interviews in college admissions

[Anonymous]

I know many Ivies have them, but how about other schools, and how important is it?

[Anonymous]

I only know about the Ivies. The interviews don't make or break a kid. The alums write a little review of the kid...not a big deal.

[Anonymous]

I do think some other universities interview as well. Or at least they did - might have been optional though? MIT and Northwestern do (or used to) I believe.

Agreed that it usually doesn't make or break an application - in my own experience with interviewing applicants.

[Anonymous]

Northwestern? Really? Man, they must think a lot of themselves.

[Anonymous]

When I applied to Georgetown in 1996 there were alumni interviews.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When I applied to Georgetown in 1996 there were alumni interviews.

For undergrad? They are over-rated anyhow.

[Anonymous]

Looks like the community college trolls are out tonight...bad mouthing all of the colleges that rejected them.

[Anonymous]

indeed

[Anonymous]

If you want to attend a college or university with a cohesive student body apply to schools that have EVALUATIVE interviews. Schools that don't have evaluative interviews tend to assemble a hodge podge group lacking synergy and anemic of spirit. Schools with evaluative interviews are much more concerned to shape genuine cohesiveness and personality within the class and in my opinion generate a much happier and healthier student body. That does not mean homogeneous. It means a diverse group fitting well together like a fine mosaic. But this can only be accomplished through a diligent interview process guided by an agenda of shaping whatever type of class the school wishes to develop.

How often would one hire a person without first interviewing them? A perfect SAT and a 4.0 combined with a manufactured essay really doesn't tell you a lot about a person other than the candidate developed the narrow skill of intense academic performance while pleasing parents and teachers. But how does this play out in the real world thereafter if not accompanied by generous people skills and other personality talents? Are they real? Some yes, but how can you know without an interview? Can they really function comfortably and cohesively within a diverse group? Are they genuinely interesting or likeable? Are they leaders? Or are they misfits? I believe these are qualities more easily determined by skilled interviewers, and often by ordinary people, or by alumni who care about the present and future of the institution.

Pay a lot of attention to schools that require an evaluative interview. They care. Those that don't don't care enough. Oxford and Cambridge require interviews and they are VERY evaluative. Top schools in the U.S. should too, and some still do. Don't be afraid of an evaluative interview. Consider it an opportunity to attend a school that cares about and understands your personality.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks for the answers. Sorry to be terse, but I don't really care if the interviews are evaluative, and I wasn't asking if it is make or break. I really just want to know about the frequency and type of school.

[Anonymous]

New poster here. I just want to say that whether the "evaluative interview" poster provided information that the OP wanted, it was very helpful for others of us. Thank you!

[Anonymous]

"Frequency" - Most schools provide interviews, most are not evaluative, they are informational for the applicant and therefore not considered or required. U.S. News & World Report "Ultimate College Guide" and the college websites give the granular detail on what each institution requires and considers.

"Type of School" - Evaluative, schools that care about individuals, how they fit within the general student body, and what chemistry they add as a person. Evaluative interviews are required interviews. Informational, schools lacking the will or resources to prioritize the fit, character, potential, and unique identity of each individual.

If you visit campuses that both do and do not conduct evaluative interviews you will notice sharp contrasts in student morale.

[Anonymous]

That's b.s. pp. The only difference with evaluative -- You'll find kids with lower SATs...that all

[Anonymous]

15:39 Negative disturbed troll on the prowl again. Obviously inexperienced and hasn't been thru the process. More interested in attacks than construtive information and dialogue. Check out schools requiring evaluative interviews and compare median SAT's against those that don't. Anyway it's not even the point that troll does not get.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:15:39 Negative disturbed troll on the prowl again. Obviously inexperienced and hasn't been thru the process. More interested in attacks than construtive information and dialogue. Check out schools requiring evaluative interviews and compare median SAT's against those that don't. Anyway it's not even the point that troll does not get.

not the PP but there is a rise in test optional schools requiring interviews. The test optional schools have higher SATs because they eliminate the lower band of scores because strudents dont submit them. So not sure you can do an apples to apples comparison.

My dc is going through the process now and most of the schools she is applying to require or strongly suggest interviews. A few selective liberal arts schools do not (e.g., Colgate). Most of the interviews have been with students - not really sure how much those count in the overall process.

Some schools are starting to offer Skype interviews to level the playing field for those who can't afford to travel to the campus.