HELP! I'm so confused how to rate the Princeton interview I just had!

So he asked only three questions which was surprising and felt like a bad sign! (he is the CEO of a company so let me tell myself he was busy​:sob::sob::sob::sob:)

  • Tell me about yourself
  • Describe your extracurriculars out of school
  • What do you plan to do after your undergraduate studies, will you stay in the US or return to your home country?

Though I think we talked most about my love for quantum computing and we clicked a lot on that, he tested my knowledge on it and was smiling and writing down notes as we were talking. then I spent the rest of the time asking him questions. I asked more questions than he asked me :skull: :skull: :skull:

I’m so lost on how to rate this :sob::sob:

This sounds like a fine set of questions and a good interview. Your application is already sent…so good luck!

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Thanks it just seemed odd cause when i checked other applicants they were asked like an average of 5+ questions

Please please stop discussing your college journey with other applicants. You have NO idea what happened really.

At this point, there isn’t anything you can do bout this anyway. So just relax, and look at the positive parts of it.

And stop discussing this with others.

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This was most likely based on just the personality of the person who interviewed you. I do not think that this tells you anything about whether or not you are likely to be accepted.

Princeton is a reach for all students. Make sure that you have also applied to other schools that you would be happy to attend and where acceptance is far more likely.

If you get into Princeton (unlikely for any student, particularly unlikely for an international student) then you will know that all went well. If you do not get into Princeton, you most likely will never know why, other than the fact that the vast majority of Princeton’s applicants are very well qualified to attend, and most are rejected.

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The interview very rarely plays any role in the admission decision anyway

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  1. The interview is not a critical part of Princeton’s admission process. Plus, it sounds like things went well.

  2. Different alumni interviewers will have different styles, different schedules, etc. It is not surprising that they will ask applicants a different number of questions.

  3. Your application is complete – please don’t drive yourself nuts comparing your experience to others.

Good luck as you finish up the college admission process.

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Why do you need to rate it?

It sounds like you felt comfortable and you were able to show your passion for quantum computing - and there was a connection.

So that seems positive.

Best of luck.

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My kid’s Princeton interviewer ghosted her today. :unamused:

Things can happen. Alumni are volunteers who usually have jobs, kids, and commitments. That is no excuse, but an explanation. Have your kid reach out to her directly

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Happened to my kid with a Cornell interviewer. She wasn’t terribly apologetic but did reschedule. So much stress for the kid - sorry it happened to yours!

Thanks. We are hoping to be rescheduled.

Don’t rate it and don’t worry about it. The Alumni interviews don’t tip the scales (unless one does something shocking or negatively noteable!).

Perhaps he is also “rating” you on the quality of your questions. If one were to ask silly, easily found items (how big/small is the school? Is it in a city or rural, does it have my major), it would “rate” low. But if the questions are ones that take advantage of having an alum to offer insight, it would likely “rate” higher.

Also, be thankful. Some interviewers ask so many questions that there isn’t much time for the applicant to ask questions to gain insight.

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Outstanding interview ! Interviewer’s questions were appropriate & your questions showed strong interest.

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Also, I expect the depth of your discussion is more important than counting the number of questions the interviewer asked.

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As one who has done Princeton interviews, I can tell you that they really don’t move the needle in a positive way (I think maybe they could in a negative way). Many of us have interviewed lots of incredible people and never had a single interviewee admitted.

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