I might be wrong, but I’m pretty sure the Penn interview matters. In the common data set they marked the interview as “important”. Also on their website they don’t hide the fact that Penn cares about the interview - they say it is very helpful in making decisions. It makes sense because Penn tries very hard to provide people with interviews. In contrast, a school like Yale or Harvard marked the interview as “considered”.
@collegeboi2023 you are right in that there are many immature and stuck-up parents here in CC. But perhaps you are being a little bit unfair to @Pennmom2022 because it seemed to me that she only tried to ease our worries by providing a supporting evidence.
I agree. I thought her comment was very acceptable and helpful.
I still have not gotten an interview. Losing hope 
Just had my interview, it was very relaxed and my interviewer and I had a lot in common. I think it went well! And now the wait begins.
For those applying to wharton, could you please post your stats and concentration.
@qwxmntklp My interviewer said that all interview reports must be in by November 21st so I would assume that interviews don’t occur after but i might be wrong
Applying to Wharton, Top 1%, 35 ACT, 800 Math II, 790 USH
For those applying to wharton, could you please post your stats and concentration (posted again since this is a new page).
Hey guys! Just finished my interview this morning, and I think it went pretty ok! I was nervous in the beginning but got better lol. The interviewer was really chill and asked me some basic qs about my interests, UPenn (Why UPenn, why major, etc.), along with a few things on my resume. Later, we basically just chatted about Shanghai (where we are) and Philly. He gave me some really useful tips about studying+living in the US and several places that I can visit in Pennsylvania! How the interview is like really depends on the interviewer; I think I was very lucky to get such a laid back alumnus. Hope this info helps and good luck to anyone preparing for the interview! 
Applying to Wharton. School doesn’t rank but definitely in top 3 people. 36 ACT, 1590 SAT, 800s on Math 2, Biology E, Biology M, US History, and Spanish. Concentration I applied for was public policy
I missed the ed financial aid due date… it says they’ll still process it, but will it hurt me
Hi! anyone else applying ED to the School of Nursing? If so, what are your stats?
Regarding the alum interview, it has little value in admissions and is more for keeping alums involved in that college (donations, maintaining networking connections, etc). For example, close friend is a Brown alum and has been interviewing dozens and dozens of applicants for 20+ years and has recommended many for admissions and zero have been accepted.
Per admissions counselors, most important factors by rank:
- Grades in all classes
- Grades in college prep courses
- Admission test scores (ACT, SAT)
- Strength of curriculum
- Essay or writing sample
- Counselor recommendation
- Demonstrated interest
- Teacher recommendation
- Class rank
- Extracurricular activities
As you can see, alum interviews are not even listed. This isn’t like a job interview where how well you do in the interview is critical to a job offer.
Don’t sweat the little stuff, you all have done a great job with your applications, enjoy the opportunity to meet graduates of your top college choice and ask questions. It should be a positive experience not a stressful one as it has very little weight as to admissions. Good luck to all!
@rollstangs2019 my D20 and I visited. Gorgeous campus. She will likely apply next year as she is a double legacy. Good luck to all of you this year!
@socaldad2002 You make a valid point about the real weight of the interview but Penn is different than other schools.
According to Penn’s Common Data Set, the interview is considered “important” in terms of weight in the admissions preference. This isn’t the highest possible factor level (there is also “very important”) but it is ranked the same as extracurricular activities as a factor. Additionally, Penn tries to offer interviews to all of its applicants and ends up inviting over 90% of them. This is evidence that Penn does care about the interview.
On the other hand, other institutions like Brown ranked interviews as just “considered” with factors like “state residency” and “racial status.”
Interviews will probably not work against applicants but they’re definitely a chance to increase the “personality” rating score if the opportunity is used well.
Interesting. I haven’t received an interview yet. If there is significant weight to the interview, do you think that they choose who does not get an interview (ie really good or really bad applicants) or do you think it’s pure coincidence?
No, It does not reflect the strength of your application whether or not you get the interview.
@socialdad2002 I don’t mean to fight on this point but Penn seems different. As I stated before in the common data set, penn is the only college that marks the interview as “important”. Also, they don’t hide its importance at all on the Penn website. They talk about how useful it is in admissions.
It’s probably very useful in determining the personal traits category.
@succeed1253 no you’re fine. I called them several times about the same issue.