Jorge Miranda '01 just met with someone working to cure a disease. But the meeting was not with a professor or even a Biology major -- it was just one of what Miranda deems an amazing group of applicants for Dartmouth's Class of 2005.
As one of the six senior interviewers this summer, Miranda spends his days interviewing applicants and working on other projects in the admissions office.
Along with conducting up to four interviews a day, the senior interviewers also help host the twice-daily group information sessions, work at the reception desk and carry out individual projects, such as updating admissions literature.
But by far, the best part of the job is the actual interviews, according to Miranda. After a week of intensive training -- observing interviews, learning about the admissions process and practicing interviews -- the six senior interviewers began their work.
"It's really an informal interview ... the point is to try to get to know them personally, find out what won't be on the application," Miranda said.
According to Miranda, there are some applicants who look incredible on paper, but after meeting them, the interviewer realizes the student has never done anything he's cared about, while there are also accomplished applicants who remain modest about their achievements in their written applications.
Depending on the candidate, the interview affects the applicant's chances in different ways. "In general, it can only help you," Miranda said.
Talking with many amazing applicants and seeing how passionate they are about their education is the best part of interviewing for Miranda. The average applicant is quite qualified, according to Miranda.
"Interviewing the top kids at all schools is really a flattering position to be in," Miranda said.
The interviewers look "to see that there's a love of learning, that they are involved in things," according to Candice Adams '01, another senior interviewer. They ask the applicant about his classes and favorite subject, Adams said. Yet "Each interview varies," and the interview "changes depending on the person," Adams said.
The interviewees have many questions themselves, most often about the student body, student-faculty relations, what the campus is like and "how things are being that we're in New Hampshire," Miranda said. They also ask about the D-plan, off-campus opportunities and social life at Dartmouth, Adams said.
Miranda says that after the interview many students mail him thank-you cards or send him e-mails, one of the nice perks of the job.
The summer is a very popular time for students to visit, according to Beth Onofry '02, one of the Tour Coordinators.
Many of those visiting are from New England, but according to tour guide Anne Delaney '02, the groups are still very diverse. Seeing prospectives from as far away as Oklahoma and Washington state.
On the tours "those going into senior year really have very detailed questions about classes and majors, dining and residential life," according to tour guide Nicole Leiser '02.
"Most are pretty excited to be here, excited about visiting colleges" and enjoy the pleasant weather and all the campus activity at Dartmouth, Leiser said.
Questions about social life and the "Animal House" stereotype, the D-plan and other opportunities specific to Dartmouth often dot tours, according to Onofry. "A lot of times the main questions are why you chose to come here -- that helps them a lot," Onofry said.
But according to Onofry, the Admissions Office expects even more hubbub come August, when tours will be led four times daily, as many more perspective '05s flock to campus.
