Interview alternatives?

<p>I noticed the interview portlet on MyMIT has been updated. My interview was waived, but I was really looking forward to it so I could introduce myself more as a person. I guess I'm a bit afraid that my application won't truly show who I am without it, especially since I am a bit more comfortable speaking than I am writing (debating's helpful for that sort of thing). Should I just write a little bit about some specific things I wanted to discuss and hope for the best?</p>

<p>My interview was waived too :(
I have the same concerns as you, maybe you could write something in the "other information" section about things you wanted to discuss - I think I will do that.</p>

<p>if you dont get an interview, what does that mean? your chances of getting in are less?</p>

<p>it just probably means they couldn't find a MIT alumnus/a in your area. it shouldn't affect you chances at all.</p>

<p>Thanks, ctgirl. Sounds good.</p>

<p>Gandhiji, portlander's explanation's right as far as I know. I'm just worried because I was going to use it as another way to show who I am, and I have to think of another strategy now.</p>

<p>pillow, if you're really eager to have an interview, you might consider calling Admissions and asking how far away the nearest interviewer is, and then deciding whether you want to travel that far for that additional item in your folder. Just an idea....</p>

<p>I believe the site also mentioned some interviewers being willing to do a phone interview. Call the Admissions Office and inquire about that.</p>

<p>If your interview is waived you do NOT have any less of a chance of getting in to MIT, it just means they have one less piece of paper in your folder. Ben and Matt have said a couple times that it doesn't hinder your chances in any way at all.</p>

<p>If you still really want one, call up the Educational Council (if that's the name, in too much of a rush to sleep to look it up now :p) and see what they can do for you.</p>

<p>Consider sending in another rec instead?</p>

<p>Just to clarify, not to send in another rec to "make up for" the lack of an interview, but it's an alternative. If you have someone you know would write a good rec, send it in.</p>

<p>It says on the interview info page that those without interviews acceptance rate is only 7% compared to 19% for those with.</p>

<p>Of course, that may be due to the fact that those who can't do interviews would generally be from more rural places with fewer educational opportunities.</p>

<p>This is true generally, but only when you have the opportunity to interview and do not.</p>

<p>In the case of a waived interview, this does not hold true.</p>

<p>If there were an EC in your area and you CHOSE not to interview, then it could possibly hinder your application. An interview waived by MIT on account of there not being an EC in the area does not hinder your chances.</p>

<p>mborohovski is right -- as I understand it, the statistic quoted above is actually 7% admitted for those who didn't interview versus 19% for those who did or whose interview was waived.</p>

<p><a href="http://mitra.mitblogs.com/archives/2005/08/an_interview_ab.html#comments%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://mitra.mitblogs.com/archives/2005/08/an_interview_ab.html#comments&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>Yep, the 19% stat includes waived interviews.</p>