FAQ about open interview:
Does going to open interview improve my odds?There’s no definitive answer on this. If you think that you are borderline or Fuqua is your top choice, it is a worthy investment to visit the campus. It will show that you have strong interest in the school, which always helps, especially if you end up on the summer waitlist, when AdComs are looking for people who are super interested and are willing to pack up and move on a call’s notice. Furthermore, if you are about to drop $100+K on your education, spending a few hundred for due diligence is probably a good idea.
Is there any down side to open interview?Two potential downsides:
1) This may be your first interview, so you may not be as prepared. Thus, if you do decide on the open interview, make sure you prepared adequately ahead of time. If you think you are not prepared, only do the campus visit and wait for the interview invite.
2) Long period of uncertainty. Unlike those who wait for invites, you will not have the intermediate feedback on your candidacy in the form of an interview invite.