<p>Hi guys!
I’m an international student from Japan who applied to Bates this year by Regular Decision. Thing is, I haven’t had an interview. I found an article sometime ago saying that only about 14 percent of applicants who didn’t have an interview were accepted. I’ve been kind of worried, and wondering if there are any international students out there who can give me some advice on this. (The deadline for interview requests is 2/15)</p>
<p>First, are there any internationals out there who applied to Bates and got accepted without an interview? Also, the website says that the interviews are held in many foreign countries, but if the interviewers can’t come to your country, do they conduct Skype interviews by any chance? Or should I just get off my butt and email the AO immediately instead? :)</p>
<p>Definitely email them to at least show interest.
When I visited Bates, the director of admissions said that they throw away about 1500 unqualified applications right away without reading them. But then there are still a ton of people with great stats, and the way they sort that out is through essays and interviews. What’s really important to them is understanding who and what a Bates student is, and convincing them that you are one. So I think that’s why interviews are so important, because it gives an extra push of interest. As an international student, you obviously have less ability to interview. At least contact them to show them that you want an interview.if you can’t have one, they will recognize that it is out of your control.</p>
<p>I am also an international student. They told me there is no interviewer in nigeria. But they would include how badly I wanted an interview. So just contact them.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the helpful responses! It’s great to know many international students are interested in Bates.
OMG. 1500 applications tossed away immediately?! Definitely want to avoid that I have emailed Bates several times in the past, wonder if those emails are counted as well…
I will email them right away about those interviews. Hope if I get one I won’t mess up x(
Thanks again!!</p>
<p>I think it makes a lot of sense to email the admissions office and ask if you can interview with someone by Skype. I have no idea whether or not they do this but it would be a great opportunity for potential applicants who can’t afford to travel to Maine for an interview and do not live near an alumnus who volunteers. My daughter interviewed locally with an alumna. We are now planning to take a visit. If they do not currently provide for interview by Skype, if the requests get their attention, they may adapt in the future.</p>
<p>Got a response from the admissions office. Couldn’t get an interview. It also seems that no Skype interviews are offered (I was hoping for the possibility–the opportunity would have been great). Guess I just have to wait now and keep them updated.</p>
I have emailed Bates several times in the past, wonder if those emails are counted as well…