<p>When we visited last summer, the admissions officer who gave the info session said that interviews were not required; in effect, one should interview only if you feel it would help your chances. If the student feels they might not come across well, they shouldn't interview.</p>
<p>My question is, is this accurate? My daughter has top-notch credentials, but hasn't yet interviewed. Might this ultimately be held against her?</p>
<p>We live close enough (4 hrs) so that getting to Colby wouldn't be a problem.</p>
<p>MADad,
Both USNews and PrincetonReview sites list the interview at Colby as an "important" factor in admissions. My son and I travelled over 11 hours this summer to visit Colby and have an interview. Since you live quite a bit closer I personally would travel to Colby before the snow hits. An interview might just be the deciding factor between two very qualified candidates. Plus your daughter would be able to see Colby and its student body in action. It's difficult to get a true feel for a college during the summer. Hope this helps.</p>
<p>Definately if Colby is on her short list, it will help both you and the admission staff make final decisions. Understand that if the admission staff encourages interviews in any way, when the official word is that they aren't required, they would be inundated. Selective schools are always looking for students who go the extra mile and many schools keep track of "demonstrated interest." </p>
<p>This recent article in The Chronicle of Higher Education is very telling: </p>
<p>Interviews are not required at Colby for several reasons: resources/logistics (particularly for international students), and that some students just don't come across well, are among them. It is usually seen as an expression of a student's interest in our school, if a student requests an interview--either with one of us, or with an alum closer to home--and of course it's nice to see.... but I will admit that in the scheme of things, I believe that an interview is <em>not</em> near the top of what most of us consider as part of the application; ie. a fantastic interview probably will not push a student over the top who is clearly not a competitive applicant, and a terrible interview probably will not sink the candidacy of an otherwise-solid applicant. An interview will be among many parts of an application, and variables of this process, but it's not chief among them.</p>
<p>That said, I think the interview may be one of the most important parts of the process for the student, from his/her perspective, because it might be one of the only times during this process where he/she will have complete control. For much of the college search/application, we rely on what other people say/write about a student, or how that student appears on paper, two-dimensionally--gpa/SATs/transcript, etc. The interview allows a student to show us that third dimension, and puts the power in his/her hands, and I think most students would do well to consider empowering themselves in this way, at some point between the early summer and mid-January. </p>
<p>In the end, I encourage all who are curious, to trust what one of us (or more) says about Colby admissions, our preferences and the process--other journals and magazines and postings are helpful, generally, but the "real scoop" about Colby is indeed what we provide. Even though we are admissions (and thus are preceived as "salespersons"), we are also counselors, and families should know that in this stressful and sometimes-confusing process, I believe we all work with honesty and integrity towards finding the right "fit" for each student, and the info we provide is accurate and sincere. Trust what we tell you about Colby and what we do. Thanks to all for your interest in Colby.</p>