<p>I was called yesterday about an Alumni Interview for UPenn, but I wasn’t at home so my sister took down the person’s name and phone number. Now, I’m not too keen on interviews and I’d much rather not go through with it and all the stress of preparing for it. I realize that interviews are not mandatory so I can choose whether or not to have one. If I choose not to have an interview, should I just not call back the alumnus or should I call him and tell him that I would prefer not to have one. HELP!</p>
<p>Ummm, you always call and let them know. But it's a bad idea to not have one.</p>
<p>If you don't call, they very well might report your apparent rudeness or lack of interest in the school</p>
<p>And you don't want that...</p>
<p>Really, there is no preparation needed. Just come with some questions and thoughts. Its no big deal and fairly informal. Relax</p>
<p>yeah, like they said, it's better to just do the interview.</p>
<p>i had one at the alumni office too. the girl who interviewed me was so nice and friendly...it seriously felt like i was just talking to a friend about my interests and stuff. all the other interviewers i saw in the office seemed just as nice too.</p>
<p>as the person above me said, there's no preparation involved. and once you start, it's not that stressful at all.</p>
<p>you really should do it.</p>
<p>good luck!!!</p>
<p>Suck up your insecurity and show em what you have in the interview. As Nike says, "Just Do It."</p>
<p>Rachael,</p>
<p>If you really want to go to Penn, you should absolutely go to the interview. Most of the alumni interviews are very relaxed. Come with a few questions and a strong conviction as to why you want to attend Penn and you'll be fine.</p>
<p>look through the "official RD interview thread"...you'll see that most people had very relaxed interviews. My interview was a disaster, but it was very atypical.</p>
<p>no, you should have an interview. "preferring" not to have one just means you don't really care all that much about getting in. The only excuse for not taking one is if it's not offered to you because you live in some distant place or something. dont stress it, mine wasn't that great and I got in. just do it and stop being such a sissy.</p>
<p>Don't decline interviews. Bad idea.</p>
<p>Declining an interview sends the message that you don't really care about the school or about getting in. It just makes people think "why did he/she decline the interview? Don't they want to come here? I guess not enough..."</p>
<p>If you decline it and get accepted, I'd think long and hard about that person on the waitlist who sat through his or her interview with a smile.</p>
<p>thank you everyone for your suggestions and encouragement. i just had my interview an hour ago and it went relatively well. Not excellent, but i'm glad i went through with it. now all i can do is wait... And really, thanks for all the encouraging comments.</p>
<p><333333333 wonderful. :)</p>
<p>Well done.</p>
<p>I have my interview about 5 hours from now....at Starbucks....so nervous...</p>
<p>should i pay for the coffee or he pay?</p>
<p>I got there early. (mine was at a coffee shop) and I ordered and paid. And then she got there, ordered, and paid.</p>
<p>The interview is completely informal. Mine was with a girl who just graduated this past May. She told me that Penn doesn't really take into account what interviewers say but that she would try her best to make me look good.</p>
<p>Good luck! And remember, it can't hurt you (unless you say you want to kill babies or something).</p>