor-figures giving honest advice about the college experience. Maybe once the stress of college apps diminishes I might be able to converse without snapping.</p>