TROUBLESHOOTING the Alumni Interview
Here are a few troubleshooting tips for our alumni interview process. If you have additional questions, please feel free to post in the comments and we’ll get you an answer shortly!
“I’ve begun the VU Common App (or VU Supplement) and I have yet to receive an interview notification. How do I sign up?”
You will receive an email within a week after submitting the VU Common App or VU Supplement. We send out these emails on a rolling basis; you may not receive it the day you submit the forms, but you should receive it within 5 business days.
“I’ve submitted the VU Common App (or VU Supplement) and I have yet to receive an interview notification. How do I sign up?”
First, check your junk mail or trashed mail. Perhaps your email thinks Vanderbilt.edu items are spam. If so, add Vanderbilt.edu to your approved senders list!
If you submitted the VU Common App or Supplement over 5 business days ago and have yet to receive an interview notification contact Dustin Lynn (dustin.lynn@vanderbilt.edu). Dustin is the admissions counselor in our office who oversees the Commodore Recruitment Program (including alumni interviews).
“The interview link isn’t working.” (or other technical issues)
Try to open the link in a different browser or on a different computer. For many students it’s simply an issue of outdated software or plug ins.
If that doesn’t work, contact Dustin Lynn (dustin.lynn@vanderbilt.edu). Dustin is the admissions counselor in our office who oversees the Commodore Recruitment Program (including alumni interviews).
“I’m worried I won’t have time to interview before the deadline!”
We understand that you are busy and may not submit materials until the end of the application cycle. As such, you may not have time to request, schedule, and participate in an interview prior to the deadlines. That’s OKAY! Alumni interviews are optional portions of our application process, and while they may be evaluative, they are mostly excellent information gathering opportunities for you. Vanderbilt does not consider demonstrated interest in the process and will not penalize you for not participating. Last year, approximately 20 percent of our applicants participated in an interview.
Here is a reminder of the deadlines:
Early Decision I
- request interview by November 6, 2010
Early Decision II
- request interview by January 8, 2011
Regular Decision
- request interview by January 15, 2011
“I’ve submitted a request to an alumnus, but I haven’t heard anything back.”
Give your alumnus time to respond (5 business days). These are volunteers who are often busy with career and family and may not respond as quickly as your admissions officer.
If you still haven’t received a response after 5 business days, there are two steps to take: first, contact Dustin Lynn (dustin.lynn@vanderbilt.edu) so he can address the nonresponsive behavior with the alumnus. When you email Dustin include the name of the alumnus you contacted and how long it’s been since you sent your first request. Secondly, contact a different alumnus on the list. Some areas are rich with alumni interviewers and you’ll be able to find another individual easily. We understand that certain geographical areas have few alumni volunteers and you may not be able to obtain an interview. Once again I want to reiterate that there is no penalty if you are unable to participate in an alumni interview.
Additional questions? Post here. I’ll get you a response ASAP.
