  Because I have decided that I don't have enough on my plate (3 part-time research jobs in addition to mothering whiny francophone children), I decided to volunteer to interview prospective students for my university. This should be lots of fun. Prospective students view this as very important. I know that I did. In retrospect though, you know that it's nothing more than a crock of shit process to let the school know that you are Very Interested in them, interested enough to make this effort. I plan on lots of mind games ("Oh, I can only interview you if you can show up in 10 minutes at this sushi bar.
If not, tough luck. ") and just... well, mind games. As with everything, there is a list of "tips" that interviewers should follow. They are sometimes really amusing. Examples of these tips include: What sets the Alumni Schools Committees apart from other groups like it: *The heartfelt compassion we convey when we express our own disappointment to the candidate upon denied admission. I feel like the last person he will want to talk to is me, if he even remembers me.
I would just be rubbing it in his face, neener neener. * The joy we share with each applicant when we call to congratulate him/her upon acceptance. I never got one of these calls! Maybe I was right, my acceptance here was an accident.. Meeting with students in public places: Many alumni meet with applicants in coffee shops, which tend to be mutually acceptable. Avoid meeting with students in unusual places, like a bus terminal (no matter how public that may seem, it still worries parents), or any place that could be construed as a bar (remember that the applicants are all underage). Bus terminals - sort of gives the impression that you think they're no better than a transient runaway.
And I do my best work in bars! Plus, a little alcohol helps to smooth things over. Like they've never had a drink. Not that I condone underage drinking. But a glass of wine, at least! If they haven't, I don't want to be interviewing them.
They won't fit in. Except with the tech house and applied math people. Start out the interview with easy questions about their high school and their extracurricular activities. Do not ask them about their class rank, SAT scores, or GPAs, as these questions often make the students uneasy and give the wrong impression about the university. Also, do not discuss the candidate's chances of admission or criticize other colleges. Haha, but I want to know that they can perform well under pressure.
Besides, no more stupid people at this school. We already have enough of them. And I badmouth other colleges like it's my job, because I obviously went to the best one. Obviously. They should know that ahead of time. Explain to the applicants that the interview is not a deciding factor in their application; there is very little they might do or say that would guarantee a denial.
But that takes away my power! Don't feel you have to give every student a "We want you" message; given the 16% admission rate, this may unfairly raise expectations. But... Now we're talking. We'll just ignore that "but..." If I don't like the person I'm interviewing, and/or think that he is too ugly to attend my school, can I somehow let him know this? Do convey respect for each student, along with the message that the University is a great place with a lot to offer. This applies even to students who may not particularly impress you, as sometimes the talents or qualities for which the Admission Office may admit a student may not be evident during the interview.
Dammit. It's like they read my mind, and are already scolding me. Because we, as alumni, represent the university community, our views can be misinterpreted as those of the university. The interview should not be used to test, challenge, persuade, dissuade, debate, confront, corner, or show up the applicant. This obviously applies to sensitive topics such as race, sexuality, religion, and politics, which people often take very personally. If the interviewee can't take it, he does not belong here.
Hello, we are the France of universities, in that we strike/protest every little thing we can. Just for fun. He needs to be ready to take heat. Handling concerned parents: Occasionally a parent may call you after an interview, worried about how the meeting went. Generally these parents just need someone to listen to them. Keep in mind that they are strongly motivated to help their children get into a good school, and you have just become their main contact with the university.
Woo! More power for me! Mind games with the parents, least of which being the fact I have become their child's sole link to his getting into my school. Mwahaha. There is also all sorts of fun information about how if my interviews go well and the kids are accepted, that I will be noted as a great interviewer and will become a prime interviewer since I'll be able to sniff out talent, or as they put it: "Once you become established in your community as "The representative," you will probably no longer need to seek out those names; rather, people will refer top prospects to you. " I do like the idea of being THE representative for the area, wielding all THE power, making or breaking these young adolescents' futures.
I would have kicked ass on The Apprentice . No doubt about it. 
