<p>I'm assuming that there isn't much weight put on the alumni interview because they aren't offered to all states and it wouldn't be fair. They might just be a way for alumni to maintain a relationship with the school.
Since I went through with one, I'm wondering: Any ideas on how much difference it will make?</p>
<p>You’re pretty close here. I would add that interviews are also a way to get applicants interested in the school. Stanford isn’t everyone’s first choice, and if students are going to learn about the school, the school will want to control as many levers as possible in that regard; having an alumni member speak with an applicant for 1+ hour generally amounts to pretty good publicity.</p>
<p>Stanford says the purpose includes, “Convey their impressions of these candidates to the admission committee.” Since the program is still growing, we don’t know how much they will rely on the interviewer notes for kids lucky enough to be in the right areas. In the Common Data Set, they say the interview is “considered.” I’d think they will turn to the notes if they feel it will round out the picture of you, give them a closer look. All we can really say is, best wishes.</p>
<p>It is given weight if two applicants are equal and one slot</p>