<p>On Vanderbilt's website it says that interviews are not required, but should I still have an interview? Vanderbilt is my number one choice and a really want to get in. However, I am introverted and not very outgoing. I also get nervous.<br>
Here are some of my stats if these help:
Highest ACT Scores:
Composite: 34
English: 36
Math: 33
Reading: 32
Science: 34
GPA:
Unweighted: 4.0
Weighted: 4.296
School doesn't rank but in top 10%
I am not going to go into deep detail about my ECs but I play three sports, am the secretary of a club, involved in other clubs, do service, the normal stuff
My teacher recs are AMAZING!
I am interested in Biomedical Engineering.
As for showing interest in the school, I visited Vanderbilt my junior year. I applied to the Cornelius Vanderbilt Scholarship, and have talked to my regional rep when visiting my school and have contancted him through email with some questions. </p>
<p>I suppose an interview can only enhance your application, however, I don’t think it’s really your choice. I inquired at the admissions office (I am applying ED II) and was told that I would be contacted after I submitted my application if an alumni was available for interview in my area. So if you’re contacted, of course take the interview, but if not it won’t hurt your chances.</p>
<p>Ditto to above. It’s definitely not necessary–> Interviews at Vanderbilt (from what i’ve picked up over the past year and a couple months) are definitely geared more for the student. It’s for you to get a feel for Vanderbilt and what it’s about, but I’m sure that the interviewers also say a little bit in their evaluations about whether or not the student is a good fit for Vanderbilt.</p>
<p>It can’t hurt to interview, and as said above, it can only help your application! It doesn’t hurt at all if you don’t. If you really want to know a little more about the school, I really think it’s better to talk to students to get a feel for it’s current “scene” than it is to talk to some alumni that may have graduated a decade or more ago! Just my opinion though.</p>
<p>My D did not interview and was admitted (after being wait listed). If someone calls you for an interview, I wouldn’t turn it down, but I don’t think you need to seek it out.</p>
<p>In all honesty, interviewing is more about you learning about the school than the other way around. Of course, interviews <em>can</em> push you over the edge if you were there (similar to talking to a professor may persuade him to bump your grade up to an A- from an 89.2) but at the same time, is neither required nor necessary. I got CV Scholar without interviewing at all (it was a rather large surprise haha), if that assuages any fears.</p>
<p>I think you should, if you think it will help you. I mean, someone who asks for an interview might still have a slight edge on someone who doesn’t request one. But if you feel as if it will jeopardize your application in anyway, don’t. If you think you can be comfortable around someone from the school, answer with clear and bright answers just like your application, then go for it. If you think you can handle it, don’t hesitate.</p>