Interviews

What is the role of the interview? Is it evaluative?

An interview lets you engage in a dialogue with a local Yale graduate or a current Yale senior. Interviewers can be a valuable source of information, providing first-hand knowledge of what it is like to live and study at Yale. Interviews are also evaluative. The admissions committee can learn more about you and how you might contribute to the Yale community from the report that your interviewer will write following your interview. 

Are interviews required?

No. Because of limited interviewing capacity, the Office of Undergraduate Admissions prioritizes interviews for students for whom the Admissions Committee needs more information. Students who do not receive an interview invitation will not be disadvantaged. If you are contacted to schedule an interview, we strongly encourage you to take advantage of the opportunity. An interviewer can help you learn more about Yale and can share additional information about you with the admissions committee.

Are interviews offered on campus?

The admissions office no longer conducts on-campus interviews, and prospective students may not request an interview. Alumni and student interviewers contact applicants after their admissions materials are submitted. 

Is my application disadvantaged because I was not offered an interview?

No. Interviews are not required, and many successful applicants are not interviewed.

My area is covered by an ASC, but I have not been contacted for an interview. Why?

The Office of Undergraduate Admissions prioritizes interviews for students for whom the Admissions Committee needs more information. ASC volunteers are not able to interview every candidate in every area. Interviews are not required, and your application will not be penalized if you are not offered an interview. Also, you may not be contacted for an alumni interview until several weeks after your application is received. 

How do I arrange to have a local interview?

Students are not offered alumni interviews until after they apply and do not arrange their own interviews. If an ASC volunteer is available to interview you in your region, you will receive an invitation via phone or email to schedule an interview time. Please do not contact Undergraduate Admissions or the local ASC members to request an interview.

My area is not covered by a Yale ASC. What does that mean?

Alumni interviews are conducted by local volunteer committees linked to specific geographical areas. If your area is not covered by Yale ASC it means an alumni volunteer committee is not active in your area. 

Since my area is not covered by an ASC, can I be interviewed by a different ASC?

No. Each ASC is charged with interviewing candidates for a specific geographic area. Given the large volume of applications we receive, the resources of our ASCs are limited, and we cannot reassign you to the committee serving another region.