How does the Harvard alumni interview process work for applicants?

For Harvard College, the interview is usually an optional part of the application process that happens after you submit your application, not before. If an interviewer is available in your area, Harvard may assign you to an alumni interviewer, but not every applicant gets one, and not getting one is generally about availability rather than a signal about your chances.

The interviewer is typically a Harvard alumnus or alumna who volunteers to speak with applicants. After your application is submitted, you may be contacted by email to set up a time. The meeting can be in person, by phone, or by video, depending on logistics and local practice.

From the applicant side, it usually feels like a conversational meeting. The interviewer may ask about your academic interests, extracurriculars, what matters to you, why you are interested in Harvard, and how you spend your time. You can also ask questions, and that part is worth taking seriously because it helps make the conversation more natural.

After the interview, the alumnus writes a report and sends it to the admissions office. That report becomes one piece of your overall application, alongside your transcript, testing if submitted, activities, essays, recommendations, and other materials. The interview usually helps add personality and context rather than determining the decision on its own.