The University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) is part of the highly exclusive Ivy League and is ranked as the 10th best national university in the U.S. With a low 5.4% acceptance rate for the Class of 202, you’ll need to perform well in every part of your application—including the UPenn interview.
The UPenn interview, now called alumni conversations, is your chance to show UPenn why you belong and to decide if the school is a good fit for you. Keep reading to learn how the interview works, what questions you might get, and how to prepare answers that will make you stand out.
- Does UPenn Interview All Applicants?
- The UPenn Interview Process
- Common UPenn Interview Questions
- How to Prepare for a UPenn Interview
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Takeaways
Does UPenn Interview All Applicants?
No, UPenn doesn’t interview every applicant. It’s not required for admission, and these interviews don’t impact your admissions decision. These interviews, which are called Alumni Conversations, are informal, virtual chats with a UPenn graduate. You won’t be evaluated or scored, and nothing you say will affect your application.
Instead, the conversation is your chance to ask questions, hear what the school is like, and connect personally with someone who’s been there. It’s meant to be relaxed and helpful for you.
That said, you can’t request these interviews. Whether you get invited depends on alumni availability in your area. If no one reaches out, don’t worry! It has nothing to do with the strength of your application. You can even opt out of the interview, which won’t hurt your chances.
However, if you do get offered an interview, we recommend taking it. It’s a great opportunity to learn more about the student experience and assess whether UPenn is the right fit for you.
The UPenn Interview Process
If you’re selected for an Alumni Conversation, you’ll hear directly from a UPenn alum by email or phone. They’ll reach out to schedule a time that works for both of you.
When your conversation is scheduled depends on when you apply. If you’re applying Early Decision (ED), you can expect to be contacted sometime between mid-October and the end of November. For Regular Decision (RD), most conversations happen between December and February.
Make sure to check the email you listed in your application often. That’s the most common way alumni will contact you, although some may call or text using the number you provided. Once you’re contacted, try to respond within three to five days. If you’re not interested in doing the conversation, that’s totally okay! Just make sure to let them know so they can offer the spot to someone else.
Now, conversations usually happen over Zoom, Google Meet, or similar platforms. However, some alumni may offer a phone call instead. Either way, find a quiet spot with a stable internet connection or good phone service so you can focus without distractions.
There’s no need to dress up, but you should look neat. Think school photo or classroom presentation. Wear something that makes you feel comfortable and confident.
You also don’t need to research your alumni volunteer ahead of time. I mean, if you’re curious, that’s fine, but don’t try to connect with them on social media. UPenn asks students to respect alumni privacy and keep the interaction professional.
Common UPenn Interview Questions
The Alumni Conversation isn’t scripted, but there are some questions that come up often. Your alumni volunteer will want to get to know you and hear why you’re interested in UPenn. Here are some of the most common interview questions they’re likely to ask:
1. Tell me about yourself.
This is one of the most common ways an interview begins. It’s meant to help you settle in and give your alum a quick overview of who you are.
The trick is to keep your answer short but meaningful. You don’t need to share your entire life story! Instead, talk about your high school experience, what matters to you right now, and what you hope to do in college and beyond.
For example, if you’re passionate about business, you might talk about how you started selling handmade jewelry at school or helped manage inventory and marketing for your family’s small Filipino bakery. Then, connect that experience to your interest in Wharton and how you hope to keep developing those skills at Penn. Sharing real, specific details makes your answer more memorable.
2. What’s important to you?
To answer this question, start by thinking about three key areas: your passions, long-term goals, and the values that influence your decisions. These could relate to your academics, extracurriculars, personal beliefs, or future career.
Again, be as specific as possible. Instead of saying something like, “ I want to help people,” explain how you’ve done that in real life or how you hope to do it in the future. Maybe you started a tutoring group at your local library to help younger students with math, or you volunteer every weekend packing relief goods at your church for disaster-struck communities.
Whenever possible, connect your answer to UPenn. If collaboration, innovation, or community involvement is important to you, point to how the school supports those things. This shows you’re self-aware and serious about fitting into the school’s culture.
3. How do you spend your time when you’re not in school?
This question gives you room to show who you are outside the classroom. It’s your chance to highlight your interests, routines, and how you use your time when academics aren’t the focus.
Remember, you don’t need to list every hobby or interest. Keep your answer focused and specific—talk about how you usually spend your afternoons or weekends.
Are you into the outdoors? Maybe you like hiking on local trails because being in nature helps clear your mind. Or if you have dogs, you might spend time training them and building a strong bond. Your answer doesn’t need to be impressive or serious! It just needs to be real and give your interviewer a real glimpse of who you are.
