<p>I realize they aren't weighted very highly but when i had the interview for one of my schools, the interviewer was furiously taking notes the whole time. He wrote about 3-4 pages worth of notes about me. I realize this inst the same for every school, but in general how does this factor in to the decision.</p>
<p>Depends on the school - some schools do put serious weight on interviews.</p>
<p>“some schools do put serious weight on interviews.”</p>
<p>Besides Oxford and Cambridge, which ones? Some colleges that care about demonstrated interest may use them as a tool to gauge the student’s interest level – but this isn’t many, AFAIK. </p>
<p>Some anecdotal info about MIT, too.</p>
<p>@sloth: I think it was just a quirk w/your interviewer. I would imagine that’s how he/she operates at a work meeting as well – some people just like taking notes. I take the barest minimum of notes. </p>
<p>3-4 pages? My entire write up is 3-4 paragraphs — that person is very different than me.</p>
<p>^^ I agree. I know a kid who got interviewed for a top Ivy and at the end the interviewer told the kid that she did not think the kid would fit and understand the school and the school would not understand him. the student is a quiet, very proper person and there is nothing that would indicate that. How the interviewer thinks she could discern that in 1 hour is bizarre, especially considering no other interviewer said anything of the sort.</p>
<p>The student was told by others not to worry because the application will tell more about fit than the interview. The interview is to see if you are “a nut” or socially unacceptable etc. . If you are not a nut or over the top arrogant or ignorant, then I would think the actual submitted application and recommendations of people who know you well have tons more weight than an hour interview by a stranger. </p>
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<p>At both Hamilton College and Connecticut College, the interview is considered “important” in making admissions decisions, and depending on which school, is a bigger factor in the process than standardized test scores, legacy status, level of interest, talent/abilty, and racial/ethnic status.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t be surprised if other schools also give serious weight to interviews, but these two schools are two of only a dozen or so that I have taken a close look at lately. As far as overall numbers, I don’t know. I didn’t say “many,” I said “some.”</p>
<p>Some schools don’t do interviews at all. Some only conduct interviews with alumni. Some conduct interviews with admissions counselors. Some schools will tell you, even if you’re interviewing with an actual school employee, that the interview is informational only. Other schools “highly recommend” personal interviews (Providence College is one). Generally speaking, the most selective schools don’t place a lot of weight on interviews - if they even offer them. These schools also aren’t concerned with demonstrated interest. The least selective schools don’t care much either. It’s the schools in the middle that are most likely to care about campus visits and interviews - they want to know a student is genuinely interested, rather than just looking at them as a safety. </p>
<p>Your interviewer taking pages of notes may have meant lots of information got back to the school, or it may just have been that person’s style and not really mattered at all.</p>
<p>I know at William & Mary the interview plays a role in the admissions cycle (if you choose to interview). If you are a borderline applicant, a great interview can push you in.</p>
<p>University of Rochester encourages interviews. From an admissions FAQ:
How much do interviews count?
Interviews can certainly help your chances of being offered admission. If you wish to compete for scholarships, you should definitely interview.
<a href=“http://enrollment.rochester.edu/apply/freshmen/#tab3”>http://enrollment.rochester.edu/apply/freshmen/#tab3</a></p>