<p>*meant to say she majored in psychology. That’s what’s really different from biology, not math. sorry!</p>
<p>My Harvard interview was… interesting. She made it clear that she wasn’t going to write a positive recommendation letter for just one or two interviewees, but for us all, and wanted to ensure that she could make us all sound unique to an admissions officer. We talked about our love for American history, how much we love Boston, and a few other things, and told her daughter on the phone that our interview was “very interesting.” She had to cut our interview short to pick her daughter up, but I didn’t mind. It took place in her office at U of M, ironically.</p>
<p>My interview went okay. We laughed throughout and he told me some cool stories about Harvard and he told me something he said he’s not supposed to tell but it wasn’t a big deal. I don’t know. Reading about these other kids’ interviews and how your interviewers all went crazy about you and how they’re giving you positive recommendations is offsetting. My interviewer didn’t talk to me about politics or any of that crap. It was just a nice and easy convo about his experience and some stuff I’ve done. In the end I really don’t care. I was me during the whole interview so if they don’t want me, Harvard can go f themselves lol.</p>
<p>Can someone explain the Harvard interview where they have alot of students come to one place and a student gets a ten minute interview with one of the reps? This doesn’t make sense to me if other students are getting one hour interviews. Thanks</p>
<p>It sounds like situations where a local alumni club tries to invite many applicants in for a massive day of interviews. Clubs have flexibility in how they run these things, if at all. Having one last 10 minutes would be very strange. Were you the 10 minute interview?</p>
<p>From skimming through this thread, I notice that a lot of you guys talked about politics and current issues with your interviewers. I’m an International student and I feel like I wouldn’t be able to talk as comprehensively about these things as an American student might; and I’m more science-oriented than humanities-oriented (of course, I know that it’s really important to be informed on global affairs, but I feel like I’d only be able to talk for a couple of seconds on global affairs)
Do you think this might hurt me a lot?
Thank you so much :)</p>
<p>I do not.</p>
<p>For one thing, you’ll be interviewed by someone who lives near you, and not by somebody who lives here in America.</p>
<p>Additionally, unless your interviewer is a lunatic or a sadist, he or she will want to talk about the things that you like to discuss. I have discussed science with applicants who were interested in science, politics with applicants who were interested in politics, and so on. I have never quizzed anybody about what was on CNN or in the New York Times.</p>
<p>Sent from my DROIDX using CC</p>
<p>I have my interview in a little over a week, any tips :D?</p>
<p>^^Have something to say. </p>
<p>Don’t be a jerk, but don’t just sit quietly and give one-word responses to the questions asked. (This from my daughter who is an '08 grad and does alumni interviews for H).</p>
<p>Yes, by all means, have something to say.</p>
<p>Have opinions – informed opinions. Don’t be afraid to take a position and defend it. If I am interviewing you, I am considering how thoughtful you are, how informed you are, how articulate you are. I am not evaluating you based on how closely your opinions align with mine.</p>
<p>Be yourself. If you eat, sleep and breathe photography, don’t try to sell me on how much you love doing your math homework, tell me about your passion for photography! Unless your interview is taking place at a law firm, leave the suit and tie at home; dress comfortably.</p>
<p>Be honest. I’ve been doing this for a while, I probably can tell if you are lying. If you are not comfortable answering a question or if you do not want to share your test scores, say so; don’t say you cannot remember your scores, I will not believe you.</p>
<p>Don’t be afraid of talking too much. An applicant with a lot to say makes my job of writing up an interview report very easy. Your interviewer already went to Harvard. If s/he is doing most of the talking, you have a problem.</p>
<p>Remember: the interview is a very small part of your application. Your teacher recommendations and your essays are far more important. Also, keep in mind that most of us see ourselves as advocates for the applicants we interview. We are not out to get you or trick you.</p>
<p>Thanks guys :)</p>
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<p>For me: it’s YES and NO. My foremost role is to act as eyes & ears for my alma mater. While I genuinely enjoy connecting with students (and each year, I quietly hope for a few of them), I will advocate for them as merited – and in the full context of the entire, highly competitive applicant pool.</p>
<p>I’m there to allow the student to present more info to the admissions committee. I’m a vehicle. But if the presentation isn’t much, I’ll say so. Most of my reports I rate as “average in the context of the pool” despite the generally superior accomplishments of each student. Very occasionally, I get a few extraordinary ones. They get higher ratings from me, of course.</p>
<p>I haven’t had my interview yet, but do you guys think it would be a good idea to bring a short list of interesting things I’ve done? Not a resume, per say, but there are a couple of things that never seem to come up “naturally”…</p>
<p>Have you been contacted for an interview? If so, I suggest emailing your information in advance. Resumes or other information can be helpful (students sometimes forget to mention important things during interviews). On the other hand, I really dislike being handed a piece of paper when the student arrives; I find it distracting.</p>
<p>If you have not yet been contacted, then ask your interviewer when s/he makes initial contact what is preferred.</p>
<p>No I haven’t been contacted yet, that’s actually a much better idea to just send it when I set up the interview. Thanks. By the way, do you know when I will be contacted? I’m applying RD, and I have everything in except the commonapp which I should be submitting today.</p>
<p>I’m fairly sure that interviewers get to see the applications of those they interview, so extra information just for the information may be redundant.</p>
<p>^^Nope. According to my daughter (who is a Harvard alumni interviewer), the only information she gets about each applicant is name, contact information, gender, and whether they are EA or RD.</p>
<p>Now this may vary somewhat by locale - depending on how the local Harvard Club manages the interview process. Because I recall that when she went for her own interview years ago (here in San Diego) the local alumni club had her fill out a 1-page basic info sheet (GPA, SATs, intended major, etc.) that was provided to the interviewer. But that had nothing to do with Harvard itself. Harvard does not release copies of the apps to the interviewers.</p>
<p>No, we do not see students’ applications. We get name, contact info, the name of the applicant’s high school, not much else.</p>
<p>As for when you will be contacted, I think that depends on when the regional coordinator assigns interviews and when your interviewer has the time to contact you. I would expect it to take place some time in January if you have not already been contacted.</p>
<p>Had my interview about a week ago. It was…meh. I really don’t know how to describe it. From my perspective, it makes me want to forget Harvard. Even with the practically nonexistent chance I’m accepted, I’m not sure I would go. My interviewer dominated the conversation and probably saw me as an average applicant. I didn’t get in much, and it probably made me look dull. </p>
<p>While we got along fine and laughed together about pop culture and whatnot, my interviewer made a few insensitive remarks (looking back on it, I should have been personally offended by one), did not like the school I go to, and did not enjoy the Harvard experience (read: wanted to get out). My mom wondered why such a person would interview for Harvard.</p>
<p>What a shame, I had really looked forward to getting an interesting take on Harvard. Instead, I had to listen to really disheartening stuff. I know it’s just one person, but it’s hard to get past it.</p>
<p>My Yale and UPenn interviews were amazing, though 
</p>
<p>I hope everyone else has better luck!</p>
<p>My Harvard interview was amazing. We talked about the most random topics from Prince William and Kate Middleton to the sinking of Titanic. There were a lot of laughs and a lot of commonalities between us. She wished me luck on the application process. I just don’t get why the interview needs to know our GPA, SAT/ACT/SAT Subject test scores, etc. I understand why they would ask about extracurricular activities but I’m a bit self-conscious of my other stats. Ugh. My GPA is phenomenal but I’m worried my standardized test scores will break me. Hopefully this is where the Harvard interview comes in.</p>