<p>How much weight do these interviews truly have? If it's negative can it be detrimental? I just had my interview, and I don't think I initially made a good impression since this is our second shot at meeting due to the first miscommunication. But she seemed like she didn't want to be there talking to me and sort of cut things off after about 15 minutes. I don't think we connected too well. What have your experiences been with such interviews?</p>
<p>I'm wondering just the opposite and maybe you could answer our question at the same time? My son doesn't quite have the "stats" for Tufts but loves everything he hears about it and is trying RD. </p>
<p>His interview went quite well and he was actually interviewed by someone who went to his same high school and so things kind of clicked. It had actually been the second time he met her...the first was at a general question/answer session a couple of months earlier.</p>
<p>My son is wondering if his interview could help him over the hump? </p>
<p>BTW, my son had a horrible interview by someone from a different school. So our question too is, just how much weight do these interviews have?</p>
<p>It can tip the scale either way . Last year I had one student I loved that did not get in and it was disappointing but most of the ones I raved about did. Could just be coincidence. I had one interviewer tell my D their school wanted to make sure they were not just getting nerds with great scores and no personality or social skills. Duke told my son they just wanted to make sure they didn't get axe murderers. Each school is different.</p>
<p>Thank you, I guess we will see come decision time.</p>
<p>I think that interviews can have almost no bearing on the admissions decision or a lot of bearing - depending on what situation you are in. If you and 100 other people are borderline and competiting for two spots, you can bet they'll try to find any meaningful way to differnetiate you all. If you're a solid admit, the interview won't matter so long as the interviewer doesn't say really horrible things about you - even then, they'll look to the recommendations to supplement that. </p>
<p>I think that the ways an interview would matter most are when it really shows that the student is interested or if they discuss some great part of their background that Tufts would search out (such as time in a foreign country, if your parents never graduated high school, if a foreign language is primarily spoken at home, etc). </p>
<p>A lot of the importance of an interview if for you (yes, you!) to get to meet a real, live alum and get some contact with the school. If you can't afford to visit, if you have questions that the website and the tour won't answer, and if you want to know what Tufts grads are like, the interview can be a great experience. </p>
<p>For Mominin: your son is best off (or would have been) writing a killer "Why Tufts" essay and a great cover letter.</p>
<p>Maybe I'm not remembering correctly? But I don't think son was asked to write a cover letter or "why Tufts" essay. He submitted the common app with supplement, perhaps I'm just not remembering what he did??? We should have checked before now because I 've seen others talk about the "why Tufts" essay.</p>
<p>Thanks for the info on the interview process.</p>
<p>I just had the most amazing interview. At the end, the interviewer said "I like you so much, that if this was a business interview, you would have been hired by now." And this guy is a big shot on wall st.!</p>
<p>The "Why Tufts" letter is for ED only, I think.</p>
<p>But it would be a good idea to send a cover letter with the app that talks about some of the same ideas. Not necessary, but still a good idea.</p>
<p>I think that the "Why Tufts" essay is only early decision. Cover letters are not required. However, as a CC-er of almost two years, I have heard the cover letter lecture so often I could give it in my sleep. ;) Seriously... I could. Cover letters are great ways to demonstrate interest, summarize and present the application, and mention any relevant details (such as campus visits, friends who go there - anything that shows why you are applying).</p>