<p>I’m sorry, but those three posts constitute flimsy anecdotal evidence and cannot be used to make a sweeping generalization about interview procedures, not to mention that the fact that one is asked where he applied does not say anything about what an interviewer is required to ask of an applicant. </p>
<p>If you are suggesting that three pieces of anecdotal evidence are somehow legitimizing your assertion that all interviewers are required to ask where applicants have applied, you probably don’t have the reasoning skills required to succeed in a top college. That’s like saying all policemen are required by law to ask girls whom they’ve pulled over if they’re single because you have a couple attractive female friends who’ve been in that situation. </p>
<p>On the other hand, it only takes one example to disprove your assertion that all interviewers are required to ask where their applicants have applied. I was not asked by any of my interviewers where else I had applied. Therefore, interviewers are not required to report to their alma maters where students have sent their applications.</p>
<p>Just as one interviewer might ask an applicant where else he applied (when the school tells him not to), an interviewer could also * not * ask an applicant (even if the school tells him to do so). Either way, your interviews are anecdotal as well. Interviewers on either side of the spectrum may not be following the rules.</p>
<p>In other words, interviewers are human. Humans make mistakes.</p>
<p>Okay, I do not actually believe that * every * school requires interviewers to ask where else the kids applied. However, my Harvard interviewer did have the Harvard form printed out in front of me, with typed spots for scores, and I believe there was a spot for where else I applied. I did not carefully examine the form, of course, so I may be incorrect. I do still believe that Harvard asks interviewers for this information.</p>
<p>Felix - before I comment, let me say I only read half of your post - I’m not sure why you’re spending such time replying to my statement about the three people who said they all were asked where they were applying… I was being sarcastic when I said “kimathi, after addressing me directly, how does it feel to have three anonymous others reply saying they were asked to their dozens of schools? ;)” sorry you didn’t pick up on that.</p>
<p>My suggestion felix - relax a bit, and if all goes well, we’ll be at visitas together. </p>
<p>The fact that some interviewers do not ask the question is sufficient proof that Harvard does not ask interviewers for this information. If it was specifically asked for, there would be an overwhelming majority here who had been asked the question, which clearly is not the case. Furthermore, I think the fact that I and a few of my friends were not asked – while being interviewed by an admission officer – rests this case.</p>
<p>Also, as interviewers are, after all, curious human beings, they may ask whatever they wish that they may deem relevant and would not be encroaching too much on the interviewees’ privacy. What each interviewer views as intrusive is, of course, a subjective matter, making it obvious that some interviewers will ask the question and others not. </p>
<p>In fact, it seems to me that this should have been quite clear to anyone with a reasonable amount of intelligence, and I therefore feel it to be a moot point to be debating over and gathering limited anecdotal evidence for. </p>
<p>As such, I was a bit puzzled over why we had even entered this unnecessary debate, and looked earlier into the thread, only to discover that the debate was sparked by a baseless and bold statement written by none other than our venerable Homer! He is an accomplished ■■■■■ indeed to have managed to waste so much of our time in such a subtle and clever manner.</p>
<p>I will therefore protect myself from further harm by ignoring his future points, and hope that he will not disguise himself with a new username.</p>
<p>Although I do not like to bear ill will toward anyone, I cannot help but sincerely hope, if Homer’s character is reflective of how he carries himself in real life, that he will not become an admission mistake on the 30th of March.</p>
<p>"I therefore feel it to be a moot point to be debating "</p>
<p>Yes I agree. I thought/hoped we established this clearly two posts ago…;)</p>