4. What excites you about UPenn?
Think of this as the interview version of the “Why Penn?” essay. The goal here is to show that you’ve done your research and are genuinely excited about what the school offers. Here, you can name-drop courses, programs, or traditions that appeal to you. The more you can connect your goals to what Penn offers, the stronger your answer will be.
Since your interviewer won’t have access to your application, give some context before jumping into specifics. If you plan to major in biology, say that upfront, and then talk about the research lab, professor, or program that interests you. Maybe you want to join the Vagelos Molecular Life Sciences Program or work with Professor Nancy Bonini on neurodegenerative diseases.
Or, if you’re excited about UPenn’s club sports or student-run groups, make sure to explain why. For example, if you played varsity soccer throughout high school and want to stay active in college, you could talk about how Penn’s competitive club soccer team caught your attention. Sharing your background first helps the alum understand why that opportunity matters to you.
5. What plans do you have for the future?
For this question, your interviewer wants to hear your thoughts about the road ahead—academically, professionally, or personally.
You don’t need to map out every detail of your life, but you should show that you’ve given your future real thought. Talk about the kind of work you want to do, the problems you hope to solve, or the impact you want to make.
Again, it’s important to be honest and specific. Saying you want to “go into business” is super vague. Saying you’re interested in social entrepreneurship or sustainable finance gives your interviewer something to connect with.
Then, tie it back to UPenn. Mention the academic programs, professors, or research centers that align with your goals. If you’re interested in public health, you may be drawn to Penn Nursing, which is ranked the #1 nursing school in the world! Or, if you want to explore politics and journalism, maybe the Fels Institute of Government caught your eye.
Even if your plans aren’t fully formed, that’s okay. Just focus on the themes you care about and the skills you want to build. Show that you’re serious about using your time at UPenn to move closer to those goals.
How to Prepare for a UPenn Interview
The more you plan ahead, the more confident you’ll be when it’s time to talk to your alumni volunteer. Here are a few things you should do to prepare for your interview:
1. Show that UPenn is your top choice.
UPenn wants to admit students who are likely to attend if accepted. That means clearly showing your interest can greatly work out in your favor!
Use the alumni interview to explain why UPenn stands out to you and what it offers that no other school does. Be specific about the programs, opportunities, or experiences you’re excited about, and explain how you plan to take advantage of them.
Again, avoid saying things like, “I want to attend UPenn because it’s an Ivy.” That doesn’t tell the interviewer anything meaningful, and it could apply to plenty of other universities. Instead, focus on what specific aspect of Penn draws you in, and make it as personal as possible.
2. Tell your story—and make it count.
Your Alumni Conversation is your chance to share what makes you unique. Talk about your passions, goals, and the experiences that have shaped you.
If you’ve done something you’re proud of or come from a background that adds perspective, don’t be afraid to bring it up. For example, maybe you led a fundraising campaign for tornado relief in your community, or you’re the first in your family to apply to college. Those are good experiences that show initiative and resilience.
Just make sure you’re not repeating your entire application! The goal of the interview isn’t to restate your resume but to give your interviewer a more personal understanding of who you are and how you think.
3. Ask thoughtful questions.
Make the most of your alumni interview by coming prepared with questions. If you want, you could write them down and bring them with you.
Keep in mind, your alumni interviewer may not know every detail about current campus life. Still, their experience can give you valuable insight into what UPenn was like for them, how it impacted their career, and what the alumni network has meant in the years since.
Here are a few questions you can consider asking:
- What were the most influential parts of your Penn experience?
- How did attending Penn impact your personal or professional life?
- Do you have a favorite Penn tradition or memory?
- Are you still connected to Penn or your classmates today?
- How has the Penn alumni network helped you since graduating?
In the end, remember this isn’t an exam. Your interviewer wants to get to know you, and you should try to get to know them, too. If you prepare well, your interview will feel like a natural back-and-forth, not something you have to perform.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Does the UPenn interview matter in admissions?
No, the Alumni Conversation isn’t evaluative and doesn’t affect your admissions decision. It’s purely informational and meant to help you learn more about Penn, while giving Penn a chance to learn a bit more about you.
2. What is the UPenn interview acceptance rate?
There’s no separate acceptance rate for students who are interviewed. Being offered an Alumni Conversation doesn’t increase or decrease your chances of getting in.
3. Does every applicant get an interview at UPenn?
No, not every applicant receives an interview. Alumni Conversations are offered based on volunteer availability in your area, and you can’t request one yourself.
Takeaways
- UPenn interviews aren’t required and depend on the availability of alumni interviewers in your area.
- If you’re invited for an interview, prepare well by researching UPenn, practicing your responses, and thinking about good questions to ask your interviewer.
- Not getting an interview won’t hurt your chances, so don’t worry if you don’t get one.
- Work with a private admissions consultant to get personalized guidance and make sure you’re fully prepared for your UPenn interview.
