Hopeful Applicants

For years I have been the Chair of the Philadelphia Committee of the Penn Alumni Interview Program and, as Chair, lately I have not been doing that many interviews, instead working with a great group of Interview Managers to ensure each applicant to Penn, from Philadelphia, gets a chance to speak to a graduate of Penn, ask questions about Penn's campus and culture, and allows the applicant to add a 3rd dimension to their application.  But, on the 37th day of 2021, I had a slate of interviews to conduct.  Penn got over 55,000 applications this year (10K more than their last high), I think the test-optional brought a lot of people too hesitant to apply in the past, to join the pool.  So I buckled down and took a bunch of interviews and, on 2/6/21, I was rewarded with hopeful applicants.  I love talking to young people, excited about the future and, of course, I love talking about Penn.  These hopeful applicants energized me after a long week at work, and I remain hopeful for their chances as well.

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