This might be a stupid question, but do Penn alumni interviewers get to take a look at ones application prior to the interview?
Do you think one should mention legacy status at Penn? In response to a standard question like “Why Penn? How did you first hear about Penn?”
(https://www.alumni.upenn.edu/s/1587/gid2/16/interior.aspx?sid=1587&gid=2&pgid=8156&sitebuilder=1&contentbuilder=1)
Or would the interviewer not want to hear that?
No, the only thing interviewers see is your contact info, your high school, the school you applied to, and the major you listed.
When you’re asked “Why Penn?,” it’s perfectly fine to mention that the school was always on your radar as your parents are alums, and you’ve been to reunions etc., but you need to substantiate it further with why you want to go to Penn.
Might be obvious, but make sure you know their school/major/year.
You can mention your parent’s legacy status if it comfortably fits into the conversation you are having (ex. it is fine if you say it is one reason you know about Penn – but be sure to also have reasons why the school is the right fit for you). but I see no need to shoehorn it in – admissions officers will have that information.
I’m an interviewer. I wouldn’t want to hear it in the context of “just so you know, I’m a legacy” or something like that. But if the genuine answer to ‘why Penn’ begins with first learning about it from your dad AND THEN doing more research and finding XYZ, that’s fine.
@rebeccar Thanks! That was my concern, but the way I phrased it was more so in the latter situation u described
I think they have to have some kind of screening… would they really offer an interview to an applicant with an ACT of 17 and a 2.2 GPA? I don’t mean the interviewer reading it the but at least the admissions office, to determine whether or not it would even be worth the alumnus’ time to interview the applicant.
^ “Typically, more than 90% of applicants are offered an interview, depending on volunteer availability.” That’s not presecreening.
OP, good answers here. You had the interview yet or you’re referring to a Why Us?
@lookingforward I posted here before the interview, I have since had the interview…
Best luck to you.