<p>I just finished my Tufts interview… by phone! :eek:</p>
<p>(gaaaaaah! I just HATE talking to people on the phone. I don’t even like calling my boyfriend, so why would I want to talk to a complete stranger, regarding the most important decision of my life, via PHONE?!?!)</p>
<p>…so, now that I’ve finished hyperventilating…</p>
<p>She asked me if there was anything else I’d like the admissions people to know about me, and I froze. I really should have anticipated that sort of question, it’s not like it came out of left field or anything… but I started stammering, I said “like” a bunch, and “um”, and then I said something along the lines of, “I’m sorry, I can’t think on my feet.”</p>
<p>Oh great, yeah, that’s exactly what Tufts wants.</p>
<p>AND I didn’t get to talk much about anything that really matters to me… I used sports as an example of how I adjust to moving to new schools, but you know? I’m not a sports person. I’m a band geek, MUN conference going, Spanish Club person. And I didn’t talk about any of that.</p>
<p>And I haven’t even submitted my supplement, yet. If you think I’m not going to Tufts, raise your hand… mine’s up.</p>
<p>Gah.</p>
<p>Don’t stress out, according to all accounts interviews hardly ever make or break an application. Yeah, your response to the “anything else” question was a complete bellyflop, and not directing the conversation to things that make you tick was not exactly a stellar move, but you know what, in the end this will matter only if you are on the absolute bubble, tied with another applicant in every other conceivable category. Take a deep breath, inhale (a joint if you absolutely must 
and relax. You will have enough to stress about between 3/15 and 4/1.</p>
<p>It probably went better than you think. BUT - next time, write out the points you want to make sure that YOU introduce into the conversation.</p>
<p>Many, many years ago when I was interviewing for a job I felt as you did. the interviewer looked at me, smiled, and said “so…tell me about yourself”. My response was something along the lines of er, ah, umm, ah…</p>
<p>Prepare 3 things you want to get across in the interview. Tell them about yourself. Tell them about your strengths - what sets you apart, what makes you a distinctive candidate, and what you will add to their students body.</p>
<p>No more worries about the Tufts interview. (It is what it is) Intervies won’t make you or break you )I’m convinced of that). but DO give some forethought to your essays (if you’re not ED).</p>
<p>Why Tufts? What community service/global perspective do you offer? How will you USE your education to amke the world a better place.</p>
<p>Please believe me - wherever you get in, you’ll look back on it fondly in 10, 20 years as your alma mater. tufts is a great school, but truthfully, it is not the only one. </p>
<p>Pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and start all over again!</p>
<p>Munchkin–I’m so sorry you felt like you blew it! But let me give you an interviewer’s perspective. I’ve written a lot of Tufts interview reports and see a whole lot more. </p>
<p>Our job is to “bring you to life.” It is reaaly not to judge. Saying a few dumb things or dressing incorrectly or whatever gaff has no effect–interviewers know that you are 17 or 18 and we don’t tend to put things like, “he can’t think on his feet” in our reports. My guess is that your report is a whole lot better than you think.</p>
<p>But let me get your opinion–would you have preferred no interview to the phone? It’s a tricky issue for the many areas that don’t have enough alumni interviews.</p>
<p>Fingers crossed for you. And again, my message is that I am sure that you did not blow it.</p>
<p>Personally, I wouldn’t want to be interviewed over the phone either. It’s tough because you can’t see the reaction of the interviewer. I wouldn’t worry
too much though, I’ve heard that the interview really isn’t that important.
They’re going to be looking at grades, SAT’s and EC’s first.</p>
<p>If you write clearly, you might want your supplement to be an editorial on why applicants should strive for in person vs phone interviews. You don’t have to state the reasons applied to you, but “from knowing a number of kids who interviewed by phone…”</p>
<p>most 17 and 18 year olds are nervous and have no idea how to perform in an interview. So don’t sweat it too badly: as long as you didn’t make racist/sexist/homophobic comments or imply that you’ve been a slacker or have something to hide, your interview probably went ok.</p>
<p>Out of curiosity, did you schedule your interview or did they call you? Because on their website it says after the supplemental form has been submitted, they will contact you about an alumni interview. I submitted my application over three weeks ago and I still haven’t heard from the admissions office.</p>
<p>lonnie117, they (the interviewer, not the admissions office) should contact you. First, make sure you opted in to have an interview. Then keep in mind that alumni interview programs are based on volunteers. It could be that your interviewer is caught up in end-of-year activities, or it could be that there is no available interviewer close to you. Give it a few weeks before you ask the admissions office.</p>
<p>And if you don’t manage to get an interview, don’t sweat it. Many many many applicants are admitted to Tufts with out the interview.</p>
<p>Oh, and make sure you opted in to have an interview. Tufts used to assign all students and only this year began an opt-in process. It’s caused a few minor glitches, mostly with applicants who did not request an interview being offered one.</p>