PLEASE HELP!!—Does anyone have any tips for an outstanding interview? How best to calm nerves? Or what should be worn?

Answered

I have not applied to Duke but I have had several interviews and they haven't been as nerve-racking as I expected. Be prepared to answer questions about your activities, how you spend your free time, and what you are passionate about. Also, in all of my interviews, I have been able to ask questions of the interviewer, so it would probably be good to think of some questions you want to ask. Finally, try to think of this as an opportunity to get some questions answered about Duke and show your love for the school. They really do just want to get a better understanding of who you are and why you want to go to that school. Good luck! (Also, as far as what to wear, it is probably a good idea to err on the side of formal, at least from the waist up.)

I was accepted ED this year so I can tell you what I did. As far as how you should dress I don't think it matters much but I wore a button down shirt so there's no need to be formal but I personally wouldn't wear just a t-shirt. The interview was really more of a friendly conversation from my experience and they really only asked simple questions of me. They asked about one of my academic interests, why Duke, and the EC I was most proud of but conversation would veer off from those topics over the course of the interview. Don't worry too much about having a lot to say. As long as you're genuinely interested and passionate about what you do you shouldn't have an issue with making good conversation. I would come with a question but what you ask is down to what you wish to know (I asked about career support and study abroad). I don't really have a tip for nerves because I was literally sweating before mine but as soon as you get into conversation they go away but just make sure you have a positive attitude about it all. The interview isn't an important component of the application so don't put too much pressure on yourself to do well, it will only make you more stressed which makes the interview unenjoyable which it should be. Let me know if you have any other questions.

I would echo pretty much everything that's been stated already in this thread.

My only additional contribution is that while you should be relaxed, natural, and realize in the grand scheme of things, alumni interviews really count for very little in your college applications, be risk-averse in your approach to your interviews. Avoid controversial topics, bold claims, oversharing, etc etc.

Your alumni interviews will function in a very similar manner to your letters of recommendation: letters of recommendation are almost always positive, so most letters of recommendation (vis a vis other applicants) don't really give you a step up all that often. However, if you have a negative letter of recommendation, that's a significant red flag for an admissions committee. Similarly, alumni interviewers typically come away with positive impressions of the students that they talk to, so avoid giving them any reason to dislike you!

In terms of lasting 30-40 minutes, don't worry! How long an interview lasts is really more up to the skill of the interviewer, not the interviewee, and since your interviewer will have done this before, they'll know how to steer the conversation to be able to learn about you. Don't feel pressure to fill up time or talk when you've run out of things to say. Just give them a road map of certain topics in response to questions so that they can ask you follow up questions if they are curious about certain things! And 30-40 minutes is not a hard rule, either. Some alumni interviewers have their own styles, and I know plenty of students that have had 15-20 minute alumni interviews that went just fine.