DS20 is interested in Richmond and keeps asking us to set up a visit. We live in MA so this involves flights and planning. Can anyone tell me whether they generally do interviews? I see info about Spider Chats on the website but nothing about actual admissions interviews. Will have to get DS to call them himself but he’s never home when I think of it! This school is a bit of a reach for him so I’ve been dragging my feet on the visit.
Richmond’s common data set says an interview isn’t considered in the admission process: https://ifx.richmond.edu/pdfs/CDS_C.PDF
As noted above, interviews at URichmond are not required for admission, and more for info/asking questions. Neither of my UR grads interviewed when they visited. They did arrange to attend a class during their visit, which they enjoyed, and helped in assessing fit.
Thank you both.
Our D (who graduated from UR last month) and I found it very worthwhile of our time and money to fly a great distance to UR during the Fall break of her senior year of high school, attend the formal admissions program, get a guided tour of the campus, eat in the dining hall, and she sat in on a class.
We also visited her other two top college of interest on this one week trip, flying to two other cities before returning home. I would not ask our D to make a commitment to attend a private college or university for 4 years unless she had a chance to visit an actual dormitory room, tour the campus, compare it to other colleges, and make an informed decision, especially with the substantial investment required in her education.
After we completed all of our planned activities at UR, before we departed the campus, on a whim, I asked for, and the two of us were very fortunate to get, an office call with the Associate Vice President and Dean of Admissions.
While interviews are not required, he did tell us he had a vote on the undergraduate admissions panel, and he strongly encouraged our D to meet with the UR regional admissions representative for our state when she was visiting our area.
As it was explained to us, the UR regional admissions representatives also have a vote on the admissions panel and each one presents applicants from his or her region to the panel for admissions consideration.
Based on our impressions from our visit to UR and our positive experience, our D applied ED and was offered admission.
If you’re seriously considering UR, as a minimum, we highly recommend the applicant make every effort possible to meet with the UR regional admission representative when he or she visits your state.