I remember seeing it on the Penn site but can’t find it - too many bookmarks >:P
Hey guys. A lot of people seem to be confused about interviews, and I received a bit of information from my interviewer that may shed some light on whether or not you will receive one:
Penn Interview report forms are due Monday, November 23. If you are not contacted by then, YOU WILL NOT RECEIVE AN INTERVIEW.
That means, for those of you who still have not been contacted, keep a sharp eye out over the next 4 days because this is the last chance for alumni to contact you.
Now on another note, I have an in-person interview scheduled for Sunday @ 8 pm, but here is the catch: My interviewer is very busy (he works in the New York financial district, but he lives in my town, which is right outside of Boston). He is currently traveling and is arriving back late on Sunday, hence my interview being at 8 pm. With that in mind, I was wondering if someone could tell me if my situation is odd for these two reasons:
a) My interviewer specified that he would like to talk to me for around 30 minutes (which I’m assuming is because he will be tired).
b) The interview is actually at his house, which I know is very unusual. (Most I here are at Starbucks or whatever the equivalent is around the country.)
My question is, for those of you who are interviewing, especially those whose interviews were at the interviewer’s house, are there any ways I need to adjust my approach and/or speaking style? Does this mean it’s going to be more formal? Also, does the fact that it will be around 30 minutes mean anything? Were any of you guys told beforehand how long your interviews would be?
Finally, for those of you who have already had your interviews, would this site be a reliable guide of what to expect (specifically the section on what questions interviewers should ask)? Did your interviewers stick to these questions or did they ask you other things?
@jarrett211 I don’t see this having any impact on how you should act. You’ve heard it a million times, but just be yourself (with a little added sugar). It’s really no different than being at a Starbucks… If anything it’ll be more laid-back.
My interviewer also specified 30 minutes, but note that Penn suggests that interviews take between 20 and 45 minutes. We’re good.
And a reminder… This interview isn’t that big of a deal! It’s just to confirm what Penn already sees about us in our application. I’ve read numerous times from different Penn interviewers that these interviews are given very little weight in a final admission decision. Good luck!
@jarrett211 Penn requests that no interviews are held at the interviewer’s home, but a lot of the interviewers don’t read the rules. And many tell students it will be a 30-minute interview. It just depends on their style and preferred way of interviewing. And I agree with c77123 - with over 10,000 Penn alum’s interviewing, there isn’t a lot of quality control. Admissions doesn’t know them, so it doesn’t count much.
Honestly, it is very disappointing. If this is how the alumni of UPenn respects the rules and guidelines, not sure what the future beholds!
ALL THE BEST!
@jarrett211 Thanks for the note about when interview reports are due bro. Best of luck!!
Yes, these days interviews at the interviewer’s house is generally frowned upon. That said, both my kids did so and it was fine. I’m assuming you are also male… Stating up front that the interview will last 30 minutes is not at all unusual. It’s up to him then if he wants to prolong the conversation but if he feels as though he’s gotten what he wants, he doesn’t have to worry about ending the conversation at 30 minutes. Also, I’m sure that he’ll be tired and also thinking about having to go to work the next day since it’s Sunday night.
In short, don’t try to read too much into anything. Just be yourself and enjoy the opportunity to have a pleasant conversation with someone who has firsthand knowledge of the school you hope attend.
Hey guys, I’ve been reading this for a while and want to jump into the chat! I’m applying ED to CAS. Quick question – I checked off the box saying that a relative has attended Penn, but I could’t check off the next box saying that the person is a parent/grandparent/etc. Is this viewed as legacy? Or no because the person is not on their files.
No, it is not viewed as a legacy so won’t really help. Just out of curiosity, if the person attend Penn why wouldn’t they be in their files?
I’d like to imagine that @chinagal1234’s situation counts for something… I’m in the same boat 
It doesn’t count for anything. Sorry to break it to those people.
dang it
Is there a way that I could call Penn admissions and demand my decision?
What do you think the threshold is for ACT and SAT
My school is having so many issues. We have people who identify as NAZIs and people who think it’s ok to wave the confederate flag in school (we are in ohio) because they are proud of southern heritage and they think people are overreacting by talking to them about it or telling administration. Also we have people who openly say that they want to get rid of all Muslims bc of terrorist attacks and think their rights are being violated when they get told to stop in doing so in school. So yeah, welcome to my school.
Sorry this is a completely unrelated-to-Penn rant, im just amazed by the so called humans at my school
Uhh… honestly I think whatever happens happens and yeah it’s stressful but honestly I’ve stopped obsessing because there’s no point to it all. Do what I’m doing, relax, I don’t know go to a movie, go to a party tomorrow night, do something (anything) for yourself and I think that’ll go a long way.
I’m not sure if I’m really sick or I just really don’t want to go to school. Hmmm stay home tomorrow or not?
Guys I once tried to go to school with a 101 degree fever a few years ago. My senioritis is so bad omg.
OBSESS UNTIL MENTAL BREAKDOWN 
My son was contacted today for an interview on Mon the 23rd also at the interviewer’s house. The interviewer told my son he had to get the report in by thanksgiving. (So I am assuming Wed the 25th.)
Just wanted to let you know the house thing must not be out of the ordinary…
@jarrett211 I wouldn’t assume the interview to be more formal because it’s at his house. It’s still an interview but simply at a less conventional location. Just dress nicely and presentable like you would for a more upscale restaurant and talk how you normally would in a conversation. They’re not critiquing you on how well you speak, so anything too rehearsed is probably going to come off unnatural. For me, I spoke from the heart, and most people can tell when someone is truly passionate about something, and that’s probably what they’re looking for anyways.
When my interviewer called me, he did said that it would only be about thirty minutes, but we ended up talking for a little longer, and my interviewer did stick to the really basic and traditional questions. “Why Penn?” “What do you want me to let the admissions officers know about you that isn’t on your application?” And that was it. Literally only those two questions. For the majority of the time, we just talked, and it was quite enjoyable.