<p>Based on results of acceptances/rejections/waitlists for my D, I'd have to say that if the interviewer is actually one of the two/three people who'll be reading your application, that's a leg up. In D's case, she tracked much better where the interviewer was the region rep who'd be one of the people reading her app, compared to where the interviewer was an alum or other admissions staff member. Maybe this is just a random data point. Anyone else speculate on this?</p>
<p>I think if you're a charismatic person it certainly helps to have an interviewer read your app. It also gives your app a more personal feel than it might get from a senior or alum interviewer, which never hurts.</p>