i have a couple questions about the graduate school interviews. first, what are some general questions they ask? i'm applying to school psychology programs so if you know of any specific questions, that would be great.

second, i applied to a couple schools in florida. if i get an interview, would they most likely do a phone interview? my dad said i really need to travel down there (miami and tampa) to show them i'm really eager to get in; however, all of my first choices are in NC and i don't have much money for traveling. would they offer a phone interview first or would i have to ask for one? and if i ask for one, would they look down upon that?

2/13/2007 9:04:07 PM

When an out of state school wanted to interview me/or wanted me to tour they paid for everything. The one interview I did was informal and it basically was similar questions to the ones they wanted you to address in your purpose statement.

2/13/2007 9:21:01 PM

The grad school should pay for the trip (at least that is how it works in science).

2/14/2007 9:05:01 AM

For the interview, they basicly want to see that you have the intellectial capacity and work ethic to do their research for the next 2-7 years. A professor's time is eaten up by teaching and grant writing. Therefore, it becomes the job of the grad student to do the bulk of the real science. As a result, professors are looking for students that they feel comfortable with signing their name on their student's work. Obviously, they are going to want to get a feel for any research experience you have as well as what your talents and interests are to make sure that you meet their needs.

If they want to interview you, they'll pay for it.

2/14/2007 11:04:27 AM

I interviewed at Duke recently - I was all prepared for some surprise questions but they just really want to know the main things (you'll be surprised at how quickly a 45 minute interview goes by)...

Tell me about your research. In detail. What did you find? Why did you ask those questions? How did you analyze the data? (I can't stress this enough.)

Why do you want to go to graduate school? They DON'T want to get the impression that you just thought of this idea a few months ago, or that there's "nothing else" to do. They need to know that you've planned on this, worked toward it, and fully understand what's involved.

Do you have any questions for us? Don't get caught off guard by this question. Ask them about opportunities for independent research, for collaboration, how many students start publishing, opportunities for professional development (if you plan to be a professor), what they look for in a grad student, etc. Don't ask questions that are on the website, etc.

Good luck! It's stressful but it goes by quickly. Just take deep breaths and don't be afraid to pause and think before answering.

[Edited on February 14, 2007 at 12:11 PM. Reason : PM me if you have more questions]

2/14/2007 12:03:31 PM

generally if you have an interview you are going to be accepted (in science anyway). they are mainly making sure that they did not completely b.s. their accomplishments, etc. by getting you to talk about them (mainly research, in science anyway again).

also, you will probably hang out with grad students at some point. they are there to evaluate you as well so don't talk shit about your undergrad, professors, etc. apparently this happens every year and people don't get admitted b/c of it.

2/14/2007 12:30:00 PM

thanks for the great responses. i got offered an interview at a SC school and they just sent directions to the school and hotel numbers. it's only a short drive, but they definitely weren't going to pay for anything. all the interview times were during spring break and i already have reservations down in florida so i called them and she scheduled me for a phone interview. i hate talking on the phone, but i guess i could have short notes in front of me.

how long do most interviews last? i know chartreuse said 45 minutes. is it 45 minutes of straight talking or is that included when you meet grad students, etc.?

2/14/2007 4:39:14 PM

45 min. with the potential advisor (minimum)

Our interviews for my research group are generally a 2 day process once you factor in touring facilities, meeting faculty, being evaluated by your potential advisor, and meeting the research group you'll be working with.

2/14/2007 4:51:57 PM

Duke had the following schedule:

thursday night - dinner (~2 hours) with the graduate students
friday - four 45 min interviews with professors you wanted to work with (if you only mentioned 1 or 2, the other remaining profs were just random ones from the dept.), lunch with faculty/grad students and a lecture
friday night - dinner at a prof's house
saturday morning - brunch/tour of campus with grad students

so yeah - four 45 min interviews of straight talking

2/14/2007 5:24:11 PM

Quote :

"also, you will probably hang out with grad students at some point. they are there to evaluate you as well so don't talk shit about your undergrad, professors, etc. apparently this happens every year and people don't get admitted b/c of it."

Good advice; did not know about this.

2/14/2007 6:24:14 PM

The science model people have been telling you above may not apply for your major (i.e a lot of students haven't done any true research already in the Social Sciences). As a fellow social science grad student here is how it worked for me. Usually, if the school is bringing you in for an interview or tour then you have pretty much been accepted (most schools accepted me then asked me to come informally interview or tour). I applied to Michigan, NCSU, Virginia, Virginia Tech, and Florida State.

The places I went to interview/tour the process usually consisted of: (1) dinner at professors house with grad students, (2) every school I went to the graduate students took you out that night to do things, (3) the next day was meeting with a potential advisor and usually two or three other professors working on similar research (potentially your committee). (4) then usually another dinner and going out, and some tours of facilities and campus.

For me the interviews/talks were basically just chats about interests and anything unique on your application.

I would be skeptical if they didn't offer to pay for things. It may mean the interview really is important so be ready (i.e. you may be on the bubble so to speak). Do the programs you are applying to offer full funding, if so the interview may be important for this aspect. They might be compiling a list of backups (I was one for my top school, I got acceptance w/o funding then toured there, and apparently a few people turned them down so then I was moved up to acceptance with funding). A lot of my friends moved from deferred to acceptance when top candidates went somewhere else.

2/15/2007 12:09:05 AM

Quote :

"also, you will probably hang out with grad students at some point. they are there to evaluate you as well so don't talk shit about your undergrad, professors, etc. apparently this happens every year and people don't get admitted b/c of it."

please don't take this too far and be one of those annoying people who are in 'interview' mode the whole time -- it's better to be relaxed and normal (hopefully 'normal' for you means you won't be talking shit about your potential advisor or anything)

my grad dept has a pretty big open house for prospective students every march with plenty of chances to interact socially with current grad students, professors, etc -- it drives me crazy to have to talk to someone who's basically bragging about their resume, research, whatever when i'm just trying to hang out and have a beer -- just chill out

2/15/2007 11:03:53 AM