RE: Post #3 My first thought, if I was the parent hearing the comment from the admissions director would be “Heck, What did my child say that caused that kind of response?” An interview is about the subjective, about having a dialogue with the applicant and getting to know them BEYOND the stuff on paper. It’s about finding out who this student is (as much as you can do so in a short interview). It’s not about a discussion of grades, test scores, objective hard data. I’d want to know more. I’d want to know if my child had said something that could have been construed as un-PC or untoward or inappropriate. Although I might have been taken aback by the comment, I would definitely have asked why the admissions director felt that way and what made him say that. Not so much to counter the argument but to be aware for other interviews and applications. And, I would not have my child apply to that school if such a comment was made. Obviously, things turned out wonderfully for the poster’s daughter however I am surprised that an application was made and more questions weren’t asked to get some kind of clarity around the comment.
I don’t get why people don’t ask more questions when they hear some of these comments, including the ones about applying undecided vs. direct admit. Better to face the facts and be informed. I’d rather know what someone was thinking about me as an applicant than having them keep their mouth shut and not knowing. If I was interviewing for a job, I’d rather the interviewer be direct and say “You’re not what we need. You’re not what we’re looking for” than to leave me hanging and guessing, right? From that, I can adjust my strategy (or not) rather than spinning my wheels.