Interviews?!?

<p>im getting really paranoid about not getting called for an interview, please post here if you also didnt get called for an interview. thanks!</p>

<p>yep! *</p>

<p>S did not get called for an interview. I wouldn't worry about it.</p>

<p>do interviews make a difference or are they more of an opportunity for the candidate to get info abt penn?</p>

<p>I got an interview but when I did I hadn't even finished the application yet. My interviewer told me that a Penn interview can never hurt your chances, only help. So if you didn't get one, don't worry too much. And if you did and think it was bad, don't worry becayse they won't look at it too much.</p>

<p>I didn't get one.</p>

<p>i got a call for an alumni interview when i didnt ask for one. i dont mind it at all, i obviously accepted the offer and set one up for monday afternoon. i think i'll interview well so i probably should have asked for one anyway.</p>

<p>i thought about it and it doesnt seem like it can hurt your chances, the people doing it dont work for the admissions office and if youre smart enough to have a realistic chance at getting in im sure you will be cogent enough to impress. they are proud alumni, im sure they cant avoid being positive if you talk about how excited you are about penn.</p>

<p>so, uh, why did i get a call even if i didnt ask for one? im sure its not a bad sign, if i was a suspect candidate they wouldnt send a non admissions employee to check me out. plus im going to get in anyway. (=</p>

<p>you don't ask for them... u just get them i have no idea what you are talking about</p>

<p>in the email my guy sent me (email and phone call) he said I requested one, so obviously you don't just get called and asking for one is an option. the guy is just an alum, maybe the school wanted to see me interview and just told the alum i requested it.</p>

<p>no interview here =/</p>

<p>nope... you def don't ask, no one on here asked... it's random... haha</p>

<p>I do alumni interviews. People are chosen randomly. Even if you did call and request one it doesn't mean you'd get one.</p>

<p>And being smart isn't enough to do well in an interview. The biggest factor for this kind of interview is being socially competent... as in being able to carry on an engaging conversation about absolutely anything about yourself.</p>

<p>Being socially awkward, lacking confidence, being too shy or quiet, giving one word responses... or giving a speech, saying "like" and "um" all the time... those kinds of things can be really really frustrating for interviewers.</p>

<p>Just relax, get comfortable, and be yourself and for the love of god, be able to answer "why Penn" with more than:
- it's ranked high
- it's close to home
- it's a good school
- I have friends there
Lots of schools can fit that description.</p>

<p>thanks whartonalum i feel a lot better now!</p>

<p>I didn't have one either, and I called the Office as I didn't know their policy. Their response was that
a. the selection is random (as many people have pointed out)
b. not everyone got one
c. the interview really isn't weighted that much because of b.; the interview is of more use to the applicant than the Office - it just adds color for them if the application is lacking</p>

<p>whartonalum. i think you are missing the point of the interview. according to reliable sources, the interview is a place for YOU to tell the student about Penn, not the other way around. "Being socially awkward, lacking confidence, being too shy or quiet, giving one word responses... or giving a speech, saying "like" and "um" all the time... those kinds of things can be really really frustrating for interviewers." what the heck is that all about? what is this, a speech and debate lesson? you stressed on being natural right?</p>

<p>pimp- I think it is YOU that is missing the point of the interview. Yes, the interview is a good way for a student to learn ONE person's view of the Penn experience. However, it is also an opportunity for the alum to put a face and a personality with the paperwork which has been submitted. The interviews are not given much weight at all- how could they when not everyone has one? However, if you come across as a complete jerk, I can assure you it will be noted. Whartonalum has given you a good picture.</p>

<p>Just curious, what exactly do interviewers know about you prior to interviewing you? Do they get a summary of what you sent in? I read somewhere that some interviewers are told how much admissions want the applicant. Would anyone know if that's true for Penn as well?</p>

<p>momofwildchild - "However, it is also an opportunity for the alum to put a face and a personality with the paperwork which has been submitted" alum and paperwork? apples and cumquats?</p>

<p>veamo, </p>

<p>when i had my mine, the interviewer sat down and started the conversation by simply saying, "so, tell me about yourself."</p>

<p>How late are interviews arranged? I just sent out the part one of my application this week (let's just say I had a very late college application indenity crisis). Since I applied RD and the website says those interviews occur in Jan and Feb, am I too late?</p>

<p>You wouldnt believe how close to mental breakdowns insane early decisions kids on here have brought me because I didnt know they were ED</p>