<p>How important is the interview? For instance, would it ever be THE deciding factor for an applicant or is it typically just used to shed more light on an applicant?
Is it possible to have a second interview?</p>
<p>Background: I originally intended to apply early, and thus had my interview way back in the beginning of September. I didn’t feel like I really “wow”-ed my EC, but it didn’t go badly either so I didn’t think much of it. However, as Senior year began to pick up, a LOT happened in a short while, ultimately resulting in my never applying early and also, feeling as if I’ve changed a good deal even since the interview in September. The “LOT” that’s been happening also took a heavy toll on my first quarter grades, and even though I believe they’ll be up by second quarter and also I’ll be able to reflect on what’s been happening in my application, I feel as if now I need to have all other aspects of my application absolutely perfect to make up for it. I know that my interview was only okay and also that I’ve changed even since then, so I was wondering about it.</p>
<p>Can you, your counselor (or someone else, ‘in the know’) write a supplementary letter addressing both what happened, to the extent you think it necessary to disclose, as well as how it changed/shaped you as a person?</p>
<p>The interview can only be THE deciding factor if it reveals some previously unknown disqualifying trait. For example, if an interview reveals that the candidate cannot understand spoken English, then that is pretty much a showstopper. Even then, I am not completely sure. </p>
<p>I have personally had a candidate explain at the interview how he had cheated on many of his exams. I indicated that in the interview report. The student did not get in. Was my interview report determinative. I honestly haven’t the foggiest. The evidence of the candidates lack of integrity might have shown up in a wide variety of other places in the application (such as Letters of Recommendation). Or the student might not have gotten in for other reasons. I will never know.</p>
<p>I guess that I can see several situations where the interview could be THE deciding factor, but only if the candidate did or revealed something awful. Or for that matter, something exceptional (e.g. “I was impressed when he walked on water, but when he turned the water into wine, I was convinced that he could achieve great things on the MIT campus” (grin)).</p>