Do only certain college applicants get interviews?

In college applications, is it true that only some applicants are invited for interviews? I'm trying to understand how admissions teams decide who gets an interview. Does anyone have insights on this?

Yes, you're right that only certain applicants get interviews. Each college has its own policies when it comes to interviews, so it varies quite a bit.

At some colleges, interviews are by invitation, and not every applicant will be offered one. For instance, they may depend on factors such as geographic location (if they have enough alumni volunteers in the applicant's area) and timing of the application (like those who applied early may have a better chance of receiving an interview simply because colleges have more time to schedule them).

In other cases, the interview could be an optional part of the application process where students need to request one. If a college recommends an interview but does not explicitly require it, it's usually a good idea to schedule one if possible.

There could even be colleges where interviews are mandatory as part of the application process, at least for specific, highly competitive programs like BS/MD. In this case, all applicants would be expected to participate.

And there are also a few schools, such as Johns Hopkins and Vanderbilt, that do not offer interviews at all.

Ultimately, the decision to conduct interviews relies on the school's individual admissions strategy and resource availability. The best way to understand a specific school's interview policy is to refer to the admissions section of their official website or reach out to the admissions office directly.

Keep in mind that at most institutions, not getting an interview is not a negative reflection on the applicant, and likewise, having an interview is not a guarantee of admission. Instead, if you're offered an interview, you should take advantage of this opportunity to round out your application and showcase a side of yourself that might not come across elsewhere, but if you aren't offered one, don't overthink why - likely, there just wasn't anyone available in your area to interview you.

I hope this overview is helpful!