<p>How important are these interviews? I don't have anything that will make me standout in an interview, so should I even bother? Where are they usually held?</p>
<p>supposedly, having an interview increases your chances by a factor of 2.5...</p>
<p>So, have an interview -- it will only help. :)</p>
<p>If you don't live near MIT, they'll be held anywhere that's convenient for both you and your Educational COunselor. Sometimes that's the library, sometimes it's Barnes and Noble, sometimes it's the EC's house (that's where mine was), but it could really be anywhere. If your EC is quirky enough, it might be at McDonald's. </p>
<p>And as for standing out in an interveiw, that's the ONLY time you have to actually BE yourself! That's the greatest oppurtunity you're gonna have to show MIT first-hand your passion, intelligence, humor, personality, and all that other stuff. I would suggest doing it; if anything, it's a chance for you to ask questions. Also, it shows MIT you want to go there, because you bothered to schedule one--you weren't too "busy" or something.</p>