<p>I applied to Harvard this year, one of 4 people in my rural school that did. Over the past few months all of my friends received an alumni interview for Harvard, I didn't. I didn't think too much of it, after all, the interview isn't that big of a deal. I figured that since I live in a rural community, there were very few alumni representatives available to give me an interview. But one teacher, and a few friends I've talked to suggested- though they didnt directly say it- that it is quite possible that the reason I didn't receive an interview was because- to just give you the short of it- my application already rejected. I thought they were joking, but after allowing those comments slowly eat away at me, I'm starting to think that their opinions may hold quite a bit of ground.
So my question to you is: Since I didn't receive an interview-while my 3 other friends did- can I count out Harvard?</p>
<p>Harvard makes an attempt to interview everyone regardless of the competitiveness of their application. At least that’s the party line and what I’ve heard on these forums.</p>
<p>An interviewer like Northstarmom should be able to answer your question, though I seem to recall that she has before in this forum.</p>
<p>Hey Omarkhan, </p>
<p>So I happened to have interviewed someone who attended my old high school a while ago; from the applicant, I found out that 3 other students also applied. However, she was the only student from my high school that I was assigned to interview and I have no idea if the other 3 were interviewed or by who. If you live in an area that doesn’t have a high number of alum interviewers, it’s entirely possible that they simply just don’t have enough interviewers. </p>
<p>In any case, there could be a number of other explanations. I highly doubt (though I can’t be entirely sure) that your lack of an interview thus far was because your application was already eliminated.</p>
<p>for yale, out of the 3 applicants, the 2 others got interviewed in town. I was the only one who was waiting for mine… turns out I was assigned to someone 3 hours away. It was prob because of my last name (w). Each interviewer usually states how many they want to interview- in this case that person only wanted 2. too bad for me- except i think my interview (despite the travel) was pretty awesome. 
It’s just the luck of the draw/ last name.</p>
<p>"Harvard makes an attempt to interview everyone regardless of the competitiveness of their application. At least that’s the party line and what I’ve heard on these forums.</p>
<p>An interviewer like Northstarmom should be able to answer your question, though I seem to recall that she has before in this forum."</p>
<p>I’ve been in charge of regional alumni interviews for my region for Harvard. How people get assigned interviewers and when they get assigned interviewers is fairly random. It is true that Harvard tries to interview all U.S.-based applicants.</p>
<p>Some alumni interviewers would tell me that they only wanted to interview students from certain high schools or with certain prospective majors. Most of the alum interviewers I had were in fields like the social sciences, yet most of the applicants in my region were planning to major in science. In general, my social science alum preferred not to interview prospective science majors possibly because social science didn’t feel that they had as much in common with the science majors, and wouldn’t be able to full appreciate their science fair projects, etc.</p>
<p>Consequently, I was able to assign prospective social science majors before I could assign the prospective science majors to interviewers.</p>
<p>It’s important, too, to realize that when you get interviewed depends on the interviewers’ schedules. Some interviewers schedule interviews right away after they are assigned students; others wait until the last minute, which means mid March…</p>
<p>I’m an international, and when I wrote to Harvard asking about the lack of an interview, they replied to me saying that they’ll only be interviewing people in my country if they need additional information from them, and the lack of an interview doesn’t affect an application. Maybe they have the same policy for your area/country/etc?</p>
<p>Harvard interviews have been really confusing. Tey are not even looking at ‘regions’ in India. I know a guy who got an interview from someone a hundred kilometers away. His stats weren’t all that bright either, though you never really say without seeing the essay :-/
Lets hope Northstarmom can throw some light on the international interviews too :)</p>
<p>I have never heard anything official from Harvard about international interviews other than the same info that is posted on their site. </p>
<p>However, considering the large number of international applicants and the small number of alum interviewers abroad, I assume that international students who get interviews are more likely to be those whom Harvard is seriously considering for admission. That doesn’t mean that getting an interview, however, means someone will definitely be admitted nor does it mean that those not getting interviews will be rejected. There probably aren’t enough interviewers to meet with all of the international students Harvard seriously is considering.</p>
<p>^ Thank you for the info I hope I manage to get one…</p>
<p>Thanks everyone for your help and tips! I just got a call from an interviewer today. He was assigned to interview me several months ago, but he simply forgot about it! haha, well, my interview is tomorrow. Thanks again everyone, you’ve all been very helpful!</p>
<p>Congrats on getting your contact, and good luck acing that interview!</p>
<p>I still haven’t been contacted yet. 
The waiting game goes on.
I’d actually kind of rather not do one, even though all my interviews so far have gone absolutely marvelously. It’s just kind of stressful to me. I don’t want lack of one to hurt my app, though, so I’m crossing my fingers that I get that call or email sometime…</p>
<p><em>still waiting and hoping</em></p>