<p>Do people typically have interviews before or after applications are sent out, and how does one go about setting up an interview, for both at the school and near your hometown?</p>
<p>Short, specific answer: Check the Admissions websites of the schools you’re interested in.</p>
<p>Long, generalized answer: Most schools do interviews before you send in your application. You can usually book one on their website 2+ weeks in advance; some require you to call, especially if you need an alumni interview (in your hometown as opposed to on campus). I’ve seen a few schools that only did interviews after receiving applications - for those schools, you had to check a box on the application to indicate that you wanted an interview.</p>