<p>Can someone guide us about interviews. </p>
<p>Most colleges say they are not evaluative, yet I know they always help to have them. However, I think my S is late in making that happen. What do you think? Is he too late? Does he need to make that happen? Some schools he's been looking at only hold interviews over the summer. Is he now at a disadvantage? </p>
<p>I know of some that require an interview, (Georgetown, UChicago, etc.) but what about others? Is there a list?</p>
<p>Interviews that are not evaluative are often viewed as an indicator of “affinity”, that is, how likely you are to actually come if you’re offered admission. That’s why they’re considered “good” even if the content of the interview isn’t being used in evaluating the application.</p>
<p>You could do nearly as well by visiting campus and making a phone call to an admissions counselor asking some intelligent questions and expressing your interest in the college.</p>
<p>Yes, my S has visited, and will probably see the admissions people in the next month when they come to our area for a college fair. He’s also signed up for a few special nighttime presentations. But, I have heard that it’s less likely to get in if you haven’t had the interview. It’s just the logistics: we can’t spend every weekend traveling because my other kids are in travel soccer. If I explain, I sound whiney. Know of any particular schools that discredit an applicant because they weren’t interviewed?</p>
<p>I have heard of phone interviews, but those are the worst!</p>
<p>Look for the Common Data Set on a school’s site and find section C7. The line “Interview” will have a check under one of Very Important, Important, Considered, Not Considered.</p>
<p>
What’s you’ve heard isn’t necessarily accurate. For one thing, many colleges use alumni interviewers; you meet with someone in the community you live, not someone on campus. Second, many schools either do not offer interviews or do not care much about them. Some strivers, such as WUSTL, put a big emphasis on them because they want to see demonstrated interest, but most do not.</p>
<p>“For one thing, many colleges use alumni interviewers; you meet with someone in the community you live, not someone on campus.”</p>
<p>If the Common Data Set says that Interview is at least Considered, the results of off-campus alumni interviews are sometimes (often? always?) fed back to the admissions committee.</p>