<p>On their website, CMU says that they consider the interview "demonstrated interest." Will it look bad if I choose not to request and interview? (like to the degree of MIT where those who choose not to interview are accepted at a much lower percentage) I don't mind interviewing if it is the type that is "suggested" (but really all but required) but if it is not that big of a deal I might not (winter with SciOly meetings, work, volunteering, and track meets and practices is my busiest time of year). (PS I am applying to CIT for undecided engineering, most likely leaning towards Mech.)</p>
<p>I find the whole alumni interview process to be really silly - half the time the alumni graduated upwards of 10, 15 years ago and their knowledge isn’t current or helpful. There is a small portion of 5% of interviewers (like RacinReaver, I’d imagine) who really actually know what’s going on with campus and are aware of programs and activities outside what they did at school. Most of the information I was offered during my interviews was stuff anyone could’ve found after three minutes on Google.</p>
<p>That said: Arrange an interview. Seriously. All I’ll say is that ‘demonstrated interest’ is being tracked electronically to some extent this application period, and an alumni interview usually runs you about one hour of time. They could care less how the interview actually goes, unless you gun down your interviewer and then burn down the Starbucks you meet at. But it would be really silly to leave that loose end hanging-- that one blank box-- if admission to CMU is your goal. It probably won’t change your chances of admission drastically, but if there is anything about you that is unclear (for example your essay was less self-reflective than most) evidence shows that admissions often turns to your interview to get a better look at what you’re like as a person.</p>
<p>tldr; Get an interview unless you’re the spawn of Carl Sagan and somehow a shoe-in genius. It can only help you out.</p>
<p>Yeah, CMU doesn’t count the opinion of the interviewer at all, and it’s really supposed to be just a time for you to learn more about the school if you don’t have the opportunity to visit. Usually when I do my interviews I try to stay away from stuff that can be easily looked up on the website and talk more about the intangibles of campus and the surrounding area of Pittsburgh.</p>