<p>Not that this issue isn’t important, but I want to make sure that applicants aren’t made unnecessarily anxious about their interviews. Most likely, two different people in the admissions office filled out the info for the website and common data set–or the website and the CDS are just two different animals. The CDS, to my knowledge, doesn’t leave room for explanation (also, when I was applying, I had no idea where to even find the CDS), but Carleton admissions works hard to make sure that their website has a friendly and reassuring tone. Two more things, from a former applicant/current student’s perspective:</p>
<p>1) At my interview (not with an admissions officer but with a local alumna, a law student in my city), things were MUCH more casual than they were with a few of my other interviews. There were no trick questions–actually, I think the interviewer had made up her own list of questions and wasn’t reading from a piece of paper. She couldn’t have been nicer (“What are three words that describe you?–No, never mind, that’s always so awkward”). If you look on some of the interview threads on CC, this has been a pretty consistent experience for Carleton applicants. </p>
<p>When it was over, she mentioned that she had a form to fill out, and that she’d try to make me “look good.” </p>
<p>Conclusion: Interviews, while low-key and non-stressful, do result in some kind of addition to your admissions file. </p>
<p>Discovery: My academic adviser has my admissions file–perhaps I can sneak a peek at my interview form when I go in!</p>
<p>2) Writing a thank-you note is a nice and appreciative gesture. It should be done whether you anticipate brownie points or not.</p>