Do all universities require interviews for applicants?

I'm starting to look into universities and noticed that some mention interviews. Do a lot of universities require them, or can you get into some schools without having to do an interview? Just curious about how common this is.

The practice of conducting interviews varies widely among universities. Some colleges and universities offer interviews as part of the application process, but they're often not mandatory, just strongly encouraged. Examples include MIT and Georgetown, which have extensive alumni networks to conduct interviews. If offered an interview at these schools, it's usually a good idea to take up the opportunity since it demonstrates interest.

However, many universities, even among the most selective, do not offer interviews at all. For example, Vanderbilt University and Johns Hopkins University do not offer interviews. They have found that they can still make fair and accurate admissions decisions without them.

At smaller liberal arts colleges, interviews are often more common, and could play a greater role because these schools value aspects like building close-knit communities.

In all cases, if you are offered an interview, it's a good idea to take advantage of the opportunity -- it's one more way to show the admissions office your interest and who you are beyond your applications. Just remember to prepare by timely scheduling the interview, researching the school, and thinking about what questions you want to ask.

However, not receiving an interview offer doesn't negatively impact your application. In many cases, interviews are based on factors like geographic region and volunteer availability. Those who don't get an interview typically aren't penalized and are still fully considered for admission.

That being said, I would definitely recommend checking each university's admissions webpage or getting in touch with their admissions office for the most accurate information regarding interviews.