<p>hey guys,</p>
<p>so i just recieved an email from an alum to do an interview. I just wanted to know if someone who has taken an interview with an Upenn alum can tell me about the questions they asked them and how the interview went. Im very psyched but also very nervous!</p>
<p>So does UPenn contact you for an interview? Because I don’t know if I have to request one or if they will tell me. On their website, I saw interviewers for each area and this was the only Ivy where I saw something like this, so idk what to do. I live in NJ btw.</p>
<p>You will be emailed regarding interviews with alumni, and remember, only half of all applicants get one. Getting one (or not) is not indicative of admission into the university, as I didn’t get an interview, but still got in ED. Another applicant from my school DID get an interview but was rejected!</p>
<p>Ok thanks, so I don’t have to personally request an interview?</p>
<p>Nope; in fact (and this post goes out to all Penn Applicants), I believe you cannot request an interview, no matter how much you want one (and I desired one very very badly, so I sympathize!).</p>
<p>If you want an interview, you may contact the head of your local alumni committee and they will try and fit you in:
[Penn</a> Admissions: Secondary School Committee Interviews](<a href=“http://www.admissions.upenn.edu/applying/iregion.php?region=nj]Penn”>http://www.admissions.upenn.edu/applying/iregion.php?region=nj)</p>
<p>My interview was very conversational. She asked general questions about “why penn,” my family, activities I participated in, etc. From there we talked about topics related to my activities and intended major, like tissue engineering, stem cell research, and medicine. I also asked her a ton of questions: about social life at penn, her time there, and her career (she was a resident at the local hospital). In all, it lasted an hour, but we covered a lot of ground since we both talked very quickly (it was nice not having someone to tell you to slow down when you get excited about something). </p>
<p>If you meet somewhere public, make sure to exchange cell phone numbers in case anything goes wrong (e.g. traffic making you late).</p>
<p>SchmecktEs</p>
<p>Thanks for the reply. Im not sure if its a little too late to exchange phone numbers since I already told my Alum what date I wanted to meet with her. She did give me the number to the Starbucks where we will be meeting though.</p>
<p>Do you know if the alum people usually recieve have a similar major to the one they intend to study? I think it will be a lot easier for me to ask questions if my alum has been studying the same field I want to go into. Furthermore, did you find any of the questions to be difficult or confusing? Ive been looking up interview questions and preparing answers but I think that’s just because I don’t want to stumble upon a question. I guess this isnt a great question because it can depend on the Alum as well, since they make their own questions. Unless you know for sure that they are given a standard list of questions.</p>
<p>I do know that Penn tells your local alumni committee your intended major so they will try and pair you up with someone similar, depending on how many candidates they have to get through. For me, my interviewer started with the same major as me (ChemE) but soon transferred to communications/architecture because she found out she detested engineering. </p>
<p>My interviewer was pretty chill, she didn’t have a list with her and she wasn’t taking notes–she stated she merely wanted to get a sense of who I was (to better write her note on me to the admissions committee) and to be a source of information about the school. I believe Penn states that this interview is informational in nature rather than evaluative since they can only interview half the applicants. Your interviewer shouldn’t ask you any difficult questions (like, they won’t ask you about your opinion of Keysenian economics unless you open the door by expressing a profound interest in economics). The only weird question was when she asked me outright what political party I supported out of the blue and I kind of choked on my coffee because that seemed like a taboo area for an interview. </p>
<p>This would be a good time to talk about quirks or accomplishments you didn’t put in your app–maybe you’re an avid reader and read an obscene number of books over the summer. The alum can pass this along to the adcom which will enable them to get a fleshed out view of your personality. So if your interview went anything like mine, I wouldn’t worry about it too much. It was awkward at times, yet still an enjoyable experience and she told me she’d write a good report.</p>
<p>thank you for all your help :]</p>