<p>I am unclear about interviewing with Smith or MHC. I live in a small town in upstate New York and don't really have any way of getting there except on the weekend. Is this really mandatory for admission? I'm not sure what I should do. Thank you.</p>
<p>They do interview on Saturdays at MHC (can’t speak for Smith). D thought her interview at MHC with a member of the senior class cemented her interest in the school, and enjoyed that interview the best.</p>
<p>In the case of a women’s college, you really need to decide whether or not a women’s college is right for you–an interview may help you with that choice.</p>
<p>For colleges, it appears that interviews are very important to the admissions committee. My D is a firstie at Mount Holyoke, coming from a NYC prep school. The admissions head from Connecticut College (a school of similar size to MHC and S) visited my D’s high school and said that if a candidate lives close enough to the college and does not have enough interest to visit the college for an interview and visit, CC might not be interested either. HOWEVER, I think CC gets way more applications than MHC and Smith, so CC can be more critical. But my D had a great interview with the MHC rep who came to NYC, and I think that interview was a deciding factor in my D’s decision to ED1, and, I would like to think was also iomportant to MHC in deciding to accept her, but I will never know that. So I would make the effort to go to an interview, on campus if the rep does not come to your area. This is D’s first major decision in her life. She should do all she can to get all the information she needs and to make out her best admissions package. Take two days off from school & work. It’s important. You can do both S & MHC in the same day if you plan it out right.</p>
<p>Smith does interviews on Saturday, but have you tried seeing if you could do an interview with an alum in your area? </p>
<p>I really disagree with CD. Interviews ar enice, it can be good to give the people that will read your applications (those will not neccessarily be the interviewers, many admissions offices use students or temporary help to do the interviews so that the staff can focus on other things) more context about yourself and more data points on which to judge you. BUT for Smith (I can’t speak for MHC but I assume it’s similar) the interview is not, I would say, a strong part of the admissions process. It can help you if you do it, but it won’t hurt you to not do it. That’s what they mean when they make something optional (interviews at Smith are wholly optional). Also, the admissions people understand that not everyone has the ability to take time off from work or school or the money it costs to travel to visit a school for an interview. Making interviews a major part of the process would deeply uneven the playing field for admissions. It would be unfair of them to judge you for not coming to an interview, when they don’t require it of all students. And they don’t require it of all students because the requirement would be unfair. I hope that all made sense. </p>
<p>Visiting and doing an interview, or interviewing with an alum in your area, can help you make some good decisions about the school, and it does offer a chance for you and your parents to ask questions in a one on one setting. But if it’s going to be a hardship, I wouldn’t bother. Also, if you do go to an interview, remember not to read too much into it one way or the other. Non-optional interviews are just as much about selling the school to you as it is about evaluating your suitability for the school, so interviewers will go out of their way to make sure you leave with a positive experience and a good feeling about the school. That way when you’re choosing between acceptance offers, you’ll think back on how great XX person from XX school was, and what a connection you had.</p>
<p>Thank you. I really have no way of getting there and have been worried. I’ve spoken to several alums at both schools (none admissions reps but sisters of friends who are alumna) and am really interested in both. I’ve applied to Barnard and Bryn Mawr as well. I can get to Barnard but they don’t seem to stress the interview as much. I’ve been really worried about it. Thanks for your comments.</p>
<p>In the case of a women’s college, you really need to decide whether or not a women’s college is right for you–an interview may help you with that choice. </p>
<p>AND, your effort to have an interview on campus are also a great way to show a women’s college you are truly interested. They know many kids are iffy about single-sex schools. </p>
<p>Smith states interviews are “highly recommended” on the web site. And Holyoke states “recommended” in conjunction with a campus tour. Whether or not it is a top aspect in an admissions decision, it is still a chance to make a favorable impression. Sometimes, adding to their picture of you is worth the effort.</p>
<p>That being said, if you truly can’t get there, call and speak with the rep for NY (not just the receptionist) about your local options.</p>
<p>and, ps: great friends of mine went to Smith and MHU and loved it- both are brilliant, accomplished women.</p>
<p>My younger D was admitted to both MHC and Smith, and was unable to interview at either.</p>
<p>She is attending Smith.</p>
<p>^ Each applicant has her own particular concerns. IMO, in circumstances where a gal thinks she could be borderline, would like to explain special conditions, needs a great finaid package- whatever the reasons are- it can help to make the extra effort to get to campus and interview. In this case, if she just can’t get there, IMO, it still makes sense to pursue Plan B.</p>
<p>^amending my post- any finaid benefit from a favorable interview would, of course, depend on the college’s own policies and actual practices.</p>
<p>I find it hard to believe that a campus interview would play any role in financial aid. I am not even sure the finaid people would know if you visited or not.</p>
<p>ready2011–It is ikely that, wherever you live in NY state, there will be a Smith alum within a reasonable drive who can interview you. If you haven’t done so already, use this form to find out if there is indeed an interviewer near you: [url=<a href=“http://www.smith.edu/admission/alumna.php]Smith”>Find an Alumnae Volunteer]Smith</a> College: Find a Smith Alumna<a href=“Interviews%20usually%20wrap%20up%20at%20the%20end%20of%20January,%20so%20act%20fast!”>/url</a></p>
<p>In addition, you should feel free to email the Smith staff member who oversees applicants from your high school and explain to her what you have said here (that you are truly interested in Smith but can’t get to campus). I think your admissions rep is Deanna Dixon (<a href=“mailto:ddixon@smith.edu”>ddixon@smith.edu</a>) but you’d be wise to call the admission office to double check.</p>