<p>I know that student interest isn't an admission factor here, but how heavily is the interview weighted? (William and Mary is one of my top choices, and last summer I interviewed). Is the interview importance similar to essays? How much does it help an OOS applicant? Thanks:)</p>
<p>Interviews are one part of the puzzle. They can certainly help us learn more about the applicant and they can help us to understand how an applicant might contribute to W&M. Just like the essay or SATs or any other part of the application, the interview alone will not be the deciding factor but in combination with other parts of the application can help us affirm or contradict the information garnered from the other materials. Whether your IS or OOS the interview is treated the same way and has the same impact.</p>
<p>We consider an interview akin to a recommendation only we know the recommender and the recommender knows W&M intimately (as the interviewer is a current student).</p>
<p>You are correct in that interviews are not treated as a sign of interest. We a) do not track interest and b) know that not everyone can make it to campus for an interview which is why they are optional</p>
<p>I suggest keeping an eye on the W&M admissions website for details about the summer of 2011 interviews. Unless the process has changed, I think you can sign up for an interview online starting May 1st. Signing up as soon as possible is a good idea, especially if you’ll have a summer job or program that limits your travel time. I believe that the number of available slots fills quickly.</p>
<p>Frazzeled is right. Any current high school junior/rising high school senior can sign up for interviews online at [William</a> & Mary - You’ve Applied, So Now What?](<a href=“http://www.wm.edu/admission/interviews]William”>http://www.wm.edu/admission/interviews) as of May 1, 2011. Interviews are offered Monday - Friday beginning June 20 and ending August 12 (we will be closed on July 4). As of May 1, all appointments become available and are filled on a first-come, first-serve basis. Generally, our interview appointments become completely full by early July but certain dates fill up faster than others.</p>