Interview w/parents

[IcanSEEanOD]

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[pippistrellodaq]

I think plenty of people bring their parents. About half of the applicants during my three interviews had one or more parents with them. I think that it really depends on the school, for example, there was really nothing for the guests to do at OSU, but at IU the parents got to eat on a separate table with the admissions chairman. It's really up to you (or maybe I should say the parents because they always have the final say in everything, right!?!)

 

[rocky7]

I was contemplating the same thing. When I asked my professors about it, they said that if my parents decided to come along, I would have to make sure that I was the one who spoke up and asked questions, not my parents. There advice was that I shouldn’t bring my parents because the schools like to see you be independent. But again, it’s really up to you. When I went to my interview one person brought her Mom, and I didn’t see a problem with it because this girl took charge🙂 Good luck with your decision and your interview🙂

 

[sethuel1]

interviewees at ICO often bring their parents. Just make sure your parents have something to do during your interviews and such, because the only part they'll really get to see is the campus tour.

 

[Eye-Spy]

I brought my mom with me when I interviewed at ICO, and all worked out fine. There were three other interviewees there that day, and they all brought one or both parents. The parents wern't involved at all in the actual file review/interview part, but they got to come along for the tour and listen to the financial aid presentation.
I don't think bringing parents would make you an inferior interview candidate, I would just find out what the interview day is like at the school that you are interviewing at, and make sure that parents are allowed/welcome.

 

[odforme]

LOL...Same thing happened to me except I'm 34 years old!!! I think my mom just wants to go to Chicago for the weekend. I haven't decided if she's coming to the interview but I don't really see the harm in it.

 

[baylormed]

I'm a pre-allo MS-0, but this thread caught my attention when I was scrolling down the page...and the general consensus, as we are all adults applying to professional school, is that parents at the actual interview are a BIG NO-NO.

Take them to town if you want, but it's very immature and unprofessional to bring your parents to your interview. (I didn't see a single one during my interviews, and trust me, if there had been one, it would have looked extremely funny).

 

[1OD2B]

Its an eight hour drive for me, so my father and girlfriend are going along. Has anyone taken visitors with them to PCO? Would they have anything to do during the interview? I'll probably just let them run around while I'm there, but I would like them to take the tour.

Thanks in advance.

 

[4Eyes]

It really does sound like it depends on the school. But here's my experience:

My dad took me to St. Louis and dropped me off at the school, but he took off after that. I wanted him to go elsewhere because I wanted to come off as independent. My dad was fine with that, and he was interested in exploring the surrounding area anyway.

I interviewed the day before Thanksgiving, so I was the only one interviewing that day. At the end, when I mentioned something about finding my dad, the faculty member I had been speaking with was like, "Oh, he could have come along for pizza and the tour," "I like to meet the parents!" ...comments to that effect. I said something about not knowing if it was a good idea for him to come along or not, and he said it wasn't a big deal. It's really fine either way.

As far as my classmates...some brought their parents, some brought their spouses, others went alone. When I see students on interview day, I see TONS of parents.

So, summary. Lots of parents go. They get to see the tour and meet a couple of faculty members. Then they sit around and wait while you go in for the interview alone. It comes down to personal choice. If you don't mind your parents going, I think it's fine to let them go. It wasn't bad to tell them you have an interview. They're proud of you and they care. However, if you think they will just make you more nervous, explain that you might be more nervous and you want to be sure you are seen as independent.

 

[hutch]

If you question it, ask the school if guests are encouraged. I never had to ask this question because IU told me that guests were encouraged. When I told them I didn't know if I was bringing anyone, they said that they really recommend having someone with you.

 

[DrSpontaneouz83]

I just had an interview 2 weeks ago at PCO and I brought along my 2 sisters and my best friend (my sisters BF). It was not a big deal at all, the faculty and staff were really nice and made jokes with my guests about bringing more guests next time to help pay my tuition. My guests were very interested in the tour and also got free lunch. The other interviewers had parents and some were alone. However, it got REALLY borring for them during my preliminary interview and exit interview. Just make sure your guests don't have A.D.D. haha But I definitely wanted feedback from people I am close to in helping to make this decision as well..I mean..it's going to be a long 4 crazy years dedication whererver you decide to go. I have an interview coming up in about 2 weeks at ICO but I will be traveling solo =(

 

[iowaeyes]

I have interviewed at SCO and IU and my fiancee came with me to both interviews. I definitely wanted someone else's opinion to help me compare the schools. Both schools were very welcoming toward guests, in fact nearly everyone had one parent or a boyfriend/girlfriend/fiancee/spouse with them. I could understand why some might not want to bring a parent with you, but as long as you give them the heads up ahead of time that you would prefer to ask the majority of questions, you should seem independent. Its a big decision so I think its one that you need all the help you can with!

 

[prettygreeneyes]

Take them to town if you want, but it's very immature and unprofessional to bring your parents to your interview. (I didn't see a single one during my interviews, and trust me, if there had been one, it would have looked extremely funny).

