<p>I'm an okay kid (qualified) but I think I'm a horrible interviewer... so are interviews required? How much of a hit will I take if I don't?</p>
<p>interviews are not required, but recommended. There are some stats out there that MIT published.. I want to say it's like 17% of people we took interviews got in, while only 11% of people who didn't take interviews got in. I'm sure someone will correct those numbers for me.</p>
<p>As far as being a horrible interviewer. Here's a good place to start: <a href="http://web.mit.edu/career/www/guide/interviews.html%5B/url%5D">http://web.mit.edu/career/www/guide/interviews.html</a></p>
<p>good luck!</p>
<p>EDIT: I'm pretty bad at interviews too, but I think mine went pretty well. You have nothing to hide, nothing to be nervous about, just talk :]</p>
<p>See heres the deal though. All students or many take interviews. So that 17 percent PROBABLY will even out with that 11 percent because there are a lot more people in that 17.</p>
<p>19% of students with an interview/interview waived were admitted, vs. 7% of those who chose not to interview.</p>
<p>Gyros, I am not sure what you are saying.</p>
<p>I have given my interview already.. was so much fun anyways....</p>
<p>I think what Gyros is referred to is this:</p>
<p>
[quote]
We urge you to make every effort to have an interview. Why? Because your interview gives us a vivid sense of you as a person and how you would fit at MIT - something the paper application alone can never match. In fact, last year, of eligible applicants, we admitted 19% of those who had an interview (or who had their interview waived), but only 7% of those who chose not to interview.
[/quote]
<p>I'd just keep in mind that MIT is probably full of kids who feel that interviews aren't their strong point.</p>
<p>Sorry.. i did my calculations way off. yes it is a better idea to get one.</p>
<p>You can take the stats in a different direction - a lot of the kids who weren't interviewed probably weren't incredibly serious about/eager to get into MIT so they may have been rejected even with an interview. :-/ Just a thought, though I'm not sure how valid.</p>
<p>However, I'd say to have an interview. My EC, anyway, was incredibly nice and talkative and it wasn't at all awkward like I thought it would be. It's not really a Q/A session, but just a nice chat.</p>
<p>julyinoh, your interview will probably be much better than you'd think. Your ECs aren't your enemies - they want to have a good impression of you. They want you to get in. They know you'll be nervous, so don't worry about seeming crazy. Really, the only way you could mess up an interview is to be a total jerk, which you'd have to actually try to do. :)</p>
<p>They are not required but they are recommended. The interview is good practice for the future. If you are anxious about the interview practice with your parents or parents of your friends. </p>
<p>My DD's first interview last year was the MIT interview. She and the EC spent an hour talking about her background, his background, how MIT had changed over the years, what he did with his degree, etc.... She carried a resume aka brag sheet with her. That helps to drive the interview if things come to a standstill. Remember - this is your opportunity to show a side of yourself that you can not put in writing via the essay questions. The EC understands that you are nervous and I think that they do your best to put your mind at ease. Remember - they were on the other side of the table once as well.</p>
<p>
[quote]
You can take the stats in a different direction - a lot of the kids who weren't interviewed probably weren't incredibly serious about/eager to get into MIT so they may have been rejected even with an interview. :-/ Just a thought, though I'm not sure how valid.
[/quote]
That's my feeling too. I'm not sure that having an interview actually impacts your odds of admission per se, but I think kids who choose not to interview are more likely to not be serious about their applications.</p>
<p>...said as someone who was not serious about her MIT application five years ago, and who chose not to have an interview. :D</p>