<p>Poly, this is an internet board - a place where the fundamental elements of communication (i.e., body language, tone, emotion, etc) are largely nonexistent. There is no purpose to post an emotional response, and condemn an anonymous user (me) whom you don’t know to the point where you hope they do not gain admission. I think you’re the only one left on the thread who is discussing this issue about where likelies are likely to go… So; relax, grow up a bit (respectfully) and use the forums as a resource for info and enjoyment.</p>
<p>As far as the issue about likely letters is concerned; none of us know for certain whether interviewers are required to ask this. It’s possible that this differs from region to region, given interviews are handled by the local club. It is fair to say that likelies are more inclined to go to people who colleges fear to loose, such as Ivy’s and athletes… no more than that.</p>
<p>I only interviewed with Harvard and Brown, but neither asked where I was applying. Rice, however, included that question on the supplement. Also, I think adcoms have a feeling of who they feel will be most competitive and thus, they send out letters to those individuals. For example, idk why, but I’ve received a likely letter/email from every college I’ve applied to, which includes Harvard, Brown, Dartmouth, Cornell, Columbia, and Rice. I really think that they go with their instinct and based on the fact that all of these schools sent the letter to the same person, I’m guessing that they all predicted the same thing. Nevertheless, I’ve been extremely blessed and couldn’t be more grateful!</p>
<p>Just to clarify, personally, I think that interviewers ask that question informally. In my Harvard interview, my interviewer asked the question, but she did not take any notes on the colleges that I told her. </p>
<p>However, no one can make a sweeping generalization. Lets just keep an open mind about the process and not argue - decisions come in about 15 to 14 days (I could use felixfelicis’ countdown right about now).</p>
<p>Hey jgedwards, seeing as you’re only going to be using one of those letters, mind if I have one of the others? :D</p>
<p>I did get asked about my other schools in my Harvard interview, and it seemed to me like my interviewer was asking all the questions he may have been prompted to ask (he specifically said once, “they want me to get an idea of [this], so tell me about it”). Perhaps it is on the list of suggested questions, and it is up to the interviewer to choose to ask it or not.</p>
<p>Sure, why not. I’ll most likely leave out a whole bunch of details, but here’s a rough idea:</p>
<ul>
<li>SAT I (breakdown): 750 Math, 720 Critical Reading, 790 Writing; (2260)</li>
<li>SAT II: Korean 800, Math II 780, World History 740, Bio M 730, Lit 710</li>
<li>Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 1/502</li>
</ul>
<p>Subjective:</p>
<ul>
<li>Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis):
Clubs: On-campus community service club (President, 4 years), student-teacher at local art program and choir (8 years), first chair flautist in orchestra (5 years), and the list goes on…
Sports: None
Additional: Editor-in-Chief of school newspaper (2 years), Battalion Commander and district commander of JROTC, etc.</li>
<li>Job/Work Experience: Intern at a huge law firm over the summer</li>
<li>Volunteer/Community service: Various. Over 2000 hours total</li>
<li>Summer Activities: Internships, summer programs at various universities</li>
<li>Essays: Common App Essay: I thought it was terribly written. About my experience of going to the United Nations. /Supplement: Took a risk with this one. I talked about a friend I met online who I found out had lied about her gender all along.</li>
<li>Teacher Recommendation: Fantastic. One from AP Biology teacher and one from AP US History teacher.</li>
<li>Counselor Rec: Mediocre. I think he sends the same rec for all the students.</li>
<li>Additional Rec: One from the instructor of a local art program I teach at</li>
<li>Interview: Mediocre. Lasted barely 30 minutes. </li>
</ul>
<p>Other</p>
<ul>
<li>State (if domestic applicant): California</li>
<li>Country (if international applicant):</li>
<li>School Type: Public</li>
<li>Ethnicity: Asian</li>
<li>Gender: Female</li>
<li>Income Bracket: Under $30,000</li>
<li>Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): None</li>
</ul>
<p>Reflection</p>
<ul>
<li>Strengths: Well-rounded. Submitted an art supplement.</li>
<li>Weaknesses: SAT II scores, essays</li>
<li>Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected: I prayed and prayed and prayed :)</li>
<li>Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected: Likely letter from Dartmouth, acceptance and offer for full ride from Duke, acceptance from UCLA and UC Irvine. Waiting on 9 more schools. Deferred from Yale SCEA.</li>
</ul>