<p>Given all things being equal, does an interview make or break a deal? what exactly is the school looking for? Thanks in advance. </p>
<p>This is a constant question. My son-in-law used to interview for Princeton and he really felt like he had very little ability to influence a decision. I think a terrible interview will raise alarm bells but a ‘good’ interview is much less likely to have impact. Interviews are a way that colleges make alumni feel valued. Furthermore, many are conducted by college students. It strains belief that the impressions of a 20 year old student are (for the most part) going to make or break an applicant.</p>
<p>The only time an actual undergrad would conduct interviews would be employed seniors with the admissions ofc. The fear of random twenty yr olds influencing the process doesn’t exist.</p>
<p>Sometimes they do carry alot of weight. For example, if you are applying to a BS/MD program with a 1% acceptance rate, interviews would really make or break you. But for the common school choice probably not. Maybe at ivies and other places where admission rates are low</p>
<p>For colleges and pgms where this is a serious consideration, they have established methods to evaluate. Most others, including typical ivies, they fully recognize the inherent deficiencies of a 45 min session with an untrained volunteer. In general (and especially for Columbia) it will mean nothing in 95% of the time. Plz don’t stress. And ppl who aren’t involved shouldn’t conflate it otherwise and add stress IMHO</p>
<p>Although I know the Columbia website and most other college sites say you are not at a disadvantage if you do not receive an interview, I feel that this is untrue. Even if it is small, an interview recommendation is still one extra little thing that I can help you. I had my interview for Columbia a few weeks ago and my interviewer told me that a strong interview recommendation can often be that final push that a borderline candidate might need. </p>
<p>I spoke to a Columbia admissions representative over the phone and she literally said that, at least for Columbia, a good interview will usually push a student they are “iffy” about over. </p>
<p>@LtDani and @ds0501: both true — but how many people are really “iffy” maybe 10-15% of the applications? The vast majority of files never make it to committee. And not all write ups are positive…</p>