<p>I requested an alumni interview online sometime in September, but like a month later they sent me an email saying their server had a problem because of Ike and I should submit a new request. I did so that very same day, and I even received a confirmation email. But I never received any information about interviews. I assumed that I just had to wait a little longer, but my mom called them today for who knows what reason, and she found out that their office never received an interview request from me and now I have no chance for an interview.</p>
<p>Has this happened to anybody else? Kinda frustrating, although I know it was my fault for not calling, and I doubt an interview would help my chances at all.</p>
<p>Don't worry about it. The interview doesn't help your chances. It's mainly informational; as my interviewer put it, Rice told her to make sure the candidate wasn't completely insane. Kind of like Hopkins' interviews, it's mainly for you to find out more about their school.</p>
<p>Seconding. I'm an alumni interviewer for Rice. Most of what I'm looking for is that you're not talking about axe-murdering people, or about how much you believe that the Backstreet Boys have advanced the field of modern music. What I'm more or less there for is to tell you about Rice, answer any questions you have, and just chat for a little bit so that someone with ties to the school can put a face to the name on the application.</p>
<p>The best I can do for you is say that you're a fascinating person, and they may listen to me, but they also may not. Having an interview in your file is nice, but it's not a make-or-break deal, and they won't hold it against you if there've been some snafus.</p>
<p>Yeah, for what I know, Rice interviews are information type of interviews (asking questions abt Rice and so) rather than evaluation type that lots of ivy schools do. so it never hurts your application to not take the interview.</p>
<p>If you live fairly close to Houston, I suggest you forward your admissions counselor at Rice the interview confirmation email you got, and a note explaining what happened. If you don't live close to Houston, don't bother. :)</p>
<p>i disagree... personally i think the interview part can really drastically improve your chances in admittance. It shows the admission office what type of person you are, if you can speak to someone you don't know and hold a conversation and even build a type of relationship over it (which you'd have to do in Rice)... It is a chance for you to show them something outside of grades... if it wasn't for my interview and my relationship built with my interviewer, i think i would have gotten deferred. I think it really pushed me over the top because it put a face on me and really helped me shine...</p>
<p>it is information type and won't break your application, but it will immensely help it. Not asking for an interview can be interpreted as:</p>
<ol>
<li>Not being interested enough</li>
<li>Being too cocky</li>
</ol>
<p>Interviews are always good, it shows you took the time to really research the school</p>
<p>Meh, i don't know about "drastically improves your chances in admission"...agree to disagree i suppose. On campus visit and interviewer said the same thing, it doesn't really matter.</p>
<p>For what is worth, the only school that my son got rejected last year was one that he had an interview. There was several mix up in scheduling in that one and I felt the interview might actually hurt him. He did get into Rice with a merit scholarship without interview.</p>
<p>it won't make or break you but it can really help your app because it shows you have interest in the school and shows the school why they should take you.</p>
<p>A mess up in an interview will DRASTICALLY hurt you though... because it'd give them GREAT reason to reject you</p>
<p>The interview neither helps nor hurts your chances any significant amount. It's not a matter of opinion.</p>
<p>And neither is what you said about the Backstreet Boys! Modern music would be what it is today without the profound impact of BSB!! Or maybe I'm thinking of Bach..</p>
<p>This same exact thing happened to me last year, except they didn't have the "Ike" excuse. They just sorta lost my request. I was not a particularly outstanding candidate, but I got in just fine. I wouldn't stress yourself out about it, especially if your out of state. Good luck, and Rice is an AWESOME place.</p>