<p>esp. for a lost cause like me :D</p>
<p>depends on how much of a lost cause you are. For the schools that practice "holistic" admissions, they can only confirm other attributes in the app. They can't shore up your transcript or boost your scores or better your essays and recs.</p>
<p>I think the best way they can assist is to potentially convey useful information to the file readers e.g. oldest sibling of 4, single parent household, works 15 hrs a week, 1st generation collegian. These items may not be present in the other areas of your application. They could weigh favorably for you</p>
<p>It really depends on the schools. Many schools don't require interviews, but some schools do put stock into how much interest you show in the school.</p>
<p>I highly recommend them. I got into all the schools I did interviews with (ok granted, they were the less competetive schools) and I think that made a huge difference. I can't speak for the Ivies, or super competetive tier ones, but to show that you're articulate, intelligent, aware, and have personality is a big bonus to what can be a fairly dry application...especially if your grades or test scores aren't good. If you show a genuine enthusiasm for what you want to study, and how that specific college compliments your interests, thats also a plus. If you can, it's definately worth it. Put a face to a file.</p>
<p>If you have an incredible interview (3 hours long, connect with the interviewer) then it can definitely push you over the edge.</p>
<p>And average interview won't hurt you.</p>
<p>But a bad interview (late, have a breakdown, discuss inappropriate topics) can definitely hurt you.</p>
<p>I agree with k123l, it won't hurt to have them.</p>
<p>Ditto to comments about how interviews vary depending on which schools you're applying to. However, interviews don't just help the admissions office. They're suppose to help you also if you have any additional questions. When I had my interviews, I was more worried about not asking the right questions since I've never visited any of the colleges I visited. It was my chance to ask a recent alumni how the campus and school in general was like.</p>
<p>Ditto to everything said before, but to reiterate: yea, definitely do the interviews; as long as you don't have a dreadful interview it really shouldn't hurt your chances. If anything, the interview is there more for your benefit - you get to learn about the college atmosphere (hopefully it will be a recent alumni) which proved to be especially benefitial, personally, since one interview pretty much caused me to decline, and a strong interview can surely give you an edge, so yeah, definitely take any interview you can and just enjoy them.</p>