Yale Interviewer’s Observations (from CC)

FYI:
Here is another Yale interviewer's comments from College Confidential.
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I interviewed high school seniors for four years on behalf of the Yale Alumni Schools Committee. No applicant need lose a moment's sleep over these interviews. They play a minor part in the Admissions Committee's decisions. If Admissions has its eye on a great soccer player or a talented violinist, a lackluster interview makes no difference. It works both ways: If the interviewer finds that a candidate with lopsided test scores (some very high, some not very) turns out in person to have exceptional charm, insight, imagination and perseverance -- way beyond the average Yale applicant -- it doesn't make much difference to Admissions.

Some factors that do affect your chances, all other things (grades, test scores) being equal:

1. How many kids from your school or your geographic region applied to Yale this year? (The fewer the better for you. Yale makes room for a certain number of Andover grads, for example, but will save room for the corn-fed debating genius from Kansas, the politics and theater geek from Portland and the peripatetic U.S. diplomat's daughter who never attended school on American soil.)

2. How many students with your particular scholarly and/or extra-curricular strengths applied? (Again, the fewer the better for you.).

3. How many kids with your ethnic background applied? (The more under-represented your ethnic group, the better for you.)

4. Are you a recruitment-quality athlete or musician? (If so, your chances skyrocket.)

5. Are your parents eminent in their field? (Also a big boost to your chances.)

As best I could discern, the candidates I interviewed who were eventually accepted had two or more of these factors going for them.