Alumni interviewers

[blublood]

Does anybody else here do alumni interviews? If so, have you gotten an unusual number of no-shows this year? I was assigned 4 kids and out of all of them, only one actually returned my call, and that was to say that she was accepted at Vandy. The other three were contacted by both phone and e-mail and never responded, which is incredibly rude if nothing else. This has never happened before - I usually interview everyone I'm assigned - and I wondered if it was part a wider trend.

[CameronBornAndBred]

Your question doesn't apply to me, but I just wanted to chime in that I think this is bizarre. Why would anyone pay money to get involved in applying to a school, and then not follow up with it. I'm assuming they have already paid their cash, so why waste it? And I agree, if nothing else it is rude. Hopefully it's not a sign of the generation coming up.

[Bluedog]

No, I haven't experienced that. I have been scheduled to interview 4 people. Nobody picked up on my very first call/email, however, which was unusual. One e-mailed the next day to schedule it. Another called me two days later. The third called a day later. I did have trouble with a fourth person, who after two phone calls and three e-mails, she finally called me telling me she is not going to be in my area before March (I had called her in mid-December since I knew she went to a boarding school not close by). She was then re-assigned to an alumnus near her high school.

Last year, I was assigned 6 people to interview. All responded within a week - most within a day or two. Another thing I find interesting is that the majority of interviewees wear jeans. I didn't wear jeans to my college interview...and thought that was a definite "no no." I don't put their appearance in my assessment of the applicants (a couple have worn sweatshirts or gym warmups), but I do find it a bit odd.

[CameronBornAndBred]

A couple have worn sweatshirts or gym warmups.
To me that would be a straight up sign that they don't care. I'd be tempted to tell them to come back when they are serious.

[blublood]

I wouldn't mind if they wore jeans, as I have my so-called "formal jeans" as well, as long as the overall appearance was nice, but wearing sweats is a bit much. I have not called or e-mailed a second or third time with any of my students - I figure if you're not interested enough to answer the first time, then you obviously don't want to go to Duke all that badly.

This is all the more bizarre to me because at my school, the college counselor *heavily* emphasized the interview process and being respectful to all the alumni who contacted you. It doesn't matter if you want to go to the school, don't want to go, or only applied because your mama made you - you call and thank them for their time and explain that you do or not do still want to interview. I don't understand the point of having an "unable to contact, would not return calls" attached to your application.

[Windsor]

Your question doesn't apply to me, but I just wanted to chime in that I think this is bizarre. Why would anyone pay money to get involved in applying to a school, and then not follow up with it. I'm assuming they have already paid their cash, so why waste it? And I agree, if nothing else it is rude. Hopefully it's not a sign of the generation coming up.

I'd bet the students are paying the money....mommy and/or daddy are, so they don't care.

[Bluedog]

I wouldn't mind if they wore jeans, as I have my so-called "formal jeans" as well, as long as the overall appearance was nice, but wearing sweats is a bit much. I have not called or e-mailed a second or third time with any of my students - I figure if you're not interested enough to answer the first time, then you obviously don't want to go to Duke all that badly.

This is all the more bizarre to me because at my school, the college counselor *heavily* emphasized the interview process and being respectful to all the alumni who contacted you. It doesn't matter if you want to go to the school, don't want to go, or only applied because your mama made you - you call and thank them for their time and explain that you do or not do still want to interview. I don't understand the point of having an "unable to contact, would not return calls" attached to your application.

Yeah, I agree. Probably not necessary to call them more than once. I think one call and one e-mail is sufficient - I was just being annoyed by this one particular applicant. I don't recall anybody ever wearing sweatpants, but I do recall one wearing a sweatshirt and one wearing a warmup for a top. But besides that, I guess people have been dressed fine for my interviews. Mostly button downs/polos for guys, and nice blouse/shirt for girls. Another odd thing is in the past 10 interviews I have done over the course of the last two years, I believe only three or four have written thank you notes over email. That is something that applicants should always do.

[kexman]

I tell the students that it is informal and they can wear normal school attire. Also, that I will be dressed in a Duke sweatshirt so that they can ID me. With that being said most of them dress in khakis not jeans, but none have showed up in a tie.

Only about 1/2 send notes by email. Usually 1 will send a handwritten note. In hindsight the handwritten note is nicer, but usually I have written the review by the time it arrives so the email is actually more effective.

[Jim3k]

I think some of you need a lighter touch. Right now, the students are finishing final exams and are unlikely to be responding to anything since they are not bothering with e-mails or responding to voice messages on the family phone.

I generally interview them at their homes (with a parent off in another room somewhere for reasons that should be obvious) or at some public place -- high school career/counseling sideroom or even a nearby coffee bar if it's got a quiet corner. I try to wear something nice, but informal. I tell them that I understand they are high school students and should wear what they normally wear. I want them comfortable so they will open up to me.

There's no reason to assume that they are being disrespectful or are uncaring because they don't immediately respond to your request for an appointment or because they are wearing jeans they wear to school. This is a difficult time for them. Remember, February 15 is the deadline and while it's important to get the interviews out of the way (since there are so many) our schedules are the least important so long as the February 15 deadline can be met.

(I usually write my report the same day as the interview, so they don't backup and when my memory recalls why I wrote a note of some sort.)

[cf-62]

I wouldn't mind if they wore jeans, as I have my so-called "formal jeans" as well, as long as the overall appearance was nice, but wearing sweats is a bit much. I have not called or e-mailed a second or third time with any of my students - I figure if you're not interested enough to answer the first time, then you obviously don't want to go to Duke all that badly.

