<p>I had my interview with a Tufts alumnus this past week and it went really well. I was wondering what is the weight of the interview in the admission process. Is it simply to boost the students who are on the border? Does it help establish those who will get merit scholarships? What does it actually determine?</p>
<p>Good schools like Tufts don’t give merit scholarship because everyone is “of merit” (e.g. everyone is smart). But they do give financial aid based on need. Interviews don’t necessarily hurt or help you. They are a way to give any additional insight about you to the University. But with Tufts, that’s usually taken care of via your application and the essays.</p>
<p>I always found interviews as a way for not only the school to get to know you slightly better (or anything that’s in addition to your application) but also a way for a student to get a perspective on a school (ask questions, get a vibe, etc.). </p>
<p>I think a lot of people view interviews as something that will give them a leg up or that they have to do in order to have a chance (or even boost their chances). The correct way is to look at it as a chance to learn more about the school and the school to learn about you.</p>
<p>A lot of “good” colleges give merit aid. Tufts just isn’t one of them. But, yes, it’s true that Tufts gives only need-based aid.</p>
<p>I know that at my alma mater, alumni interviews carry very little weight. I suspect the same is true at Tufts. It makes sense if you think about it. The process is very decentralized. People all over the country, and some abroad, are conducting these interviews with no real oversight, and writing them up with no real oversight. Why would AdComs want to place too much emphasis on a process they cannot manage, control or standardize?</p>