I had a UPenn Skype interview scheduled for today, and I’ve communicated with the interviewer a few times to confirm. My problem is, the interview was at 5:00, and when I tried to Skype him he told me that it was supposed to be at 5:00 EST instead of Central time. He was just starting another interview when I contacted him. I’m so embarrassed, and I feel really stupid - to make things worse, Penn is one of my top choices. Does this hurt my chance at admissions? Will he mark down that I missed the interview, even if we reschedule?
I’m really sorry about the confusion. Skype interviews are often done for applicants in areas that don’t have great alumni coverage so it’s not unusual for an alum to have an interview with an applicant who is not in the same time zone - or even the same country! It would have been a good idea to confirm the specific time but that didn’t happen and what’s done is done. That is as much on the interviewER as it is on the interviewEE - and to my mind it is more the responsibility of the person conducting the interview.
I think you should email him and arrange to reschedule the interview. Explain that you are sorry for the confusion about the the time. I am sure he will understand. I’m betting he didn’t think to make absolutely sure you two were on the same page about the timing. He probably feels as bad as you do about it. I can’t imagine he’d mention it in the report but if he does, it won’t be in a way that makes you look bad.
I do not believe he will hold that against you in his report. What happened was a misunderstanding, it wasn’t anything more than that. Keep in mind that if he was just starting another interview he wouldn’t really have been able to discuss your situation at that very moment.
Good luck with your rescheduled interview!
Thanks so much! I feel much better.