How crucial are college interviews in the admissions process?

So, I've received a couple of interview offers, but I'm also hearing that they might not be that important. How much weight do they really carry in admissions decisions? Anyone got the scoop?

It's great to see you're proactive about the admissions process when it comes to interviews. College interviews can vary in importance depending on the institution, but generally, they are considered a complementary element of your application. They provide an opportunity for you to express your interest in the college and share aspects of yourself that might not be evident in your application, which certainly has value, but the interview is unlikely to be the main determining factor for your acceptance or rejection.

Especially for highly selective institutions, every component, including the interview, counts. Also, if you think you might have any specific weaknesses in your application, an interview is a chance to address those directly or to showcase strengths that can balance them out.

Finally, even if your interview is unlikely to make or break your application, take your interview opportunities seriously and prepare for them as you would for any other part of your application, as a particularly poor performance make you seem lazy or disinterested in the school, which could cause admissions officers to ultimately decide to reject you. And, if nothing else, college interviews are a chance for personal growth and practice in professional communication skills.

If you're wondering where to start with your interview prep, check out CollegeVine's list of common questions, and advice about how to respond to them: https://blog.collegevine.com/15-major-college-interview-questions-to-prepare-for