<p>Color me appalled. Along with several other posters on this thread.</p>
<p>At the interviewer, not the interviewee. </p>
<p>I see virtually no difference between what the student <em>actually</em> said in his (her?) emails and what the OP claims s/he <em>should have</em> said.</p>
<p>I think the interviewer communicated information to the interviewee which was entirely inaccurate, and recognized none of the interviewee’s polite attempts to find mutually agreeable time and place. </p>
<p>And then, THEN, I read that the interviewer waits to see if the interviewees have sent thank-you notes before submitting write-ups to the “prestigious” school; dissing those who have not done so. </p>
<p>IMO, this interviewer has a misplaced chip on the shoulder.</p>
<p>I, too, interview for a prestigious school. I don’t claim that all of “my” candidates, whom I have supported, get accepted. That’s not my role. I think the OP is confused about hers.</p>