Interviews

The alumni interview is an optional aspect of the Penn admissions process. At this time, we are not able to offer an interview to every Penn applicant–however, if you are offered an interview, it can provide a valuable opportunity to learn more about the university and its programs, while presenting you with another forum to share your passion and enthusiasm for Penn.

Individual interviews are available through our alumni volunteers, who initiate contact with first-year candidates following a student's submission of both the Common Application and Penn Supplement. Please do not contact the Penn Alumni Interview Program volunteers; they will reach out to you if they can offer you an interview.

Interviews are both informative and evaluative: they allow you to learn more about the university, while providing a Penn alumnus with an opportunity to ask you additional questions on behalf of the Office of Admissions. Alumni interviews are optional, and interview reports generally confirm what we learn from recommendations and other materials provided in the Common Application. Individual on-campus interviews are not available.

Alumni volunteers currently interview more than fifty percent of applicants worldwide. However, if you are not contacted for an interview, don't worry–not having an interview will not be counted against you in any way. Since interviews are not required, nor are they offered to all applicants at this time, we encourage you to rely upon your application for admission as the best forum for presenting the many unique aspects of your candidacy.

Interviews for Early Decision candidates are typically conducted between mid-October and the end of November, interviews for Regular Decision candidates are typically offered in January and February. Interviews are offered only in regions with active Alumni Interview Committees.

Click for Frequently Asked Questions about interviews.