In person or on paper?

Ph.D. admissions committees have a great deal to consider - and from the sound of things, growing piles of applications to wade through. In STEM disciplines, what matters more in admissions decisions - how a candidate appears on paper or how s/he comes across in person? Answer the following questions about your program. Want to share how past and current programs you've been involved with weigh these things? Just fill out the survey again for each program.