Are interviews more important for Carnegie Mellon or Penn admissions?

Neither: for most undergraduate applicants, an interview is not an admissions lever at Carnegie Mellon or Penn. Carnegie Mellon does not use a standard applicant interview in its undergraduate admission process, while Penn’s optional Alumni Conversations are informational rather than evaluative.

At Carnegie Mellon, put the time you might have spent preparing for a conventional interview into the parts of the application the university actually reviews: academic preparation, course choices, activities, recommendations, and any required or relevant creative materials. Some specialized programs, particularly performance- or portfolio-based areas, can have separate auditions, interviews, or review requirements; those are program-specific assessments, not a university-wide alumni interview process.

At Penn, an Alumni Conversation can still be worthwhile because it gives you a chance to ask informed questions and explain what you hope to explore on campus. Treat it as a genuine exchange, not a test: be ready to discuss a few interests or experiences, but do not try to deliver a rehearsed admissions pitch.