Why open interviews at Tuck, UNC, and other?

Question

What's the point? I feel that it's better to have an invitation only system because you are more confident of your chances and you met the initial cut in the eyes of school adcoms.

With an open interview system, it's like shooting in the dark. For domestic applicants like me, all that money and effort to visit the school when you probably never even stood a chance. I highly doubt an interview can sway your admission chances much. If your stats aren't up to par, you were already rejected before you stepped foot on campus. What are your thoughts?

domotron · Answer

I am not at all familiar with UNC so I can only comment on Tuck. I am an international applicant and I interviewed on campus in Hanover. While I was there, I met a guy from China who had flown in just to interview too.

I can see your point in that some people that take advantage of an open interview did not stand a chance in the first place. However, for an applicant it's also a huge opportunity. Say you would a borderline candidate. There are no guarantees that you would have been invited to interview. However by showing up and demonstrating your interest and then also doing great in the interview, that might be the extra push you need to go from a ding to WL or WL to admit. Another reason for the open interview for Tuck is that they want to make sure applicants understand the location, the culture, etc. I have heard of applicants who turn up to interview, sit in on a class and realise that the small town, small class size, etc is just not for them. For Tuck, fit is very important.

dave785 · Answer

It is a great way to show dedication. If you interview in the open period, even if you apply later on, you're sending a signal to the school that you're taking it seriously.

It's also extremely convenient. I live in California, but I really want to go to Duke... but it's a long plane ride. By doing the open interview, I was able to tour the campus to research my essays and also get the interview out of the way, saving myself a few hundred dollars in plane tickets/lodging.

Another reason for the open interview is that the school has an early action round... this lets schools keep this round shorter than the other rounds because it will only have to approve or reject the applications (one stage) rather than choose which ones to interview and then, afterwards, which ones to accept (two stages).

jeffdill · Answer

I really think these schools do it to weed out the people who aren't serious about pursuing the school. I agree that it sucks not knowing if the interview was ultimately pointless if your profile wouldn't make the cut regardless, but on the other hand, it also gives you a chance to sell yourself in-person. I was denied from Wharton and Columbia without an interview and I feel like my chances would have been better had I been able to meet face to face with someone.

Why open interviews at Tuck, UNC, and other?

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