Do Universities Require Interviews for Admission?

I'm curious about the role interviews play in the college admissions process. Are interviews a common requirement for getting into universities, or are they more of an optional thing? I'm starting to look into this as I prep for college applications.

Interviews are actually quite rare in the college admissions process, especially in the context of public universities. The vast majority of schools do not require interviews, but a number of them may offer optional interviews. This includes many selective private institutions.

Optional interviews can generally be viewed as an opportunity to demonstrate your interest in a college, but they often have a limited impact on the admissions decision itself. These interviews are typically informational, meaning they're intended for you to learn more about the school. They're rarely evaluative, or considered a part of your application review.

That said, if a college offers you an interview (be it optional or recommended), it would be a good idea to take it. It provides you a chance to ask any questions you may have about the school, show your enthusiasm for it, and possibly even make a positive impression on the interviewer, who could relay that impression to the admissions office.

Don't worry if you're not offered an interview. Some colleges only have a limited number of alumni volunteers available to conduct interviews, and locations or logistic constraints may prevent them from interviewing every applicant.

However, it's important to research the individual requirements of the colleges you're interested in, because policies can vary significantly by school. For instance, Vanderbilt and Johns Hopkins do not offer interviews. Some schools may state they "strongly encourage" interviews, which essentially means they should be considered mandatory.

Remember, an interview is a two-way street; it's as much about you finding your fit at the school as it is about the school assessing your potential fit on their campus.