Importance of Interview

memphismom
Thu, 03 Feb 2011 15:22:51 +0000

Thank you Peter for doing your research!

The alums doing the “information meetings” are volunteers - some areas of the country do not have enough avaliable alums who volunteer so the “interviews” are not required.

The alum WILL give the admissions committee feed back on you - mostly if you have additional info to add since you filed your application, and what level of interest you show in Cornell. However, while these might sway an admissions decision, they are not very critical in the process as all candidates are not offered an information meeting.

I also consider the meeting a chance for the applicant to have a local contact to Cornell…if a question occurs later, or you need specific info like getting from your hometown to Ithaca.

Mostly, it will be a conversation. Dress neatly but school clothes. Ask questions about the school…dorms, food, travel. merits of this program vs. that… try NOT to use very generic questions - I’ve had kids ask me “Tell me about Cornell!” ungh? Know the basics to have a conversation. Like where the school is located.

Don’t worry about being nervous - that 's ok…but also realize the the adult across the table must love Cornell a great deal to give up their free time to meet a stranger for coffee - so don’t say rude things like “It’s in the middle of no-where”

Smile - and try to look and act like someone who would like to go to the alum’s beloved school and you will be fine.