Preparing for Graduate School Admissions Interviews: Questions to Ask and Answer
Great news – you’ve been invited to interview at the graduate school of your choice! This means the program is seriously interested in you, and you’ve moved one important step closer to being accepted. To make the most of this opportunity, preparation is essential. Your goal is to demonstrate not only your enthusiasm for and knowledge of the program but also that you are well prepared for graduate study and have strong communication skills. You want to come to the interview ready to answer questions. Some of your interviewer’s questions might be ones you already responded to in your application, others might build on those responses, and some might be totally new and unexpected. You should also be prepared to ask the admissions staff, faculty member, and/or alumnus/alumna conducting the interview intelligent questions about aspects of the program. And you don’t want to ask questions for which the answer is available on the school’s website or can be found readily through other research .
There are many formats for graduate school interviews. In addition to individual interviews (a one-on-one conversation between an applicant and a school representative), there are series interviews (a number of one-on-one meetings between an applicant and different individual interviewers), panel interviews (in which an applicant is interviewed by a group of individuals), and group candidate interviews (in which several applicants are interviewed together by admissions representatives or faculty members). Group candidate interviews are more common at graduate programs in the fields of clinical psychology and counseling. Your interview day might include meetings with students and, if it is an in-person interview, a campus tour.
Plan for questions your interviewers might ask, such as the following:
- What would you like us to know about you?
- Why are you interested in this program?
- Describe an accomplishment of which you are proud.
- What personal attributes would you bring to this program?
- Is there any area of weakness in your application that you would like to address?
- Tell me about a time when you made a mistake. How did you deal with it?
- What are some of your interests outside of work and school?
- What do you think would be the most challenging part of this program for you? How might you prepare for that?
- Describe your shorter-term and longer-term career goals.
- Is there anything that you did not share in your application that would be useful for me to know as I consider your candidacy?
- What questions do you have for me?
Although you might have already addressed some of these topics in your application, be prepared to discuss them with your interviewer(s). This is an opportunity to go a bit deeper in person and expand on topics you might not have had room to write about in detail or even at all. It’s also an opportunity to share additional examples and new insights.
Mock interview prep is the best way to ensure that you are well prepared to both answer questions and ask your own. With strong preparation, you should be able to minimize your stress, allowing you to present yourself as relaxed, confident, and appreciative of the opportunity. Practicing your answers – without memorizing them – is an essential part of interview preparation.
Here’s how to begin your prep work for your interview.
1. Review the program’s website thoroughly.
This will help you discover where you have gaps in your knowledge, with respect to such topics as career support, internships, faculty members’ research interests, and teaching or research assistantships. Read about the program’s values, review faculty profiles, and learn about cocurricular opportunities, including graduate student organizations. Review data on recent graduates’ employment opportunities. When you identify faculty members whose research is of interest to you, read one or two of their publications, and write down some notes. Review the curriculum and the required courses and electives. Think about which classes interest you most and why. If you selected a particular specialization or focus area in the program, review its features and requirements. If field experience is a part of the academic program (typical in graduate programs in clinical psychology and social work), review the information on internships or practica sites and the placement process. If the program prepares you for licensure or certification, read about those requirements. If you attended an admissions open house, review the notes you took during that session.
2. Review the details of your application.
Reread your application to refresh your memory about the content and specifics of your essays, short answers, and other data. So, if your interviewer asks, for example, “What are some of your interests outside of school and work?” or “Tell me what you learned from a failure,” you will remember what you shared in your application or the details of the failure you wrote about, including what you learned from it. Just because you offered a specific anecdote in your application, you don’t have to repeat it, but be thoughtful in deciding what stories to tell in your interview. Review your resume and think about your accomplishments.
3. Review the interview schedule.
Most programs will send you a schedule prior to your interview. Look up your interviewers on the program’s website and on LinkedIn to learn about them and their background(s). Make notes about whether they are admissions staff, faculty, alumni, or students. In-person interviews might include lunch or a campus tour with one or more students. If your interview will be conducted virtually, test the platform ahead of time. You might have experience using Zoom, but that doesn’t mean you know how to use Google Chat or other platforms.
4. Create a list of questions for your interviewer(s).
After you have reviewed your application, reread your essays, and gone through the program’s website with a fine-tooth comb, make a list of questions that relate specifically to your interests, experience, and goals. Jot down whatever comes to mind. You don’t need to ask your interviewer every question on your list, but make sure you have a good number of options available. The best questions will highlight how well suited you are for the program. In other words, you want to connect the dots between the features of the program and your particular objectives, needs, and interests. Because everyone’s questions are individualized, it’s difficult to offer specific examples, but here are some general ones that might inform your own queries:
- What do you think is most distinctive about this program?
- Tell me more about _______. (Fill in the blank based on your website research; some examples are opportunities for teaching and research assistantships, opportunities for starting graduate student organizations, and networking with alumni.)
- Describe the kind of career support available to students and alumni.
- What is something I would not know about this program from reviewing the website?
You might develop additional questions based on what you learn during the interview.
If your admissions interview is with a recent graduate or a student, ask about their personal experience in the program. As the conversation flows, other questions might naturally arise, such as the following:
- What are/were your favorite classes? Professors?
- Are there any activities, clubs, or competitions that should not be missed?
- Do you wish you had done anything differently while in the program?
- For alumni: Tell me about your career path since graduating from the program.
You can do this! Now go ace those interviews!
The best way to feel confident going into your interview is to be absolutely sure you’ve taken the right steps to prepare. A mock interview and feedback from an Accepted admissions expert can help you put your best foot forward on the day of your interview. Schedule a free consultation today to get started!
By Alice Diamond, former associate dean for career and community service at Lesley University. Alice has a BA from Colgate University, an MA from Bryn Mawr College, and an MS from Cornell University. She has more than 35 years of experience in career and admissions advising for undergraduate and graduate candidates. Alice’s clients have been accepted to top programs in a wide range of fields. Want to work with Alice? Click here to get in touch!
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