<p>The admissions website for tufts states that the undergrad admissions office will contact applicants for an alumni interview after the tufts supplement is submitted. </p>
<p>Does this mean that I won't be able to get an interview until I finish and submit my application, or is this simply a recommendation? </p>
<p>Other schools that I'm applying to conduct interviews prior to the application review process, so I'm a little puzzled here. I think that getting an interview would potentially be of great benefit to me because I would really enjoy getting the perspective of a graduate about the school, so it seems hypocritical to me that they would require the application to be submitted before interviewing. </p>
<p>Thanks in advance for responses.</p>
<p>Some schools conduct early interviews, but Tufts isn't the only school to work this way:</p>
<p>All interviews are conducted by alumni volunteers. When Tufts has received your supplement and you've indicated that you'd like an interview, you go into the alumni interview database and are assigned to the appropriate geographic committee. The chair of that committee assigns interviewers.</p>
<p>Even in the geographic areas with lots of alumni, it can be difficult to provide an interview to every applicant who would like one. In some areas with few alumni volunteers, only half the students who have applied and requested an interview get one. Many local committees simply couldn't accommodate students who are at your early stage of deciding whether or not to attend.</p>
<p>It would be great to be able interview everyone who expressed any interest. And it would be even better if Tufts had the staff to be able to also offer on-campus interviews. But, that's just not the case.</p>
<p>That being said, there are always exceptions! You could call or email the admissions office, saying that you think you might be interested in Tufts but you'd really like to talk to a graduate before you apply. The admissions office may be able to put you in contact with someone who interviews or someone who is otherwise still connected with the university. Best of luck.</p>
<p>Thanks for the response, seashore. </p>
<p>Would there be any disadvantage in submitting the application later, closer to the deadline? I want to make sure that my essays are as good as I can get them.</p>
<p>As an interviewer, I know that almost all applications are submitted close to the deadline. </p>
<p>Some interview committees assign interview on a first-come basis. So if you live in an area where interviews are scarce, you might be increasing your risk of not getting one. BUT I think it's much more important for you to get your essays right, especially if your test scores, grades, and curriculum are anything less than stellar.</p>