College interviews feel mysterious and stressful, especially because every school treats them differently. Some interviews carry real evaluative weight. Others are optional, assigned by alumni volunteers, or offered only for marketing and yield-building.

This guide breaks down when interviews typically come out, how each school uses them, and what being offered (or not offered) an interview actually means at the Top 20 U.S. universities.

When Do Interviews Come Out?

At most selective universities, interview invitations begin rolling out 2–6 weeks after you submit your application. The earliest usually appear in late October and early November for EA/ED applicants, with more coming through December and early January for Regular Decision.

But the key point is this: Interview timing is NOT a signal of your chances.

Assignment depends on volunteer availability, regional capacity, and institutional priorities and not your strength as a candidate.

What Types of Interviews Are There? 

Before diving into each college, it’s important to understand that not all interviews mean the same thing. Every top school uses interviews differently, and students often panic unnecessarily because they assume that receiving — or not receiving — an interview is a signal about their chances. In reality, availability, geography, and alumni bandwidth often matter more than your actual application.

To help you interpret interview invitations accurately, each school below is categorized into one of four groups:

Evaluative (Important)

These interviews are a formal part of the admissions review.

The interviewer’s report is read by the committee and can influence the final decision.

Examples: Yale, Columbia, Dartmouth, Penn.

Semi-evaluative (Helpful but Not Required)

These interviews can add helpful context but do not disadvantage you if you don’t receive one.

Admissions understands that alumni availability varies by region.

Examples: Princeton, Stanford, Brown.

Non-evaluative (Informational / Marketing)

These interviews do not impact the admissions decision.

They exist to help applicants ask questions, create positive alumni contact, or support institutional marketing—but they carry zero evaluative weight.

Examples: Cornell, University of Chicago.

Not Offered

Some schools simply do not conduct interviews at all for undergraduate admission.

This has no bearing on your competitiveness as an applicant.

Examples: Vanderbilt, Notre Dame.

Below, we break down each top-20 school with a clear explanation of when interviews typically come out and how much they actually matter in the admissions process.

Do Interviews Matter? A School-by-School Guide (Top 20)

Harvard University — Non-evaluative

Do interviews matter? Not really.

Harvard tries to interview as many applicants as alumni bandwidth allows. Not getting one means nothing. Alumni reports have limited influence; they rarely change an admissions outcome.

When do interviews come out?

• EA: Late Oct–Dec
• RD: Dec–Feb

Yale University — Evaluative

Do interviews matter? Yes.

Yale interviews (alumni or admissions officer) are considered substantive pieces of the file. If they can interview you, they generally will.

No interview = neutral, not a bad sign — but the interview, if completed, carries weight.

When do interviews come out?

• EA: Late Oct–Dec
• RD: Dec–Feb

Princeton University — Semi-evaluative

Do interviews matter? Somewhat.

Reports can provide helpful context, but Princeton strongly emphasizes that lack of an interview is not negative and that alumni availability varies widely.

When:

• EA: Nov–Dec
• RD: Dec–Feb

Stanford University — Semi-evaluative

Do interviews matter? Mildly.

Stanford says interviews “add depth” but are not required for admission. Many regions have no alumni coverage, so plenty of admitted students never interview.

When:

• EA: Nov–Dec
• RD: Dec–Feb

MIT — Non-evaluative but strongly encouraged

Do interviews matter?

MIT’s Educational Counselor interviews are designed to supplement the application, but MIT explicitly states that:

• many students are admitted without interviews,
• some applicants will not be offered interviews due to alumni availability.

No interview = completely neutral.

When:

• EA: Late Oct–Nov
• RD: Dec–Feb

Caltech — No Interviews

Caltech does not offer interviews in any capacity. Since there is no chance to have an interview, be sure to put your best foot forward with your written application!

Columbia University — No Interviews

Columbia abolished its admissions interviews in 2023 given the complexity and impossibility of interviewing all applicants. 

University of Pennsylvania — No Interviews 

UPenn has also abolished its alumni interviews this year (2025), considering the written application sufficient to make the admissions decision. 

Brown University — Semi-evaluative

Brown has also transitioned away from live interviews and instead encourages students to submit a two-minute video recording as a personal introduction. This should be approached with the same rigor as an essay. 

Dartmouth College — Evaluative

Do interviews matter? Yes.

Dartmouth takes alumni interviews seriously as part of the holistic review, though availability still varies.

When:

• ED: Nov–Dec
• RD: Dec–Feb

Cornell University — Non-evaluative

Do interviews matter? Not at all (in most colleges), in fact they aren’t even available. Only for the College of Architecture, Art, and Planning are video interviews mandatory.  

Duke University — Evaluative

Do interviews matter? Yes, but availability varies widely.

Duke interviews can influence the file but lack of an interview is not a negative signal.

When:

• ED: Nov–Dec
• RD: Dec–Feb

University of Chicago — Non-evaluative

Do interviews matter? Not for admissions.

UChicago stopped offering interviews years ago and offers the chance to submit a video introduction, just like Brown.

Johns Hopkins University — No interviews

Hopkins encourages prospective students to get in touch with current students through official channels, but does not offer interviews as part of the admissions process anymore. 

Northwestern University — No interviews

Similar to Johns Hopkins, Northwestern no longer offers in-person or online interviews and instead encourages students to connect with current Northwestern students through their “Cat Chats.” 

Rice University — Evaluative

Do interviews matter? Yes.

Rice uses virtual interviews to assess communication, fit, and alignment with the school.

When:

• ED: Nov–Dec
• RD: Dec–Feb

Vanderbilt University— Not Offered to US Applicants

Do interviews matter? Not for US applicants, though they do offer the chance to submit an optional video introduction. That said, students attending international high schools or non-US applicants can schedule a video interview. 

Notre Dame — Not Offered

Do interviews matter? No.

Notre Dame does not conduct interviews for undergraduate admissions.

Georgetown University — Evaluative (strongly considered)

Do interviews matter? Yes.

Georgetown uses its required alumni interviews as a major part of the holistic review, particularly for global applicants.

When:

• EA: Nov–Dec
• RD: Dec–Feb

What Does It Mean If You Don’t Get an Interview?

Here’s the truth families need to hear:

At nearly every top school, NOT getting an interview means nothing about your odds of admission.

The biggest variables aren’t your application — they’re:

• alumni volunteer availability,
• geographic coverage,
• volume of applications in your area,
• admissions office bandwidth.

That’s why:

• Harvard admits many students who were never interviewed.
• Yale gives “unable to contact” a neutral rating.
• Stanford literally cannot interview all regions.
• MIT warns applicants not to worry if no EC is available.
• Cornell interviews don’t count anyway.

Final Thoughts: How to Approach College Interviews

If you receive an interview, treat it seriously — it’s a chance to bring your story to life.

If you don’t receive one, stay focused — it is not a red flag at almost every top institution.

The interview process varies wildly across selective colleges. Understanding the patterns helps reduce stress, set appropriate expectations, and keep applicants focused on what truly matters: strong essays, thoughtful recommendations, and authentic engagement with each school.