<p>I’ve searched and searched for threads/posts that talk about the VALUE of the Penn interview, and I can’t seem to find one that goes in-depth about the interview’s value. I know that many get into Penn without an interview, but how would you rate the interview… more informative, more evaluative, or both? I have my interview this Friday and I’m wondering whether I am stressing out too much about something that probably won’t tip my decision either way. I’m a mediocre candidate (for Penn), and I’m wondering how this will affect me or anybody else.</p>
<p>The fact that you complete an interview shows your interest in the school. As long as you look like a reasonable candidate to the interviewer, it will not hurt you. I would go ahead and complete the interview, without stressing out too much about it. Most interviewers are recent graduates, who are easy to talk to, are aware that you're probably going to be nervous, and want to help you succeed.</p>
<p>I applied ED and I aced my interview. My interviewer told me that I was one of the best she had ever seen and she said that Penn asks interviewers to submit an additional letter if they feel that the candidate is the "cream of the crop." She submitted such a letter for me. I was still deferred, however, so I don't think the interview means much--even if you are an amazing interviewee.</p>
<p>The interview is optional and it is intended to offer an additional dimension to the admissions committee and a point of local contact for the applicant. It will never make or break an application, but it might be one more piece of information that an admissions officer cites in support of his/her own recommendation. Remember that interviewers do this as volunteers and, while given general guidance, develop their own style and approach. Would you put 100% trust in the opinion of someone you do not know well? Of course not. The interview is one more piece of information. Having interviewed for a very long time, I can tell you that what the interviewer does not see matters much more than what we do. Look at the interview as an opportunity to help your application by coming prepared with questions about the school, being relaxed and well-presented, and looking to enjoy the company of the person who has attended a school in which you are very interested. Keep in mind, as well, that the majority of the interviewers really enjoy meeting applicants, and wish you great future success. The quality of the students applying to these schools is really impressive and the hard part is knowing that the admissions committee will not be able to offer admission to everyone.</p>
<p>nimby58, I'm just curious, in your case how often has someone been accepted even though you weren't that impressed in the interview? Do you find out who gets in afterwards?</p>
<p>Yes, I do find out whether the students I interview are accepted, rejected, waitlisted, deferred, etc. I do not find out until after the applicant is notified by Penn. </p>
<p>And yes, it is sometimes the case that someone I thought was top notch is not accepted and someone I had real reservations about is admitted. Most of the time, though, I think that Penn makes solid choices among many, many really good candidates. When Penn and I do not match up, I suspect that someone really great in person is not shining as brightly on their application--most likely because their academic record is not as competitive. Or, conversely, that someone really excels academically and is either making a minimal effort during the interview or has some other really strong negative characteristic that would not be reflected on paper. Again though--if I'm a member of the admissions committee, a strong negative might give me pause, but I would have to consider the whole picture. There is always a possibility that the interviewee was having a bad day or that the interviewer and interviewee did not fit well together. An interviewer could find these sorts of results disappointing, but we cannot know the whole story and you have to accept that if you're going to be a successful interviewer. </p>
<p>That said, I do try to do my bit to render a thoughtful evaluation and I am not hesitant to sing the praises of someone especially great or be direct about someone about whom I have reservations.</p>
<p>By the way, as you can probably tell from my posts, I am a believer in making an applicant feel comfortable and in demystifying the process. I start out my interviews telling the applicant that the interview will not "make or break" their application--that it is a way for Penn to discover more about what an applicant is like in person and for the student to meet a local person who has attended Penn and who is able to answer some of their questions. I know that this process is inherently stressful and I try not to add to it.</p>
<p>Nimby58 - Thanks for that post, I think a lot of people would be interested to read that. Also, when do you interview until, and is there ever any way that people request an interview (if they are not contacted first)? Thanks, this is really interesting to get your feedback.</p>
<p>I obviously am not nimby, but I requested an interview yesterday and recieved it via phone. I believe it's ok to request an interview, it simply shows the AdCom that you are interested in their school.</p>
<p>When you do not get contacted for an interview, it is only because there is no one available to do it in your area. That may be because no one who volunteers lives nearby or because those who do volunteer have more applicants than they can handle. It has nothing to do with the quality of your candidacy for admission. Just as the application is need blind--the interviews are quality blind. It's just a manpower issue. Because not every one has an equal chance to be interviewed, it can only carry so much weight.</p>
<p>As for the timeline--interviewers are asked to complete their work by the middle of February--no later than the end of the month. If evaluations arrive after that, there is no guarantee that they will be considered.</p>