<p>According to the Rice application the interview is optional. Does anyone know if there is any benefit to requesting one or if I dont will it hurt my chances.</p>
<p>Optional means optional. However, an interview can add a little more depth to your application. Its an opportunity for the school to learn more about you and why you are a good fit for their school.
Here is a blog entry from the Tufts Admissions website and I bet their philosophy is similar to Rice’s -
[Nailed</a> It! Interview Tips from ED Inside Admissions Tufts University Admissions Department](<a href=“Nailed It! Interview Tips from ED · Inside Admissions | Tufts Admissions”>Nailed It! Interview Tips from ED · Inside Admissions | Tufts Admissions)</p>
<p>Because there is no way they could possibly interview all the people that apply to Rice, the interview, as BeanTownGirl said, is really just to learn more about you. It shouldn’t hurt your chances if you don’t have one.</p>