<p>When are we supposed to hear from an admissions officer to schedule an interview? It’s been quite a while since I submitte my application, and I really want an interview so I’m a little worried right now.</p>
<p>you may not receive one at all; it's up to the discretion of the alumnus in your area to whom you were assigned.</p>
<p>therefore, you can't really construe not being offered an interview as a good or bad reflection on your application; just hope for the best.</p>
<p>Only about half of applicants are contacted for an interview. Don't worry if you aren't. Plenty of people get in without one.</p>
<p>If you used the Common App, Penn probably is still in the midst of processing your application and contacting the necessary people. During the ED round they were really scrambling to get the interview notes in two weeks before notifications, something about some kind of glitch/downloading/technobabble.</p>
<p>I think the interview is important. It gives you a chance to show your interest in Penn and also get a lot of questions answered. College Board also lists this: </p>
<p>Considered:
Alumni Relation
Class Rank
Geographical Residence
Interview!!!!!!!!!
Racial/Ethnic Status
Talent/Ability
Volunteer Work
Work Experience
First generation college student </p>
<p>It appears (or at least Penn claims it) to be on par with these other things. While students certainly haven't been denied for not getting an interview, it can definitely be a plus. The benefits should outweigh any potential drawbacks. I think if you push hard enough without being a bother you should try to snag one, especially if you live in dense Penn-alum environment.</p>
<p>Go for it.</p>
<p>Thanks. I live in Los Angeles though. Should I contact the director, or the admissions office? Btw I submitted the Penn specific App.</p>
<p>if you contact anybody, you'll find that they'll not be able to help you; once your app is fully processed you may or may not be assigned to somebody, and the admissions office doesn't really have a say either way (or even if your assigned person bothers to contact you at all!)</p>
<p>i never received an interview, even though i live 20 minutes from penn; i called and they couldn't help me, and i got in and am happily here!</p>
<p>OK.. i don't know how these things work.. so when you submitted your application, you are automatically signed up for an interview? I thought I had to optionally contact them to interview...</p>
<p>The admissions office won't help you; when I asked about my interview they gave me a rehearsed generic response that sounded like only God knew. I know the interview has direct contact with the RD, so the RD might be your best bet. </p>
<p>What you have to acknowledge is that there is a process set up by Penn's Admissions Office (they don't use magic) and that there is someone with the capabilities to interview you (LA is a big city). I think if you take up the effort, you can put it altogether.</p>
<p>i did ED wharton w/ common app this past fall. I didn't get an interview but still got accepted...</p>
<p>so the interview doesn't really make you or break you. </p>
<p>And I live in South Florida which has many penn alums...</p>
<p>Penn can't interview everyone so applicants are chosen randomly for interviews. Non-legacy interviews are conducted by alumni in the Secondary Schools Committee. They are not conducted by Regional Directors or any members of the admissions office. </p>
<p>So if you are randomly selected for an interview (it's random so don't read into it) then you will be contacted either by phone or email by an alum. I always preferred to email the people I interviewed so make sure you check your email.</p>
<p>Calling and saying you want an interview will not result in anything because selection is random.</p>