Does the college interview really count?

Just how much the interview really counts depends on the college in many ways. Some colleges offer interviews simply for an informational exchange - they want to hear more about your interest in them and they want to be able to answer any questions you have - while others use it very much in an evaluative sense where it becomes a part of your application. The best way you can determine how a college will count your interview is to read up on their application requirements on their website as most schools are rather clear about their policy. However, after you've done that, if it's still unclear, call or email your admissions representative.