Harvard University amasses incredibly large application pools each year. For admission to the Class of 2027, 56,937 starry-eyed students applied, but only 1,942 were given spots. Given this small town-sized pool, Harvard has to cut corners when it comes to alumni interviews, or else they would be faced with a logistical hurdle that would inundate any bureaucracy. That’s why interviews are conducted “at the discretion of the Admissions Committee, based, in part, on availability of alumni in [the applicant’s] local area.” They simply do not have the manpower to give everyone an interview.

Being asked to sit for an interview has no bearing on the strength of a given applicant. It is purely a reflection of the interviewing capacity in the applicant’s geographic area (and it’s often just as much about giving an alum the chance to be part of the application process as it is about the student themselves). Typically, an alum affiliated with the Harvard College Interviewing Program will reach out to an applicant via their own personal email address or cell phone to schedule an interview shortly after the application is submitted. This occurs during either admissions round. The interview will be conducted either via Zoom, in-person, or over the phone (although this last option is not recommended). 

The Tension Surrounding Harvard’s Interview Process

Harvard’s interviewers are infamously poorly trained. Some have a tendency to ask inappropriate questions — like about an applicant’s SAT/ACT scores, which isn’t any of their business! — and some come off with an air of pomposity. In the past, some have even tried to discourage students from applying because they have children in the application pool. Ivy Coach called out this blatant conflict of interest several years back, in the case of one parent in particular who unfairly sought to influence the outcome of his child’s competitors. We are proud to say that our agitation for Harvard to do better on this issue led to a policy change. Going forward, parents of students in the current application pool are not permitted to conduct interviews during that cycle.

We wouldn’t blame you if all of this background information is making your head spin. The truth is, you should not stress over the Harvard interview, as the admissions committee does not lay particular emphasis on its outcome. What’s more important to the application process are academic performance in high school, standardized test performance, letters of recommendation, and the content of written material on the application. How well you do during an interview is a matter of a single day. Academic track record and compelling essays speak for your entire educational career.

Do All Students Get Interviewed by Harvard?

No, though it’s a function of the availability of alumni interviewers and is not an indication of the strength/weakness of one’s candidacy. As Harvard College publishes on its website: “Applicants are assigned interviews at the discretion of the Admissions Committee, based, in part, on availability of alumni in your local area. Nearly 10,000 alumni/ae volunteers help us recruit students from all 50 states and around the world, but most areas do not have the capacity to interview all applicants. Your application is considered complete without an interview and will receive a full and thorough evaluation.”

What Does the Harvard Interview Process Look Like?

Ordinarily, your interviewer will reach out to you by email to arrange a time. Harvard tries to connect you with an alum from your area, although, as they put it, “this is not always possible,” especially in the case of international students. Alumni interviewers usually reach out via their own personal email address or by phone. 

Interviews may be conducted via Zoom, telephone, or in-person.

What Do Harvard Interviewers Want to See?

Harvard interviewers want to see that you’ve done your research. And by research, we don’t mean the kind of stuff you can glean from a brochure or the front page of their website. Instead, you should aim to teach something to your interviewer that they don’t already know about their alma mater. They want to see that you’ve come armed with particular questions about Harvard’s culture, resources, and opportunities, and they want to see that you’re not afraid to ask them. Moreover, ensure that you come across as a presentable, enthusiastic, and friendly person. Leave your attitude and offensive opinions at home.

Common Harvard Alumni Interview Questions

1. What makes you excited to apply to Harvard College?
2. What is it about Harvard offerings that suits your academic interests?
3. What kinds of things do you do outside of the classroom, and how will you continue to do such things on Harvard’s campus?
4. How do you see yourself growing over the next four years?
5. Has high school been a challenge for you? Why is Harvard the next step?

Ivy Coach’s 10 Tips for Acing Your Harvard Interview

Harvard supplies a handful of tips for successfully sitting for the interview, such as “be yourself,” “consider wearing something you would wear to school,” and “try to find a quiet room or space for this conversation.” If these tips sound insufficient to you, rest assured that Ivy Coach has you covered!

1. The basics: get a good night sleep beforehand, show up on time, look tidy, and be warm and respectful! 
2. Research, research, research! You should wow your interviewer with your knowledge of Harvard, including its culture, traditions, institutions, academic resources, the House system, and more. Try to get a sense of the things that only current students would be able to tell you about life on campus.
3. Come with questions in-hand. This demonstrates your curiosity about Harvard and your willingness to take advantage of the living breathing Harvard alum sitting in front of you! 
4. Showcase a singular hook. Well-rounded applicants do not get into Harvard. Instead, it’s the experts and specialists, those who pursue their individual passions as far as they will go, who join the ranks of each new cohort.
5. Conduct mock interviews with parents and mentors. Pretend it’s the real thing, and try not to break character. Record these sessions and listen back to yourself to gauge your articulateness and strength of communication.
6. Speaking on the spot is harder than it looks! Time yourself, and make sure your responses do not meander. Formulate the most concise and effective way to frame who you are and what makes you tick.
7. Remember, your interviewer is not trained. They may probe into your grades or personal life, may cite a fact about Harvard that you know to be inaccurate, or may paint a picture of a very different campus than the one you will find once you’re there.
8. Should your interviewer ask an inappropriate or off-topic question, learn the art of the pivot. Turn the focus back to your singular hook.
9. The interview usually will not make an application, but it sure can break one! Avoid sensitive or offensive topics. Don’t use the interview as a time to workshop stand-up material.
10. Don’t overthink it! The interview should flow like a normal conversation. And if you don’t feel as though you put your best foot forward, it’s not the end of the world. If you’re a competitive applicant in all other respects (and assuming you haven’t gravely offended your interviewer), the interview will unlikely jeopardize your case for admission.

Ivy Coach’s Assistance with the Harvard Interview

If you’re interested in optimizing your performance on your Harvard alumni interview, fill out Ivy Coach’s complimentary consultation form. We’ll then be in touch to outline our services, which include interview prep.