<p>I finished my interview at Exeter this week and it went well...Finished my other interviews also. Exeter interviewer commented that I am well rounded and invited me to send her additional information on my ECs which she found to be unique and I sent her. She seemed to imply that I am NOT one more boring academically talented "Asian" Kid. </p>
<p>I talked to other kids who went to interviews and they all are happy with their interview. So I am not sure if I should feel encouraged or not..</p>
<p>I wonder how much value does the interview have. Also I heard there is a committee that reads your application and then add up the scores of committee members for each applicant and then they make the decision. Can an interviewer tip the admission decision in one applicant's favor?</p>
<p>What are your experiences? Please share.</p>
<p>A</p>
<p>I’m not exactly sure too. My interview for Exeter was bad compared to other schools yet I got accepted to Exeter but not any of the other ones. I guess that what it boils down to is showing your passion about the school, your grades, ssat/isee, and especially essays.</p>
<p>Trumpetjean… Thanks for your reply… I am sure you are enjoying your experience at Exeter…</p>
<p>Lot of people mentioned that essays are very important… They could tilt your chances either way … I turned in generally good essays except for one school that is my favorite… Ended up rushing…</p>
<p>All of this is great learning curve for the college…</p>
<p>I am responding as a parent who has sent two children to BS.</p>
<p>No single part of the application is the deciding factor. Some schools may put more emphasis on the essays, or the interview, but they’re not letting us in on it.</p>
<p>Most (maybe all?) schools choose who to admit by committee. Not necessarily using a point system, but something along those lines. Several people read all the parts of your application and together they decide whether to admit you or not. Obviously the interviewer is the only one who has met you in person and I believe that sometimes they may lobby for (or against) an applicant. Who knows how much weight their viewpoint carries?</p>
<p>A warning: it is very common here on cc for people to say how encouraging their interviewer was or how the interviewer made them feel that they would be admitted. Please, please, please, take comments and impressions from your interviewer with a grain of salt. Not that the interviewer is lying or even exaggerating, but it’s their job to encourage good applicants. They want you to complete your application. They want you to feel welcome at the school.</p>
<p>The interviewer has probably not seen your test scores, essays, or recommendations at the time of your interview. They are probably unaware of any financial need you may have. So just take what they say with a grain of salt. It’s GREAT if they seem to really like you and are very encouraging, but all it really means is that you aced that part of the process.</p>
<p>Thank you alooknac. Your comments are very valid.</p>
<p>I hope to make it in… My SSAT score, Recs, Grades, interview are very good, Essays and ECs are good, Sports - just OK, not great. </p>
<p>But I am getting mentally ready even if I don’t… I am at a decent public school, very competitive environment, I like that… I should be fine even if I don’t…</p>
<p>Alooknac…I’m glad to find a parent from the west who sent kids to BS. The process is all over the place and not very uniform. Most kids seem to have excellent grades, extrac. activities, good recs, etc. Everyone sounds good. Everyone sounds competitive. What were your kids numbers like and where do they go?</p>