They actually addressed this in a podcast from 2021. They felt that on campus interviews gave a huge advantage, and were only really available to those who could afford to travel. So they made their process more efficient and leveled the playing field at the same time. It was intentional. And you are correct. The insight to make the change was born from the pandemic experience.
The fun part for us was that Dana Anselmi was also a guest on the podcast. She was at Berkshire at the time, but is now at St. Paul’s. My son and I really enjoyed meeting her and it was funny to hear her voice again.
It is a three part series, and I forget which episode the Choate rep discusses the interview policy change: