Alumni Recruiting Network

Interviewing

Interviews are not required at Oberlin. We consider interviews to be a conversation. They are a chance for us to become better acquainted with a student and they are an opportunity for the student to ask questions about Oberlin. They are an informal exchange of information – we do not use interviews to eliminate students from consideration.

Most students who interview with an alumni representative never have face-to-face contact with an admissions counselor. These interviews give students a chance to make a personal connection with a representative of the college, which can be important when it is time for the students to decide where to enroll.

Interviews will happen in a few ways.

  1. Starting in early September, students ask for a face-to-face interview with an alumni volunteer near them. If this is possible, we send the student’s contact information to a volunteer.
  2. Some students will sign up for a Skype or telephone interview.
  3. In the fall, we have alumni interview days in 8 major metropolitan areas: Boston, New York City, Washington DC, Chicago, Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. Students sign up for a specific time in advance and then go to one location – typically a high school – for their interview. At these events, an admissions counselor is typically present to answer questions.

When you are asked to conduct an interview, we will also share a Handbook for Interviewing Prospective Students.  It will provide you with useful information such as possible interview questions, the interview ratings guidelines, and an explanation of the role of the interview in the admissions process.  If you have questions about anything, please don't hesitate to ask.

When you are done with the interview, please complete the online write-up form that was linked to in the original email you received about the interview. Your comments will be added directly into the student’s file for us to review as we read their application.

If you have any questions at all, please do not hesitate to contact Josh Levy, ARN Director, or Jennifer Harris, ARN Administrative Assistant, toll free at (800) 622-6243  or via email at arn@oberlin.edu .