<p>Assuming that there are plenty of alumni interviewers in a given area, would a college attempt to give interviews to all applicants? Or, is there some sorting out that is done first? Just curious.
Thanks.</p>
<p>The goal is to have every student interviewed. Every name is sent to alumni interviewers. Some are great at making sure to interview everyone on their list. Others aren't as responsible.</p>
<p>There is NO sorting out first. The goal is to get everyone connected with an alum interviewer. This is not always possible but has nothing to do with chances or preferences. Sometimes there are not interviewers in your area (none were here for Penn when my D was an applicant and she actually was admitted). Sometimes the committee of interviewers in that area have too many applicants than they can handle. In those cases, it might be first come first serve in order that the names get sent (which often are in order that the applications were received to a degree). I just got assigned another kid to interview last night, which is about over my limit but I will do it but inform them that this is my total for this year. I would possibly do more if I heard that not everyone was accommodated. But in general, each interviewer might have a limit as to how many he/she has time to do as we are just volunteers. I put in at least 1 1/2 hours at the interview without travel time, and another hour writing up the report. That does not count the phone calls and arranging beforehand either. So, being that everyone is a volunteer, sometimes the college cannot accommodate all the interviews in certain locations. It does not hurt an applicant if they are not offered an interview. I think IF you are offered one, you should do it. But you won't be hurt by not having one. </p>
<p>Students are NOT screened first before assigning interviews. Their names enter the system when the applications are opened and then are sent to the alum interview committees in that region and so forth. </p>
<p>Susan</p>
<p>In some cases, schools make it recommended by optional, at student request, rather than matching students up automatically as their application arrives. These schools provide a means (website, email, phonecall...) for students to request an alumni interview. Once they have posted their request, their names are forwarded to an alumni interviewer in their area who will contact them. There is only self-selection involved in these arrangements.</p>
<p>Thanks so much for your answers. I'm impressed at the number of interviews.</p>