What does getting an interview (PA) mean?

[MexicanDr]

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Hello everyone-

What does getting an interview mean? Its factual that many applicants are not selected for an interview based on many things such as academics, not sufficient HCE, ECs, etc; but what does it really mean once a program has offered an interview to an applicant? Are academics, HCE and ECs still vital this far into the process when interviewing someone? Or what is the admissions committee looking for at this point? Why is it that some of these people interviewing get in, while others dont?

I guess I am just trying to find a general perspective on this situation.

Thanks everyone!

 

[pamac]

It means a lot more than it doesn't. For one, it means you beat out the roughly 8 out of ten other applicants and are essentially considered to have met the school's definition of what it takes to be one of their students. I've always figured that it means that you don't have to continue to justify yourself on the things that you covered in the application process already, and now is the time to cover new ground and make the case that there is even more to you than what they already know. Essentially, you already have what it takes for them to be impressed, and that got you to that point. If you just hold your own, you won't distinguish yourself further, and risk losing out to the guy next to you that is standing out. Of course you want to be yourself through that process, but my opinion is that you need to definitely expect to be your best self in that situation. I had a friend who was an alternate, and was discouraged about that. My thought to him was that basically that meant that the school wanted him, but literally didn't have the room for him to sit. That's how I feel interviews largely are... You made the cut, now you have to make them feel good about their decision to invite you there.