I recently went through the application process for the part-time programs at 2 ultra-elite schools and got admitted into one of them. I want to share an important aspect of the interview that I wasn’t aware until I submitted my applications and got waitlisted by one of the schools.

My interview at one school went very well but I felt that the interview at the other school didn’t go that well, primarily because of the mismatch of the personalities. The interviewer was a recent grad. I always feared such a situation because many students/recent grads might not have had experience with interviewing others, and might not have the maturity to deal with different personalities. Anyhow, I got waitlisted at the later school. So I reviewed my whole application to identify the weaknesses, and interview topped my list. So I called the adcom and subtly conveyed my concern. Adcom immediately responded back with another interview opportunity, with the adcom this time. The first thing they told me was that most of the applicants in situations like mine don’t come forward, and adcom likes it when applicants come forward proactively and express their concern. Ofcourse, applicants should have valid concerns though. This is also a way of showing adcom your interest in the school.

So if you think that the interview didn’t give you an opportunity to pitch your candidacy, feel free to contact adcom to find ways to convey the message. You don’t need to be waitlisted to do it; sometimes it would be too late. Although I applied to the part-time programs, I believe the same suggestion goes to all programs. Be aggressive.. schools like it!

I think this is a great piece of information and this is why I would prefer to be interviewed by an adcom as I would think they would come with the most objective view point.

It never hurts to be aggressive, Sounds like you were truly sincere and I could see that playing extremely favorable in the adcom's eyes. Good job!
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Death is not the greatest loss in life. The greatest loss is what dies inside us while we live.
- Norman Cousins