Interview policies vary from school to school. Some programs require one. Others grant interviews by invitation only, while still others do not offer interviews at all. Be sure you understand interview requirements and how your interview will be used in the application process.

Even if an interview is not required, it can be a great way to gain firsthand information about the school’s environment, facilities, students, and faculty. That knowledge can help you make an informed decision later on.

An interview is also an excellent opportunity for you to demonstrate your interpersonal skills to admissions staff. There is no substitute for presenting yourself in person and building rapport with a school representative.

You are responsible for making arrangements to interview. Make sure you schedule your appointment early enough to complete the application and meet schools’ deadlines.

If possible, you should schedule an on-campus interview. A person who takes the extra time and money to visit a campus is demonstrating a serious commitment to the program. If you cannot schedule an on-campus interview, and off-campus interview is preferable to having none at all.

Some schools may offer off-campus interviews. These interviews may take place at a corporate office, a hotel, or some other venue and may be conducted by admissions staff, alumni, or other school representatives.

Schools that interview only by invitation tend to be highly selective and/or may have very large applicant pools. They often seek interviews to clarify aspects of candidates’ applications. During the interview, watch for early signs of any concerns on the part of the interviewer and try to address these as best you can. You can also ask what prompted the school’s interest in your application.

When an interview is required as part of the admissions process, the school is looking for additional insight into you as a candidate. Mandatory interviews are a strong hint that:

• the program is measuring your interpersonal skills
• cultural fit is relatively important in the admissions decision
• the school is concerned with what personal strengths and contributions you can offer

Be prepared to market your strengths and address your weaknesses, especially as compared to published information about an applicant pool.

With some mandatory interviews, you have the option of meeting in person or conducting the interview over the phone. An in-person interview is generally recommended because you can develop rapport, demonstrate your interpersonal skills, get more feedback to help you determine fit, or simply to convey how serious you are about a particular program.

Interviews may be a marketing tool for the school. They are a good way for admissions professionals to educate you about the merits of their programs. Such interviews are usually optional, but you should take advantage of them if possible.

Keep in mind that even if a school is using the optional interview as a marketing tool, it is still an opportunity for you to make a good impression. Admissions staff may use the optional interview to gauge your interest in their school. These interviews allow you to make a personal connection, talk about your qualifications, and demonstrate interest in the school.

Some programs will grant interviews by candidate request. If this is the case, you should take advantage of the opportunity to sell yourself and get valuable information firsthand from admissions representatives. 

Some schools will not grant interviews at all. These programs tend to have very large applicant pools and have neither the staff nor the time to interview all potential applicants.