<p>I got an email from Northwestern to set up an interview a few weeks ago. I have been checking back almost every day, and no new interviews come up. I live in central new jersey so I thought there must be an alumni somewhere around here, but I guess not. I figured since I am most likely going to be at the bottom half of the incoming class, if I'm even accepted (Act-29 GPA-3.98 Great ECs- girl scouts, field hockey, newspaper ect ect.) I figured I would sign up for an interview to boost my chances, But since there is no interviews in my area is there anything else I should do? I really want to go to Northwestern, and I just want to make sure I get the best chance possible.</p>
<p>I’m also from Jersey, and I’ve had the same problem with getting an interview. However, I spoke with a friend who applied earlier than I did, and she said there was a huge interview day at a private school where multiple interviewers came and held the interviews in classrooms. Looks like we may have missed out, unfortunately.</p>
<p>^That was at Dalton in NYC this past Saturday.</p>
<p>I was talking about one at Pingry a week or two ago, but it seems like it must be a common thing for Northwestern.</p>
<p>send an email to <a href=“mailto:ug-admission@northwestern.edu”>ug-admission@northwestern.edu</a>.</p>
<p>all the interview slots in my area were full, so I asked if more would open. They told me to keep an eye out but that if I couldn’t grab a slot they would mark on my record that I requested one.</p>
<p>As luck has it, I did manage to schedule an interview. But if there are none in your area it’s worth at least sending them an email to show your interest</p>
<p>At the very least, I would contact admissions (email’s probaby simplest) to see if there are any interviews in your area or if there are any other methods of interviewing. (I’ve heard of some schools doing Skype/phone interviews, but can’t remember if NU does.) Even if you are still not able to interview, they will see that you demonstrated interest in the school. Just don’t get too caught up in the idea that an interview will make or break your chances. Many people get in without one–put more emphasis on making your “Why NU?” essay the best and most personal it can be.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>thanks guys. I appreciate it.</p>
<p>I just had an interview with a Northwestern alum (I live in northern Illinois, so mine took place on the actual campus) and my interviewer stressed that only a small percentage of applicants are able to obtain an interview, and they want it that way. You have to act very quickly after receiving their email offering you an interview. I responded to mine within 24 hours and there were only two more slots for me to choose from.</p>
<p>I’m not sure if it works the same way in satellite locations, but that’s just been my experience. Best of luck!</p>
<p>are we allowed to email admissions to ask for an interview?</p>
<p>The interviews DO NOT MEAN ANYTHING. Just in case anyone was wondering. And yes, you can email them and ask if there will be availability, but they won’t necessarily be able to give you one.</p>
<p>Why would they offer them if they don’t mean anything?</p>
<p>Not sure why they offer them, but I’m a Northwestern senior and didn’t have an interview when I applied. I still got in. Don’t stress out too much over it.</p>
<p>They offer them as informational interviews and nothing more.</p>
<p>But they aren’t completely informational… Mine was much more geared towards my interviewer asking me questions rather than me asking her questions. My interviewer also said that NOt obtaining an interview can’t hurt you, but doing well in one can’t help you. They’re not completely pointless and only for the prospective student’s benefit. They put a report in your application file.</p>
<p>That’s obviously supposed to be “but doing well in one CAN help you,” haha. Sorry.</p>
<p>It hypothetically might be able to, but in reality they don’t care. The real point is to keep alumni involved and feeling special.</p>
<p>E.g.: Princeton, which gives VERY regular interviews, supposedly does take a recommendation from the interviewer. My friends father had been doing that for 10 years, he’d recommended 9 out of 10 for admission. Guess which of the 10 got in.</p>
<p>Interviews are nice but mean very, very little (except for Georgetown).</p>
<p>Here’s what seems to be the bottom line on interviews:</p>
<p>1.In the grand scheme of admissions they don’t mean too much.
2.Does this mean that they can’t help an applicant? NO! An interview can help an applicant convey a new side of themselves that they didn’t in their application.
3.Will a person without an interview have any disadvantage? No.
4.Could it help to request an interview directly from the admissions office, to show interest? Yes, it would be about as relevant as touring the school I assume.</p>
<p>As my final point:
If you do have an interview, try to do a very good job with it. Your interviewer does write a report about you (in most cases), so give them something to write about.</p>