| "Interviews on campus are very important, those with alums much less so (although you'll read various opinions here about this latter claim). "
It depends on the college. Some offer on-campus interviews that are basically information -- to give info to the student, and to basically sell the student on the college.
At some colleges like Harvard, which interview mainly through alum, the alum interviews are important. At least 90% of Harvard's applicants qualify for admission according to H's dean of admissions. Consequently, the interview can help make the difference between acceptance and rejection.
An outstanding interview probably won't tip a student in, but a bad interview can keep a student out. I'm a H alum interviewer and have caught students in lies during their interviews (An advantage of alum interviews is that the alums are probably more likely to spot lies about things like ECs than admissions officers will since the alum interviewers may be very familiar with the local ECs. For instance, a student whom I interviewed claimed extensive experience with an organization that I spent a lot of time volunteering with. I'd never seen her before. I knew that if she had the experience that she had claimed, I'd have met her before. )
I've also had admissions officers contact me directly with questions related ot the interview, so I know that when it comes to H, the interviews aren't empty exercises. Students who blow them off thinking alum's opinions don't count are making big mistakes. |