Wanted to know if any international applications (not US citizens) have got interviews for MIT. I think these interviews tend to be merit based, but the deadline for finishing interviews is before 20th October before we actually submit anything, so how do they make such a judgement? This is the first year international applicants can apply early so there really is no precedence.
Yes, international applicants are getting interviews. No, international interviews are not merit based. That being said I believe that there are slightly different rules for applicants from China and India.