Supporting the Next Generation:

Harvard Club of Western North Carolina Interview Program Recap

Another year of interviewing the bright and accomplished high school students from around Western North Carolina wraps up.

Each year, members of the Harvard Club of Western North Carolina have the privilege of meeting some of the region's most talented high school seniors through the Harvard admissions interview program. The most recent cycle was no exception—highlighting both the extraordinary caliber of applicants and the meaningful role alumni play in the admissions process.

A Competitive Year

During this past admissions cycle, local alumni coordinated by Daniel Lopez, AB '97, and Angela Newnam, MBA '96, conducted 37 interviews with prospective students. Of those candidates, one student was offered admission and will enroll this fall, while several others were placed on the waitlist. Ultimately, no waitlisted candidates were admitted.

While these numbers reflect the highly selective nature of Harvard's admissions process, they also underscore a consistent reality: even exceptionally strong applicants are competing in an extraordinarily competitive pool. Interviewers noted that this year's cohort was particularly impressive, yet it is not unusual for the region to yield only one admitted student in a given year.

The Value of Alumni Interviews

Beyond admissions outcomes, the interviewing program offers significant value—to alumni, applicants, and the university alike.

Connecting Generations

For alumni interviewers, these conversations provide a unique window into the aspirations, perspectives, and achievements of today's students. Even brief interviews can spark reflection on how educational pathways and opportunities have evolved while reinforcing shared values across generations.

Building Alumni Community

The program also serves as a focal point for alumni engagement within Western North Carolina. Interviewing brings together a dedicated group of volunteers—many of whom travel considerable distances and have participated for years—around a shared purpose. This sense of community strengthens the local alumni network and fosters continued involvement.

Contributing to the Admissions Process

While Harvard's admissions office faces the daunting task of selecting among thousands of highly qualified candidates, alumni interviews offer an additional layer of context. Interviewers provide personal insights that can help illuminate an applicant's character, interests, and potential contributions. Although admissions decisions may not always reflect interviewers' enthusiastic recommendations, these evaluations remain an important component of the assessment of applicants.

Serving as Ambassadors

For many students in Western North Carolina, the interview may be their first direct interaction with a Harvard graduate. In this way, alumni serve as informal ambassadors for the university, offering a glimpse into Harvard's culture, opportunities, and community. This responsibility—representing the institution one student at a time—is both meaningful and rewarding.

Honoring Longstanding Leadership

The strength of the local interview program is built on decades of leadership and volunteer commitment. Notably, John Van Wye, AB '81, who led the Western North Carolina interviewing effort for over 25 years, will soon be recognized with the Miller-Huhn Alumni Award for his exceptional service to Harvard.

As the program continues under new leadership, there are plans to celebrate John's contributions with a gathering later this summer, potentially including this year's admitted student.

Looking Ahead

The Harvard Club of Western North Carolina remains committed to supporting the admissions interview program and welcomes additional alumni volunteers. Interviewing typically resumes in the fall, offering new opportunities to participate in this impactful effort.

For those interested in getting involved, the program provides a meaningful way to connect with fellow alumni, engage with outstanding students, and contribute to Harvard's admissions process. Email Daniel at harvard@dlopez.com. The group will begin organizing to interview early applicants in October, and then the regular applicant pool will be interviewed in January.