<p>I'm applying to USC this yr and I'm going to major in Violin Performance. I wanted to know if whether or not I should also interview at the school. They don't require it for music majors but I was wondering would it benefit me or not?</p>
<p>Don’t you have to audition for a performance major?</p>
<p>Yes, I do.</p>
<p>The official word on admissions-staff interviews is they are information-only, meaning they do not play into evaluation for admission at all. So you cannot do yourself any real good by having the interview, but could you do harm? Not sure. That’s all for general admission (Dornsife), though. Often the talent-based Schools like Roski (art), Thornton (music), SoT (School of Theatre), School of Cinematic Arts (SCA) etc, will have a portfolio or audition component, and that tends to be part of the evaluation–sometimes a large part. </p>
<p>So, in trying to answer your original question, the regular interview that might be scheduled with the Dornsife admissions office is not a big deal. Since the school does not require interviews, nor do they have space to offer interviews to all applicants, it wouldn’t be fair for them to put any weight on those meetings. So it’s up to you there.</p>
<p>More important will be your audition (and your submissions–if a pre-recorded audition tape is required).</p>
<p>Best of luck!</p>
<p>If you’re particularly outgoing, I don’t see how an interview would hurt you. I know that SAY it doesn’t affect it, but I am sure a good/great interview will make your name pop back into the head of the admissions counselor when he/she sees your application up for review during the admissions process.</p>
<p>If you’re not the talking type or don’t come off well in person, I wouldn’t push for an interview.</p>
<p>For Thornton and other schools, the admission counselor at the general interview is not making admit decisions since Thornton, SCA, Marshall, SoT, etc have their own admissions officers and procedures which come first.</p>
<p>I agree with Zelda that there is no harm in coming in and talking. If you are applying to a back-up major or as undecided, many questions can be answered. But in truth, the admissions process is not affected by these interviews. The interviewers are nice and, of course, when they meet a wonderful applicant in person they may really root for you. However, great and worthy candidates for USC as for most desirable and highly selective universities stand out on quantifiable merits (GPA, rigor of HS coursework, SAT or ACT score, LORs, ECs, national/regional awards, work experience, challenges overcome) and by their displayed talents (auditions, etc). If all those are solid, you will be in great shape.</p>