How “optional” are these interviews exactly?
I want to apply ED for a school but could not get an interview in time. Everything else in my application is ready, should I still apply ED without with the interview or wait for RD with it?
In other words, how bad is it if I submit without an interview?
If you’re able to do the interview do it; especially if this school is a reach/match. If it’s something you’re fairly certain you’ll be admitted to, don’t worry about it…
I’m in a similar situation. I just decided to not interview b/c I couldn’t visit the campus anytime soon and the nearest off campus interview was hours away.
Look on the Common Data Set and see if interview or level of applicant process is considered in the application process.
It really depends on the school. At some schools they will indicate that an interview is strongly recommended - for those schools (usually LACs), the interview is both evaluative and a way for schools to figure out who is really interested in the school. Now since you are applying ED, they already know you are very interested so don’t worry about that part.
Some schools offer optional interviews and those have little to no bearing on the admissions decision