<p>Your mother sounds a off the deep end. I’m sorry you have to deal with this stress. The suggestion that your mother sneak into the coffee shop is a terrible one. No one should have the stress of having an inappropriate parents hanging around their interview.</p>
<p>Tell her this is not a personal thing. Colleges expect the student to be independent in this process and they want students who handle things on their own. No one expects that they won’t need a ride, however. It is just inappropriate for a parent to be within hearing or sight of a college interview. The interviewer doesn’t want the parent cramping your style or his style to have a conversation free of influence.</p>
<p>Perhaps it will appease your mom if you can tell her the protocol is for the parent to be introduced then to leave. Maybe she will get enough out of it to meet them. But if she knows they will find it strange if she stays in the shop. It isn’t personal between your and her, it is just something that other parents don’t do, so it could hurt you in the process.</p>
<p>The best thing to do would be to see if the interviewer can come within walking distance of you. Tell them you have transportation problems. Or can you find someone else to drive you?</p>