What are Alumni Interviews?
For students applying to US universities, including Ivy League institutions, the interview can be a point of confusion. For instance, most US universities do not offer interviews to applicants. Second, among those that do have interview opportunities, it’s possible that not all students will be offered an interview. Since alumni interviews ultimately rely on regional alumni networks, the availability of willing graduates plays a huge role in the scheduling of interviews.
Nonetheless, if you are offered an interview, we highly recommend that you take it, as this will give you one extra touchpoint and chance to engage with a school.
What Are Interviewers Looking For?
Generally speaking, US university alumni interviews are more informal than their UK counterparts. These interviews provide you with the opportunity to speak to a graduate about yourself and your interest in their alma mater, although you should note that they might have studied a major that is completely different to the one you are eyeing!.
Whether or not your academic leanings are the same, it’s still wise to make a good impression on your interviewer, as they will be populating and sending feedback forms to the university’s admissions office. While it’s also unlikely that a positive interview will overturn an existing judgment on your application, a bad interview could sway the opinions of Admissions Officers.
Why you can’t apply to both Oxford and Cambridge
It all comes down to sheer numbers. How many applicants both schools would get, if applicants were allowed to shoot their shots at the same time? Because students are unable to apply for both, each school is able to have a more manageable load of applications.
IvyPrep’s Alumni Interview Tips
Personability and Relatability
Make sure you bring your best self to the interview. Use context clues, like location and the tone of your interviewer’s emails, to determine how formally or casually you’ll be engaging with them. Many interviews take place at casual spots like cafés. Be yourself, rather than worrying too much about flaunting achievements that are already written about in your application.
Preparing Questions
The alumni interviews also serve as an excellent opportunity for you to find out more about the school. In fact, you are encouraged to show your interest through asking incisive questions. Make sure you come prepared with questions to ask your interviewer, pertaining to specifics that may not be as available online. For example, it makes sense to ask them about their personal experiences at the university, rather than making generalized inquiries about readily available curricular information.
Calming the Nerves
Finally, interviews frequently bring anxiety. Even though the US alumni interview is often casual, you might understandably be worried. Take some deep breaths. Sometimes, your own nerves can be your worst enemy. We hope that the clarifications here have given you some peace of mind. Still, make sure that you rest adequately and reassure yourself. We believe in you!
We hope this article has given you a sense of how to put your best foot forward at your US alumni interview. If you’re a student stressing about university admissions, more helpful information can be found on our blog. If you’re looking for advice and support, IvyPrep’s dedicated US admissions team is only a click away.
FAQ
It’s an interview run through a university’s alumni network that allows applicants to connect with alumni prior to the application decision. Alumni generally send a short report back to the university with their thoughts.
Generally, an alumni interview (or something equivalent like a video interview opportunity) will be offered if available. Ivy League interviews are also not as academically rigorous as those at Oxford or Cambridge.
Alumni interviews are generally a reflection of availability, rather than of admission likelihood.
No. Different interviewers will have different styles and preferences, so the experience of these interviews varies greatly from student to student.
From start to finish, the US application process can be a challenging task that requires huge amounts of self reflection and profile building. If your heart is set on attending a US school, and you’re looking for some support, our signature consulting programs are here to help.
