<p>Last week, I was on the phone with Northwestern and the undergraduate counselor said that they don't really consider the interview. So is it true? Does the interview hold any weight in the admission process for ED?</p>
<p>If it is exceptional (bad or good) it can have a small weight. Otherwise, no.</p>
<p>Signed,</p>
<p>Alumni Interviewer</p>
<p>This is the email my D got today.</p>
<p>"Thanks for contacting Northwestern University! </p>
<p>Unfortunately, it is too late in the application process to schedule an alumni interview. </p>
<p>Rest assured that an interview is not required for your application and does not play an important role in the application process. We use interviews to gauge how interested an applicant is in attending NU. Since___________is applying Early Decision, her application already reflects the high level of motivation we’d be looking for!</p>
<p>I will make a note of your request in her file so that the admissions committee will be aware of her effort to schedule an interview. "</p>
<p>@arbiter213
How do you know if the interview was exceptional? Mine was an hour and 30 mins, but most of my friends was about an hour. I am really scared that my interview was bad.</p>
<p>Elapsed time isn’t a great correlate with the quality of an interview. For jobs, I’ve had exceptional short interviews (20-30 minutes), and a great one that lasted 2 hours. If the flow of the conversation transitioned smoothly, and you didn’t stumble or contradict any of your assertions, you should be good.</p>
<p>Shosty, I’ve also interviewed people and they have run about 30 minutes. </p>
<p>This isn’t a case interview – if I cant gauge someones personality/interests/passion for nu in 30 minutes, then I’m doing something wrong. No reason to keep the applicant nervously suffering for more time than they need to.</p>
<p>(and a note: interviewers are alumni with lives. If we actually talked to you for longer than normal, it probably means we enjoyed being there because we have the power to close things early).</p>