<p>We are planning to visit CMU in several weeks with our son (a senior) to check out the BCSA program and to interview. But now I am thinking that he should apply first, then visit if he gets in. His stats are good but he has weak EC's, and I don't know if he will get into SCS.
His stats are: 3.95 uw GPA, 32 ACT (will retake this fall) AP English Comp-5, AP US History & Gov-both 4's. His EC's are Symphony Orchestra, local youth orchestra-every week, gaming camps last three years,working at family business.some volunteering and orchestra pit for HS musical-60 + hours (will also do this fall) NHS. Other HS classes are mostly honors. He will have taken math through pre-cal when he graduates. He also wants to continue playing the bass in college.
Any thoughts? We want to give him the best chance of getting in-hence the interview.</p>
<p>The interview has 0% impact on whether your son gets into SCS.</p>
<p>If he’s applying to the art program - then a portfolio is required.</p>
<p>fineartsmom’s son is in this program- -she can chime in.</p>
<p>If visits are costly, then by all means don’t spend the money thinking it has any impact on admissions- he can have a “home town interview” with an alum. That shows interest as well. See admissions website on this issue.</p>
<p>I would say that unless it is truly cost-prohibitive, a campus visit before applying makes the most sense. I did the “apply first, visit upon acceptance” with my older son, and some of the schools he got accepted to, he did not like after the visit. Went a different route with S #2 and eliminated several schools. Conversely, after visiting CMU and meeting with admissions, it jumped up to his short list, and motivated him to take AP Bio senior year. He got the interviewer’s info and had some followup communications after our visit. Based on some the Chance threads, my son was by no means a “blue chipper” (good grades, ECs, low standardized test scores). In his supplemental essay (the proverbial “why CMU is perfect for me, and CMU should accept me” essay), he touched upon things that came up during the interview. From that standpoint, the interview had an indirect impact.</p>
<p>I’ve heard varying opinions on the impact of the on-campus interview. A former admissions “insider” came to my son’s school and advocated the interview. Said it can’t hurt, and may help, particularly if the student is on the “cusp” in terms of qualifications.
I have no inside knowledge, but I would tend to think that if an admissions person can recall something positive about an applicant (because of a face-to-face interview), he/she may favor the applicant, over some other, similarly qualified applicant, who never visited the school.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Usually true with alumni interviews, but not on-campus interviews. The people doing those interviews actually work for the admissions committee. If they like you and/or notice your existence, it’s highly probable it will have an effect.</p>
<p>In the case of BCSA: the CMU School of Art conducts interviews as a part of its “On-Campus Portfolio Review” process. Students applying to the BFA or BXA programs (including BCSA) are encouraged (but not required) to come to campus for a portfolio review. This personal interview – which is conducted by the School of Art professors themselves, not some administrator – can make a huge difference in whether or not a student is accepted. Admission from the School of Art is necessary, but not sufficient, however, for BCSA acceptance.</p>