<p>Hi I'm interested in applying to Olin, but I'm wondering will not having an interview hurt me? I live California not really too close to any of the two locations that are holding interviews. If it's going to make a HUGE difference on my application then I'll take the hour/ hour half drive but if not I'd prefer not to. I'm confident if I do have an interview it'll be moderately good to great. </p>
<p>Does anyone have any statistics on what percent of those accepted do interviews?</p>
<p>I am the parent of a VERY happy Olin freshman. As you know, Olin is a very small school. It is extremely difficult to get in. If you are truly interested in Olin, I suggest you do everything you can to indicate your interest. IMO, I think someone who was not willing to drive an hour or two wasn’t super interested. The admissions people may not feel that way. I have no way of knowing. If you don’t get in, will you kick yourself for not going on the interview?</p>
<p>Just returned from Family Weekend at Olin. What an amazing place. My son could not be happier. He has finally met kids like him. The students are treated like adults, are challenged, but love what they’re learning. It is not the right school for everyone, but it is a perfect fit for him.</p>
<p>OP–Are you referring to an information session? I don’t believe Olin does evaluative interviews prior to Candidates’ Weekend, but I may be wrong. I agree with FlMathMom, though, that any interest you can show would be a good thing for such a small place like Olin. It’s not imperative, but I would encourage you strongly to attend at least one of the information sessions if you are truly interested.</p>
<p>It’s totally unnecessary to go to an info session before applying for Olin. However, it can definitely help your chances as it allows someone in admissions to put a face to that application they receive in a few months. I drove over 2.5 hours to go to one and I know it made a difference in my getting invited to candidates weekend. Attending candidates weekend, which is held around March and happens after the first round of admission cuts, is required, however, for admission to Olin.</p>
<p>As for stats on who gets accepted vs not based on attending an interview there are no such stats. For some students who live in out of the way states, they have no chance of attending an interview/info session, but as Olin values geographic diversity that same student from South Dakota, for instance, may have a higher chance of making candidates weekend than one of the many students from MA who goes to an info session, for instance. I will say, if you are a good interviewer, it can only help your case to attend a session and get some one-on-one time from someone in admissions.</p>
<p>O and one more thing. Going to an info session is a great way to get ideas for the Why Olin is a good fit for me essay or why Olin questions you will be asked at candidate’s weekend.</p>
<p>Another Olin 2015 mom here, just back from Family Weekend and excited about all it offers! (Waving to the other Olin moms/dads) </p>
<p>We traveled about an hour for son’s interview (info session?) in Denver. It was definitely worth it. He learned a lot about Olin. (We had visited once during summer vacation, but it was before he was really set on Engineering and paying attention well.) </p>
<p>If you make the cut for Candidates Weekend in Feb timeframe, you’ll want to understand whether it is worth your time and money to travel to the required event in Boston. So my suggestion is do the short travel now, so you’ll be better poised to prioritize your college travel later. </p>
<p>Also… every interview helps you refine priorities. And interview skills too. Good luck!</p>
<p>I would really like to go to Olin and I planned on going to an information session via train/ bus even though LA public transportation is horrible and the interview was more a ride issue family has one car and my dads at work from 9-6… so yea BUT luckily for me Olin is visiting my school! (First time ever!) They accidentally sent me an email saying they were coming and then they said it was a mistake and I expressed my severe disappointment so Mr. Murdoch I recall is coming by! So far I’m the only person signed up for the visit :)</p>
<p>That’s wonderful, KA–it will be a great opportunity for you to have a good conversation with Duncan Murdoch. Good luck!</p>
<p>That’s great. Duncan Murdoch is the best!!</p>
<p>That’s great. I think Duncan was son’s interviewer in Colorado. We were lucky - it was on a Saturday, making the logistics easier.</p>
<p>Wow turns out the western office is in claremont. My parents wanted to take me there to see the 5C colleges so I think I’ll get to have a formal interview after all!</p>
<p>That’s great. Be sure to familiarize yourself with any school before talking to a rep. You only get one chance to make a first impression, make the most of it.</p>