This is all the more bizarre to me because at my school, the college counselor *heavily* emphasized the interview process and being respectful to all the alumni who contacted you. It doesn't matter if you want to go to the school, don't want to go, or only applied because your mama made you - you call and thank them for their time and explain that you do or not do still want to interview. I don't understand the point of having an "unable to contact, would not return calls" attached to your application.

One reason I stopped interviewing was because of some of what you have been seeing. But let's face it, how can an optional interview with alumni that don't actually work for the admissions office really be seen as "critical" by these kids?

[Jim3k]

...Another odd thing is in the past 10 interviews I have done over the course of the last two years, I believe only three or four have written thank you notes over email. That is something that applicants should always do.

I don't agree that thank-you notes are appropriate. I find them often obsequious; it's as if they are seeking a second chance. As far as I'm concerned, the interview was it. The letters often seem like a do-over and unnecessary, if not a bit off-putting. The simple, sincere thank-yous are rare. In any event, they are always too late.

[Highlander]

One reason I stopped interviewing was because of some of what you have been seeing. But let's face it, how can an optional interview with alumni that don't actually work for the admissions office really be seen as "critical" by these kids?

I tell the kids that an interview isn't critical per se, but it is another dimension to their application. In reality, it may help break a tie between two candidates. The odds of getting rejected are around 93% overall, so anything they can do to make themselves stand out from their peers is good. I've had people I gave a low score to get in, and people I gave a high score get rejected.

This year 2 of 3 people responded immediately, and the third responded after a follow-up email.

[Channing]

how does one go about becoming an interviewer?

[Bluedog]

how does one go about becoming an interviewer?

Contact your local area contact here: http://www.alumniconnections.com/olc/pub/DUKE/alumni_admissions/alumni_admissions_2.html

It's too late to join this year, though.


I don't agree that thank-you notes are appropriate. I find them often obsequious; it's as if they are seeking a second chance. As far as I'm concerned, the interview was it. The letters often seem like a do-over and unnecessary, if not a bit off-putting. The simple, sincere thank-yous are rare. In any event, they are always too late.

I agree that literal in the mail thank you notes are overkill, but I think the applicant should send a one or two sentence e-mail to the interviewer unless, of course, they don't have your email address. Then no thank you note makes sense. I don't really care, though, and usually write the assessment immediately, so I don't wait for an e-mail. Just sayin'. I still like the experience - talking about Duke (my favorite topic!) and learning more about prospective students. I find it enjoyable overall; otherwise, I wouldn't do it.

[Stray Gator]

I tell the kids that an interview isn't critical per se, but it is another dimension to their application. In reality, it may help break a tie between two candidates. The odds of getting rejected are around 93% overall, so anything they can do to make themselves stand out from their peers is good. I've had people I gave a low score to get in, and people I gave a high score get rejected.

This year 2 of 3 people responded immediately, and the third responded after a follow-up email.

I've been conducting interviews for the AAAC since 1992, except during the two years when my own kids were in the applicant pool. Here's a brief summary of my approach to the process and my take on these issues:

1. I always, without exception, arrange to meet with the student at the College Counselor's Office of his or her high school. Students are less intimidated and more likely to relax, open up, and "be themselves" when they're on familiar turf. There are no distractions--and no family members hovering nearby to overhear what's being said or make the student even more self-conscious. I usually have an opportunity while waiting to chat with the College Counselor about former students from that high school who went on to Duke, and sometimes get unsolicited information about the applicant. And though it's sad to even have to acknowledge this concern, there's no danger of being accused of any improper behavior--or threatened with such an accusation.

2. I always explain to the applicant when I when I first speak with them on the phone to schedule the meeting that the interview is informal and is mainly intended to be an informational exchange--that I'll try to answer any questions they have about Duke and the admissions process, and that I'll give them an opportunity to provide me information about their personal interests and aspirations so that the Admissions Committee will have a more complete picture of them as an individual beyond what can be gleaned from the paper in the file. I also like to let them know that I have no information about their grades or test scores, and that I'm not there to "test" them, but to promote their candidacy--that as a local alumnus, I want to help applicants from our area who are interested and qualified "put their best foot forward" so that they may have the opportunity to enjoy and benefit from the Duke experience, as both I and my kids did.

3. I customarily start the interview by asking if they are familiar with how the admissions process works. Then, even if they say they know something about it, I give a brief summary of the 6 categories in which each applicant is evaluated, first by a staff reader, then by the assistant admissions officer responsible for that particular geographic region, who actually presents the applications to the committee. During this summary, I let them know that the interview report is generally accorded about the same weight in the evaluation process as a teacher or counselor recommendation, which makes sense because the purpose is to provide the Admissions Committee an impression of the individual's personal qualities and interactions with others. I also emphasize, of course, that we have no way of influencing or predicting the committee's decisions, which depends on how each individual's credentials and attributes compare with other applicants as the committee tries to "build a class" of people who bring diverse interests, talents, and backgrounds to the table.

4. In fact, while the interview report is rarely decisive, it can be a significant "tie-breaker" in close cases. My understanding from reliable sources is that when the applications are presented and discussed in the committee--at least, those not among the small number at both extremes that are immediately accepted or denied--Guttentag likes to read every interview report.

5. Conversely, I have concluded after many years that the interviewer's "numerical rating" has little if any bearing on the committee's decision. Like everyone else who has done this, I've seen some decisions that really left me scratching my head.

6. This year, for the first time, one of my assigned interviewees has not responded to my repeated phone and e-mail messages attempting to make contact for the purpose of scheduling the interview. I'm willing to make reasonable efforts and allow reasonable latitude; but I don't think it's my duty to track him down after three weeks of fruitless efforts. If I can't get him or someone at his house to answer the phone or reply to my e-mail this weekend, I'm turning the assignment back.