<p>Does doing an optional interview increase your chance of getting in?</p>
<p>It increases your chances in the sense that they have more information on you than other applicants, so definitely do it.</p>
<p>Interviews often don't hold much weight in admission, but not doing one when you can might show a lack of interest.
Always do the interview.</p>
<p>At least at MIT, the acceptance rate for people who chose to interview was higher than for those who chose not to, it's probably similar for other schools too.</p>
<p>what if a school is too far away to go to for an interview? im in michigan, and im applying to a couple schools in california and a couple other states that are too far away to go to for an interview. is there a way to do it over the phone or something?</p>
<p>They usually have alumni interviewers who are in your area. If there are none in your area, they waive the interview part of your application and it will not count against you as it is not your fault that you cannot have one.</p>
<p>If you think that you come off well in person, then do the interview! Unless you show up on drugs or do something highly inappropriate the interview really can't hurt you. </p>
<p>But if it goes really really really well, then it can be what pushes you over the top.</p>
<p>if you don't make good first impressions, don't do the interview</p>
<p>if you think you'll do well, do it</p>
<p>I know an alumni interviewer for Princeton. He says when he finds a kid he thinks well of, he will keep an eye on his app, and go to bat for him.</p>
<p>^^^^Good to know!!</p>
<p>bobob-ok but what if a school doesnt have alumni interviews, but they recommend or require a campus interview? then what would i do?</p>
<p>^ I haven't heard of that, actually! Call the school first and see whether you can substitute a phone interview for a campus interview. I don't think it's reasonable to expect all applicants to be able to be on campus for their school interview...what about international applicants?</p>
<p>
[quote]
I know an alumni interviewer for Princeton. He says when he finds a kid he thinks well of, he will keep an eye on his app, and go to bat for him.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>This is true. My Harvard interviewer lobbied my case to the Harvard Adcoms both initially during application period, and even after I was waitlisted. He called their office and emailed several times on my behalf. Although I was ultimately still not accepted, I really appreciated the time and effort he put in for me. When I told him that I decided to go to MIT, he even offered to introduce me to several of his friends who also attended MIT while he was at Harvard. Sometimes you meet these amazing interviewers.</p>
<p>i had a fantastic duke interview and that's what saved my ass - the seven other colleges i applied to all rejected me. too bad i think i probably have to withdraw my place cos i still can't find ways to fund it.</p>