<p>I just had mine about a week ago, and I continue to wonder how important it is and how much my performance will influence the admissions officers. Would anyone please explain?</p>
<p>The interviewers explicitely told me this was an opportunity for me to ask questions about Penn, and that it really didn't have much affect on admissions. When I was at Penn on one of the tours, they also said that the interview was optional and it by no means is vital...it might give a tiny push though.</p>
<p>i know my interviewer personally but loosely. she said she can't get anyone into penn but they read the recommendations and it does factor into their decision.</p>
<p>so i'd say it's a small contributor that can get you over the line but not near it.</p>
<p>thanks .....</p>
<p>The rep told me that because not all applicants are able to get an interview (due to there not being any alumni in the area, etc.) they play no major role in admissions.</p>
<p>However, the rep also told me that, as with essays, they won't bring a dead person back to life, but they'll save a dying one.</p>
<p>Don't schools like Harvard and Yale require an interview? Are there cases in which an applicant cannot get an interview? If so, what happens then? Sorry to digress a little.</p>
<p>my guy said that it's about 15% of ur app if u get one</p>
<p>then that's unfair to those who don't get one... an interview can't go bad unless you insult the persons family, lifestyle, or beliefs (maybe not even then)</p>
<p>whoa, that much?</p>
<p>footballer, maybe you misheard him. There's no way they count for 15% if you get one. That's HUGE</p>
<p>i didn't... that's what he said. when i thanked him for the opportunity he said that it wasn't a big deal and that it could matter 15% at the most so i shouldn't have been nervous. the idea is that the people who don't get one aren't held accountable i guess. Anyhow, im just the messenger. In any case just make sure it goes well (i know a penn student who was below average but her interview got her in.)</p>
<p>My interview guy told me I remind him of Donald Trump</p>
<p>is that good or bad?</p>
<p>The Donald went to Penn...so good.</p>
<p>It's no wonder though, The Dude calls himself....the Dude.</p>
<p>well... he could've made a lot of enemies at penn with his "WACKY BUSINESS ANTICS"</p>
<p>At Penn, Trump isn't looked upon favorably... even more so at Wharton. But your interviewer probably didn't know that. And I'm sure he meant it in a good way.</p>
<p>I do alumni interviews, and there is no percentage breakdown that we are given, so don't pay attention to that. Like someone else said, it can tip you either way over the line, but it can't bring you close to the line.</p>
<p>whartonalum, just curious, but why is trump looked down upon at penn?</p>
<p>In reality, props to Donald Trump for making himself a national celebrity and making himself a household name, and I should not forget he has a quite an attractive wife.</p>
<p>However, in many ways his reputation is overblown. He is often criticized of his flamboyant excesses. Also, few people are aware that Donald Trump was actually in massive debt in the late 90s and was only able to escape it through his father.</p>
<p>In reality I think Donald Trump's father deserves more acclaim and respect than Donald does, as his father is the one who rose from nothing to being the architect of a real estate empire.</p>
<p>1) his antics (and sexism)... especially on TV
2) he refers to Wharton as the "Wharton School of Business" or the "Wharton School of Finance" rather than the actual name "The Wharton School"
3) he doesn't donate any money (ding ding) despite being an alum and having 2 kids graduate from Wharton
4) in general, he perpetuates stereotypes of Whartonites that aren't true and he reflects poorly on Wharton and on Penn
5) he has bad hair</p>
<p>Wharton makes an effort not to associate the school with Trump.</p>
<p>how come the donald doesn't donate money? I assume out of all the alums, he should be up there in terms of donations because of his status and empire.</p>