<p>"You could say the same for 99% of the admitted class. Interviews at Duke aren't normally a factor in admissions, hence the reason why they are optional."</p>
<p>But doesn't every school say that they are optional and that they will not affect admissions and stuff?</p>
<p>My interviewer told me they don't have as big an influence as everyone thinks. They can help you a tiny bit but they'll only hurt you if you're an *******.</p>
<p>here's what my interviewer basically said about order of importance. grades, test scores, essays, letters of rec, at the very end is interviews.</p>
<p>Anybody from FL recieve a letter yet?</p>
<p>Not all schools say they're optional. Interviews are either "informative" (primary purpose is for the student to ask questions about the school that can't be found in a book, like the school's general "personality") or "evaluative" (the interviewer is evaluating the applicant). Duke's are informative, I believe, and obviously there's different levels of importance placed on interview by school.</p>
<p>"But doesn't every school say that they are optional and that they will not affect admissions and stuff?"</p>
<p>...because they are.</p>
<p>I got my likely letter today. Yes!</p>
<p>Way to go, Goldfish! Congratulation!</p>
<p>congrats Goldfish! Wow, so many CCers getting likely letters. What state do u live in?</p>
<p>Thanks hairypotty and wrath!! Well right now, I'm feeling so relieved. :)</p>
<p>Wrath, I live in West Virginia.</p>
<p>That's sort of odd... maybe the mailings are in waves?</p>
<p>I got regents for Berkeley, and it took two weeks for my friend to get her packet...maybe it's ditto for Duke.</p>
<p>Congrats to everyone!</p>
<p>nikeswooshguy, What are regents?</p>
<p>oh, for UCB, the Regents scholarship is a cash/special privileges deal.</p>
<p>for all UCs its cash + special privelages isn't it?</p>
<p>yea, it seems like there are more special priveleges for being a UCLA regent's scholar than Berkeley, but then again, I would still take the Berkeley Regents if I was offered both.</p>
<p>Is next week the last week to get a likely letter?</p>
<p>I really don't know, it's possible that they get sent out as the adcom is reviewing applications, but it really doesn't make sense bothering to send a likely letter to someone a week before the actual decision.</p>
<p>Wait, doesn't Duke release decisions on April 1?</p>
<p>i got a likely letter yesterday!!! i'm so excited.</p>