Interviewing Applicants
For applicants to Vassar, interviews are optional and are conducted by Vassar alumni around the world. The interview is a conversation that is more informative than it is evaluative. This is an ideal way for students to learn about Vassar from a different perspective, especially since you are encouraged to share what you have done with your Vassar degree. It is also a good way for the Office of Admission to get information about a student's level of interest in Vassar.
Setting up the Interview
From October to late February, the Office of Admission will send interview requests to your AAP chairman who will then assign students to you. Please contact the applicants assigned to you as soon as you receive their contact information.
Select a few dates and times when you are available to conduct the interview. We recommend a comfortable, convenient, public place for a face-to-face interview, but you are welcome to do a phone interview if necessary.
If you cannot reach the applicant or if the applicant declines the interview, please check the appropriate box on interview report form.
Conducting the Interview
The alumni interview is a conversation where we hope you will share information about your Vassar major, your job, volunteer commitments, or other interests. Some suggested interview topics include:
Submitting Your Interview Report
Submit your interview report online or email it to vcaap@vassar.edu.
A note about interview reports: Your interview reports become part of the candidate’s file. However, because alumni interviewers do not (for confidentiality reasons) receive additional information on the candidate (e.g., academic transcripts, standardized test scores), the purpose of the interview is not to determine whether or not the applicant is academically prepared for Vassar, but to learn more about the student’s interest in Vassar. It is also difficult, because of the extremely high volume of highly qualified applicants, for an interviewer to assess where any one student falls on the overall scale of candidates. The value of the interview report submitted for the candidate’s file is to provide the Admissions Office with information that will help determine whether or not the student is a good match for Vassar. Any information on an applicant’s qualities that might raise a concern in the mind of the interviewer are helpful to the admissions officer reading that file.
Alumni Interviews Make a Difference
The Office of Admission has found that alumni interviews have a positive impact on applicants. Here’s a sample of what students have told us:
“My favorite part of the entire admission process was the interview. [It] was quite enjoyable, and I felt as if [the interviewer] was an old friend. The whole thing was about an hour long, but I could have talked with her for at least an hour more. In comparison with other interviews I had, Vassar’s interview was the best experience. Following the interview, I wanted to go to Vassar. I even received a congratulatory email after I was admitted.”
“The campus visit was what made me choose Vassar, plus the alumni interview. [The interviewer] was honestly excited about your school and seemed to actually want me to attend; it was a great feeling.”