I think that "very immature and unprofessional" is a pretty strong statement in this situation. Should a 40 year old be bringing his mom, AND having her ask all the questions... uhhh... no. That would be creepy. But, can a 22 year old person bring their parents along to take a look at the school, and stand silently by taking everything in. Sure... if they want to. If it was so "very immature and unprofessional"... no one who brought their parents would get in. At the Interview Day I attended, 3 people brought one or both parents. Big surprise... all 3 are in my class this year. And they are neither "very immature" or "unprofessional". And no, before anyone claims that I must be a daddy's girl or something... I did not bring my parents along. I brought my husband instead.😛

 

[jMoo]

i interviewed at PCO yesterday and brought my bf along for the weekend, but he didnt participate in the interview. there was a nice warm cafeteria where he just studied at, which worked out for both of us. theres nothing much around that area tho. good luck.

 

[baylormed]

I think that "very immature and unprofessional" is a pretty strong statement in this situation. Should a 40 year old be bringing his mom, AND having her ask all the questions... uhhh... no. That would be creepy. But, can a 22 year old person bring their parents along to take a look at the school, and stand silently by taking everything in. Sure... if they want to. If it was so "very immature and unprofessional"... no one who brought their parents would get in. At the Interview Day I attended, 3 people brought one or both parents. Big surprise... all 3 are in my class this year. And they are neither "very immature" or "unprofessional". And no, before anyone claims that I must be a daddy's girl or something... I did not bring my parents along. I brought my husband instead.😛

Maybe med school interviews are different from optometry school interviews. I was basing my opinion on what I saw during my interviews awhat people advised for med school interviews. Everyone said parents would be a big no-no.

I guess it's alright for you guys, since many people seem to do it.

Good luck on your interviews. 😍

 

[UABopt]

Maybe med school interviews are different from optometry school interviews. I was basing my opinion on what I saw during my interviews awhat people advised for med school interviews. Everyone said parents would be a big no-no.

I guess it's alright for you guys, since many people seem to do it.

Good luck on your interviews. 😍

It is strange that you guys are talking about this now seeing as just a few weeks back I gave a tour to some interviewees and one of them had a parent with them. Really, to be quite frank it was not a problem, but it struck me as quite odd. It certainly does not present a picture of independence to me. If you want to have parents look at the schools that's what open house is for. Plus, this parent asked me far more questions that the perspective student. Tour guides at UAB play no role in the admission process other than to give the tours. Since the parents won't be in the room during the actual interview, I am sure that the fact that they were there for lunch and the tour is not going to play to big a part in the admissions process. The way I look at it is I would not bring my mom to a job interview, so I certainly would not bring her with me to an interview that might decide what I do for the rest of my life. Maybe its just me.

 

[baylormed]

It is strange that you guys are talking about this now seeing as just a few weeks back I gave a tour to some interviewees and one of them had a parent with them. Really, to be quite frank it was not a problem, but it struck me as quite odd. It certainly does not present a picture of independence to me. If you want to have parents look at the schools that's what open house is for. Plus, this parent asked me far more questions that the perspective student. Tour guides at UAB play no role in the admission process other than to give the tours. Since the parents won't be in the room during the actual interview, I am sure that the fact that they were there for lunch and the tour is not going to play to big a part in the admissions process. The way I look at it is I would not bring my mom to a job interview, so I certainly would not bring her with me to an interview that might decide what I do for the rest of my life. Maybe its just me.

It's not just you 🙂 .

That was my original point but I got grilled after I made it. I like to assume we are all adults, and if you wouldn't bring your parents to a job interview, you certainly shouldn't bring them to a professional school interview.

 

[BeatrixKiddo]

I want to bring my mommy.

 

[BeatrixKiddo]

wait, this is for optometry. nevermind. must be different.

 

[odforme]

See the difference here is that parents, spouses, guests are encouraged to come. Schools understand that it is a big decision and that the interview process is an opportunity for them to sell you (the interviewee) on their school. Families often play a big role in people's decisions and a few extra opinions never hurts. It has no bearing on whether you are "independant" or not. Obviously if the school doesn't invite guests then don't bring them. Parents aren't invited to job interviews so that argument isn't relevant here.
Good luck everyone! 🙂

 

[prettygreeneyes]

It's not just you 🙂 .

That was my original point but I got grilled after I made it. I like to assume we are all adults, and if you wouldn't bring your parents to a job interview, you certainly shouldn't bring them to a professional school interview.

As the "griller" in question, I should clarify that I was responding only to your "very unprofessional and immature" remarks. I just don't feel that a blanket statement like that is warranted (ie while it could apply to some people, it doesn't apply to every person who brings their parent(s) along). However, as I mentioned in my first post, if the parent is asking more questions and taking a more active role than the applicant... there is a HUGE problem. Bringing your parents along doesn't scream independence, but if that is your biggest "faux pax" of the day... you're doing OK.

I think my initial post came out as a bit... bitchy, and for that I apologize. Don't really know why either... I shouldn't have strong feelings because I didn't bring my parents, and don't care if anyone else does. Sorry! By the way, congrats on your recent acceptance. 😍