<p>How much does a really good interview affect your chances for admission? Apparently Harvard reads through applications meticulously as they narrow them down. Does this mean that the interview can make or break an application?</p>
<p>I know there are other threads asking the same thing, but another one won't hurt, I'm sure.</p>
<p>Another one won't hurt, but it clutters up the board. Search is a great function, try exploring that.</p>
<p>There's no need to be rude, lubinli.
To answer you question, the interview won't have a significant effort on whether you get in or not (unless you have a REALLY incredible interview or a REALLY horrible interview). However, it does give them a chance to get a personal look at you and also lets them advertise their college to you.</p>
<p>Hey, as a follow up question, what do you classify as a really good interview and a really bad one?</p>
<p>The interview is actually pretty important, forget the SAT, its just to see how you compare among other applicants. The interview is suppossed to give the school a better picture of who you're really are. So the admissions officers will learn most from the interview cause it was you actually sitting there live talking to someone about yourself so dont screw up the interviews</p>
<p>I wouldn't put too much faith in the interview just because so many applicants never get them due to geographical reasons.</p>
<p>This is what my interviewer told me
A bad interview can break you but a good one cant make you
basically as long as you dont majorly screw up the interview doesnt carry too much weight</p>
<p>I think interviews can really help you if your in an area with tons of other strong applicants, and almost everyone is getting an interview. e.g. it would be valuable to have a good interview if you were from NJ rather than Wyoming.</p>
<p>^^ I hope that's the case, because then my interview'll help my chances a lot. :)</p>
<p>Ted, i disagree, the stronger the applicants are in your area the harder it is to get in because of the competitive environment.</p>
<p>I think both Caitlin99 and Ted are correct. Being from NJ, yes I think it is more competitive because there are so many candidates, but I think that's exactly what Ted is getting at...since it is so competitive, a really outstanding interview can help a person stand out among the competitive crowd.</p>
<p>Well, you can always try to find out somehow :) One of my parents knows the head of the local alumni association very well, and was able to hear from this friend that my interviewer raved about me :)</p>
<p>The admissions counselor for my area talked to my guidance counselor and she noted how much my interviewer was thrilled with me. (Trying to phrase this in as humble a way as possible, heh.) It's good to stand out but I generally agree with the overall tone that a GREAT interview will only reinforce some of the things that are already evidenced in your recs, EC's and essay. But a BAD interview will diminish your chances for counselors to be sympathetic on weak areas of your application. And yes, Harvard students are weaker in some areas than others - no one is perfect. (But there sure are some seemingly near-perfect kids - at least on paper.)</p>