<p>I got a postcard in the mail telling me about available alumni interviews in the area. Does anyone know how important interviews are in the admissions process?</p>
<p>I was not offered one (which was bizarre, since the regional director of admissions was located 10-15 minutes away, or so I later learned).</p>
<p>I found that to be a bit annoying, and didn't help with my feelings about the school, but so it goes.</p>
<p>My dad is one of the alumni interviewers in my area and he says its helpful so he's making me get one. His big tip is to make sure you ask questions.</p>
<p>NU was the only school I didn't interview for, and I got in... I think it can be helpful but it doesn't hurt not to have one.</p>
<p>interviews don't usually make a big difference, IF YOU GO
NOT GOING, however, is a big deal. the school may feel that you are using them as a safety or that you don't really want to go there.</p>
<p>efs001- You wouldn't happen to live in the Bay Area would you? I'm interviewing in San Francisco in mid-January.</p>
<p>And for interviews in general I just figure that as long as you can convey your ideas well and you've done your research, it can only help.</p>
<p>I never got a postcard, but my application didn't get sent in until the 17th, so they probably wouldn't have had my information anyway. Should I be worried?</p>
<p>Hm well my application isn't even in yet but I got a postcard...</p>
<p>Forgottenhawk- I live in upstate NY so I can't be of any help. Sorry...</p>
<p>I never got a postcard when I applied, hence no interview.</p>
<p>Well, it's possibly because I never had any special contact with Northwestern before I sent my application. A few weeks before submitting it I requested brochures and information from their website. (Which STILL haven't come in the mail!) I basically grew an interest in Northwestern from info I got from my own HS (which keeps a library bookshelf of info on different colleges) and other relatives who attended. I'm just worried that NU will have the impression when they get my application that I didn't "express interest." I realized this when I couldn't check any boxes on the application that asked which NU programs I participated in. Heck, I even tried looking up Northwestern Comes to You info sessions, and all I got was "None are currently scheduled in your area." Frankly, I'm surprised because I live in the Ft. Lauderdale/Palm Beach/Miami area. (VERY populated) I tried my best to establish a relationship with them, so far I've failed, and I hope it doesn't hurt me.</p>
<p>I got a email with a link. supposedly you can request online...but it doesn't work :(</p>
<p>anyone else get a email?</p>
<p>I got an email. And I requested one and got it. It was surprisingly (suspiciously?) easy...</p>
<p>I would definitely get an interview. Even though they don't often count for much (so I've heard), something you might say could be the thing that pushes your application into the "accepted" pile. I would recommend taking advantage of every opportunity when applying.</p>
<p>dvm, don't be so surprised about their not coming to you. I work for the Student Admissions Council and they had a program to bring updated information back to guidance counselors. I went to pick it up, and before giving it to me they had to check if they were visiting my HS anyway. When they said that, I immediately assumed that they'd not be giving it- they were checking because I said the school was in suburban NY, and I figured "My HS is a powerhouse, they obviously go to visit". Wrong! They don't at all. It sort of irks me, to be honest. The kids at my former HS could really benefit from knowing more about NU, and perhaps alleviating the cluster**** that the ivies are.</p>
<p>its unnecessary, but cant hurt...if you dont **** up</p>
<p>fringey- Lol I was quite surprised too. I signed up as soon as I got the postcard and what do you know, ALL the time slots were open and I had total freedom to pick when and where I wanted to interview. Very surprising since I live in the Bay Area which is ridiculously populated.</p>
<p>I got the postcard with a web address on it. So I went to the site and typed in my zip code. No interviewer in the area. Oh well. They won't penalize me for this...hopefully.</p>
<p>forgottenhawk... I know!! It was almost surreal. I hope everything is as it should be... I live in LA for crying out loud!</p>
<p>Well, I actually live in South Florida, so I don't really think they'll see my school as a "powerhouse" unless they look at the stats from each individual school. I'm just kinda worried that because I wasn't able to check any of the boxes on the application that asked how I learned about NU, it will negatively impact my application and make them believe applying was a last-minute decision.</p>