Hello guys, I had a question about college interviews. Me and my friend applied to several ivy leagues for this fall, yesterday, she told me that she got two calls from universities for an interviews (one skype, and one in person). however, i only got an email from Upenn informing me that i might get called for an interview. so i was wondering, does getting called for an interview increases one’s chances in getting into colleges/universities ? if so, in what way?
Any responses will be very welcomed and appreciated !
Hey!
Here’s my two cents.
Sometimes colleges make it mandatory to offer you an interview especially if there are alumni in the area. They do this to actually give you a chance to speak with a representative whether you choose to or not. They also do this to reach of to their alumni, creating a vast alumni network after their graduation from the institution.
Getting a call to interview doesn’t necessarily mean you have a greater chance of getting in.
However, if you’re great at speaking, then by all means, it will only do you good to accept an interview proposal. If you deny it, that may make you look bad as well.
Hey, I’m gonna hijack this post, if you don’t mind! I was wondering when i’ll get a call for interviews. I am applying to Harvard, and they say that they give out interviews to everyone (like the person above stated). I have little or no hope of getting into Harvard, but I was looking forward to quizzing an alumni about it…
When would they contact me? I may not be able to get in, but I feel my achievements should at least warrant me a interview! anyway… yeah.
Thank you for your response, that’s what i thought as well.
@Jolex2 Read Kokko2k15’s post. People may or may not get an interview call – the GOAL is to interview everyone but this is the ideal, not the reality. Thus, when and if you might be contacted by any of the dozens or hundreds of volunteers in your area, if any, is unknowable.
Also it may have to do how many alumni are in your area and how available they are.
@T26E4 I live in South Florida, north of miami, in a college district… I would have thought there would be at least one alumni near me…
Only 5 % of alumni volunteer for student interviewing for my alma mater. I don’t know what it is with Penn. Like I said, my school is looking at 67% interviews as GOOD. Frankly, put it out of your mind. There’s no use fretting about it.
Alert: Not every school calls you. In some cases, you have to request an interview.
Many of you apply to a lot of schools these days, and you may not have time to do 15 interviews. So I would suggest you pick your 3-5 favorite schools and check their websites thoroughly for a link, or email the admissions rep for your area. But you need to do it today. Interviews started in early January and are generally done in in the next 2 or 3 weeks.
A college interview is a chance to give another perspective to your application. It’s the chance to tell your story. And since it is often with school alumni, they are pleased to help young students attend their alma mater. It’s not that they have no critical faculties–but in general they are interested in getting to know you.
Finally, some alumni interviewers may be able to help you in another way, and that is to shed yet another perspective on the school. If there’s time, ask some questions. Good luck!
Thank you guys, kinda calmed my nerves !
Getting an interview request means nothing other than that the college received your application. They try to interview as many applicants as possible which is largely based on the availability of alumnus in your area. Do check your spam though, that’s where my offer showed up.