D was contacted by a Penn alumni and an interview has been scheduled. Those who have gone through this experience, please share your experience and any insights about what one should expect. Any tips?
Thanks in advance for your input!
1 tip is to be able to answer the question, "why UPenn?" should the question arise. As an interviewer for another Ivy, I think of this as the most important over anything else. In my 5 years as an interviewer, not a single applicant was able to come up with anything remotely considered a decent answer to this #1 "fitness" question, incredible as it sounds. WHY does your child want to go to UPenn in particular and not any other schools? If your child can answer that, then your D would be in good shape. Of course, your D, I'm sure, is also interested in other schools since UPenn isn't a sure thing, but your D needs convincing reasons why UPenn is a great fit like no other.
Having said that, interviews don’t make or break your D’s admissions chances. My son didn’t even have an interview with UPenn, yet was admitted, so that ought to tell you how much weight these interviews carry. As long as your D knows why she wants UPenn, then she can just relax, be herself and enjoy the rest of the interview session. If she really interested in UPenn, then I’m sure she’d have a set of questions about UPenn – unlike 99.9% of the kids that I’ve interviewed over the years – and that’d demonstrate her “interest” in UPenn. If she’s really really and genuinely interested in UPenn, then she’d have a simple courtesy of sending a thank you email shortly after the interview session, unlike so many kids that I’ve interviewed.
My son applied RD for M&T last year and had an interview within about 2 weeks of submitting his application. His interview was with a woman from our area that had graduated from the M&T program about 7 years ago. They met at our local library. My son said it was a very informal conversation where the interviewer wanted to know why he was interested in Penn and especially the M&T program. ( I agree with TiggerDad about “Why this college/university” being the #1 question your child will be asked on any interview. My son went on 6 interviews and was asked this question at every single one). She also asked him about various activities he had done in high school and how could he see himself continuing those things at Penn. He asked her what she liked about Penn and especially what she had thought of the M&T program and why she had chosen to go there instead of another college. Overall he said it was a very relaxed conversation and he really enjoyed talking to her. I know he was told for the M&T program the interview weighs alot for your application. I would assume it is the same for the other programs too.
The interview itself lasted about an hour. My son dressed business casual eventhough they met in a library. He brought a copy of his resume in a business folder just in case she asked for it, which she did not.
My son’s interviewer contacted him via email so make sure your child is checking that every day and replying promptly. My son did send his interviewer a thank you email after the interview. She was also the first one to contact him and congratulate him on his acceptance to M&T at Penn. He is currently enrolled there and is loving it.
A few tips… make sure your child arrives a few minutes early to the interview. Being late is not the first impression you want the interviewer to have. Dress appropriately for the interview. Business casual is always a safe way to go. The interview is for your child, not the parent. So do not go in with your child.
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For sure have a good answer to the “why Penn” question, and not “it’s a great school.” Have specifics!
Also come prepared to ask the interviewer questions about their experience at Penn.
I agree with previous posters that your child should have a solid answer as to “Why Penn.” My D was also asked about her high school activities and why she chose them. Sincere answers matter here. Your child should be able to articulate why Penn is a great college fit for her. Also, prepare a few questions for the interviewer; D’s interviewer was eager to chat about her experiences at Penn. Best of luck to your daughter.
@Sush2016 Thanks for starting a new thread. Just to confirm, the only email to the applicant is from the interviewer? Nothing directly from UPenn? It has been just about 3 weeks since he submitted, but we do live in a small town.
@SlowLorises, yes the e-mail is directly from the interviewer. Not from Penn.
Be able to answer the statement: Tell me a little about yourself. This can include academic and extracurricular interests, what makes you unique, etc. Your common app essay topic could be applicable. This is typically the first thing in the interview.
The interview is mostly casual, but dress nice for it. Be able to talk about interests in Penn like specific academic programs, classes, activities that you might be interested in.
Be ready to ask the interviewer questions at the end such as their favorite tradition, clubs that they were involved in, if Penn alumni helped them with networking, etc.
Don’t be overly formal, but not too casual either. The interviewer’s purpose is to put a face on what your personality is like and how interested you are in the college. It can also help you answer questions that you have not found online.
I haven’t received my interview yet. Any suggestion if I should contact admissions about this. It is over a month after my application has been submitted.
I don’t know when UPenn’s ED decision is going to be announced, but if it’s sometime around mid-Dec, perhaps give it another week. Many interviewers are extremely busy professionals, so not as punctual as you’d like. It doesn’t hurt to contact their admission office. However, keep in mind that, should you end up not having an interview session, it doesn’t affect your admission chances. My son applied RD to UPenn, was never contacted for an interview (and he didn’t contact UPenn for one), and was accepted still. That should tell you something about the interview’s weight in the overall admissions picture.
@TiggerDad Thanks! Your reply gives me confidence. I was feeling very restless checking my email every minute. Was very confused whether or not to contact Admissions. I will wait. Hopefully not getting interview will not hurt my application.