<p>Does anyone know how the interview works into the admissions process? I've read the article about the summaries that are written for each applicant but it focus mostly on statistics and essays. How does the information and impression that and interviewer gets from an applicant make its way into the summary?</p>
<p>I ask because I think that my interview will be the reason I get into MIT, if i do get accepted. My situation has been challenging but the majority of my application did not get to show that in detail. My interview went really well and I want to know how much this will help, and how.</p>
<p>So if anyone has insight on this, it would be geatly appreciated.</p>
<p>Hrm I don't remember exactly, but matt said at the information session around here that it's weighted just as much as your teacher recs and guidance rec...so I'm guessing 1/4 of your recommendation portion?
However, I doubt that the interview will be the sole reason you get into MIT.</p>
<p>I agree with streetlight, I think an interview will help you get into MIT... and if the interview went poorly, you'll have a very difficult time getting in... but there has to be stellar grades and activities to back up that interview!</p>
<p>Thanks for the info.</p>
<p>My grades are about par with others who applied, as i've seen a few people post them on forums like this one. My extracurriculars arn't many: i really love chorus (the only bass ive met who can hit a double low A) but i also tutor the after school physics class. i spend most of my time focusing on those however i've also worked over the summer as a math lesson contributor for <a href="http://www.algebralab.org%5B/url%5D">www.algebralab.org</a>, a grant project started by my physics teacher. These are my main exploits but the others i'm not nearly as passionate about. Overall I would say im an exceptional student, as are most that apply to MIT; however, I'm hoping that the interview will be the extra bump that will get me noticed... and perferably accepted.</p>
<p>What if someone did not give the interview? how will that affect the applicantion?</p>
<p>as far as i know...not having an interview means one of two things. a-you decided not to have one, and b-you didn't have access to an interviewer (too far away, etc).</p>
<p>if a, your chances are (according to a posting on matt's blog) reduced. however, if you didn't have an interview for reasons out of your control, there is no negative effect. after all, they [technically] can't penalize you for something you have no control over.</p>
<p>here we go... <a href="http://blogs.mit.edu/madmatt/posts/2260.aspx%5B/url%5D">http://blogs.mit.edu/madmatt/posts/2260.aspx</a></p>
<p>==================
You may be interested to know that there are four different states your interview can take on the E-3 (admissions summary) card:</p>
<pre><code>* I: We have your Interview in your admissions folder. This is when we are happiest. The interviews are very helpful to us.
W: Because you live somewhere where we don't have any ECs (Educational Counselors, MIT alumni/ae who do the interviewing), we Waived your interview. When we see this, we know not to be too bummed when there's no interview in your folder. We understand that geography can be hard, so we'll focus super-hard on all the other pieces of your application. No worries.
C: You had an interview and told us so (via the online tracking system or an email/phone call), but we don't have an interview report in your folder. When we see this code, that your interview was Conducted, we know that you had an interview, which we're happy about, and we get in touch with your interviewer to send us an extra (first?) copy of your interview report. We understand that you have no control over this -- again, no worries.
N or [blank]: You did Not do an interview. Yes, you may have read that 9% of these students who choose not to interview are admitted, compared with 22% who choose to have an interview. The reason for this is a bit murky: Are those that choose to interview more interested in MIT and better matches for MIT, making them more likely to be admitted? Or do we actively prefer those students who have interviews? Or is it that the interviews are very helpful pieces to your admissions case? Well, it's probably a bit of all three. But the numbers all point in one direction: you should choose to have an interview.
</code></pre>
<p>I had a wierd problem: We had public holidays in Nov (for the demise of our ruler) and I only had my EC's office number and his office was closed.</p>
<p>My interview column reads : Applicant tried to schedule an interview </p>
<p>I dunno what to make of that :(</p>
<p>I think they'd place that under the W category. You tried, nothing came of it...not your fault:).</p>
<p>actually my interview status was W before</p>
<p>Then I informed MIT that there is an EC quite close to where I live. It was me who took the initiative and got screwed :(</p>
<p>Maybe I should have kept my mouth shut :D</p>
<p>haha lurkers will get freaked out.......</p>