Does Princeton interview every applicant?

Hi folks, just submitted my app to Princeton and I’ve been hearing about interviews. Does Princeton try to interview all their applicants or is it more selective? Also, if you do get an interview, what does it signal about your application?

Hello there! Congratulations on submitting your application to Princeton! It's definitely an exciting and a bit of a nerve-wracking time. To your question, Princeton does its best to offer interviews to all applicants, so a lot of students will have that opportunity.

However, whether you get an interview can sometimes depend on the availability of alumni interviewers in your area. If the alumni network isn't as dense where you live, you might not get an interview, but that won't count against you in the admissions process.

As for what it signals if you do get an interview, try not to read too much into it. While it's a great chance to learn more about the University and to share more about yourself, getting an interview is not an indicator of the status of your application. It's more about logistics and availability than a reflection of your candidacy.

It's a common misconception that an interview means your application has reached a certain threshold. So, no matter what, concentrate on the parts of the process you can control, like preparing for the interview in case you do get that invitation.

Familiarize yourself with typical interview questions and think about how you'd like to represent your interests and experiences. Remember, it's also an opportunity for you to interview Princeton and see if it's a match for you! Best of luck, and hopefully your interview opportunity comes through soon!