Any internationals whose interviews were initially waived get one?
@bardib I am an international student from India whose interview was waived and still not got one. There is a big debate as to whether MIT interviews are selective YoY. Do you know anyone who had a waived interview and got one now? How is this interview offered- via email?
I am not from India but my interview has also been waived. As far as I know, the tick within the interview checkbox disappears for those who have been selected for an interview and they are contacted shortly after by the admissions office via email. I have talked to MIT alumni interviewers from my country who admit to such a shortlisting process being used. My tick has still remains so I am assuming this speaks to my unfavourable candidacy. I know Indian applicants for the Class of 2021 received their interview requests early to mid February but I am not sure if proceedings in every country run under the same timeline or a case-by-case basis.
Yeah, I havent received call for interview either. Earlier today, I saw this in my application checklist in front of waived interview.
“You were not assigned an Educational Counselor (EC), as none were available in your area. You may contact the EC Office if you wish to find the nearest EC. The interview is optional, and candidates are not penalized if they do not have an interview. If you were able to travel to have an interview, we will update your record to indicate your EC assignment after we receive your EC’s interview report. If you completed your interview and we have not yet received the report, please fill out a Conducted Interview form. We will update your record to indicate who your EC was, and then follow up with your EC.”
I contacted the EC Office but they said that they have stopped conducting interviews for this year. I am not sure the applicability of this statement, and what it means about selective interviews. I had previously called the admissions office and they said that interviews are strictly based on ‘availability’. THis is in direct contradiction with a what a lot of students have to say. I guess according to your time frame, i probably only have a few more days before confirming my own unfavorable candidacy.
Is the same system used with Harvard interviews? There seems to be enough debate on that as well? One of my friends has applied to harvard and has the same dilemna about selectivity of interviews
I am quite certain that the majority of international applicants hailing from countries with limited interviews received an interview request (usually with an admissions officer) prior to admission. This is corroborated by experiences of my friends and acquaintances studying at Harvard. All evidence is anecdotal though, so take this information with a pinch of salt!
my friend was deferred early from harvard so dont know whether deferred students are offered rd interviews. Wasnt offered an interview earlier
You should assume what MIT admissions office says is true. Interviews are based on availability and not by the strength of the applicant. It’s not an initial cut-off.
Is there a certain time frame those deferred might know for sure?
@candyce1 I think deferred applicants will find out at the same time as those who applied RD – March 14th at 6:28 pm ET.
I get that 6.28 is pi times two, but I feel like it would be better if the release time was 1:59. Then it would be 3/14, 1:59.
@manchesternashik I’m from India too, my interview was waived as well, but there’s a tick in the checkbox for me
@manchesternashik - We are in India. My daughter’s interview with MIT was initially waived. Then she received notification she would have a Skype interview with an alum in Kerala. Then he told her she would have an in person interview with an alum in Bangalore (where we live). She had the interview almost a month ago.
@ski_racer It’s at 6:28 pm because of it being tau time. 1:59 pm would be good, though!
Watch Vi Hart about Pi vs. Tau
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jG7vhMMXagQ
I thInk 6:28 pm ensures kids aren’t trying to log onto their portals during school hours.
@AroundHere I won’t be in school but I’ll be skipping jazz band so I’ll be at home when I get my decision.
I have taekwondo that day from 6 to 7…I don’t want to miss the class but I also want to see it as soon as it comes out…
Just like other applicants from India, my interview was also waived, but not in a usual way. After completing my application, I was assigned an MIT alum as my interviewer, along with his contact details. When i mailed him regarding the interview process, he replied that he will get back to me soon. But after a week, MyMIT portal stated that my interview has been waived. Also, I have not heard anything my to-be interviewer. Strange… I wonder if anybody from India had similar experience.
Anyone from India or China received interview invitation from MIT?