Have you been invited to interview at the graduate school of your choice? Great news! This means the program is seriously interested in you, and you are one important step closer to acceptance. To make the most of this opportunity, preparation is essential. Your goal is not only to demonstrate your enthusiasm for and knowledge of the program but also to show that you are well prepared for graduate study and have strong communication skills. You want to come to the table ready to answer questions, some of which might be questions you answered in your application, some of which might build on those responses, and some which might be unexpected. You should be prepared to ask the admissions staff, faculty member, and/or alumnus/alumna conducting the interview intelligent questions about aspects of the program that you were unable to find on the website or through other research. Don’t ask questions for which the answer is available online.
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) and panel interviews ( in which an applicant is interviewed by a group of individuals at the same time). Another format is the group candidate interview, wherein 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.
Before we discuss ideas for questions you could ask at your interview, consider and plan for questions your interviewers might ask you, 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 fix 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 long-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 both to answer questions and to ask your own questions of the interviewer. 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 co-curricular opportunities, including graduate student organizations. Review data on recent graduates’ employment opportunities. When you identify faculty members whose research is of interest, read one or two of their publications, and write down some notes. If you selected a particular specialization or focus area in the program, review its features. If you attended an admissions open house, read 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 which interests you indicated in your application or the details of the failure you wrote about, including what you learned from it. Just because you described an anecdote in your application doesn’t mean you have to repeat it, but be thoughtful in deciding what stories to tell in your interview.
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 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 is to 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.
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 personal 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 help 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 inspire your more personal 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, 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.
Final details
Part of making a good impression at your interview is dressing appropriately. Business attire is recommended, and avoid any distracting accessories. If you’re doing a virtual interview, make sure you will be in a quiet place without disruptions, and that your background doesn’t detract from the focus on you as a prospective student. Your light source should be in front of you so that the light falls on your face. For in-person interviews, comfortable footwear that looks professional is important, given that you might be walking long distances.
Bring your materials, including paper and pen, in a folio that is easy to access, and make sure to have extra copies of your resume with you. Turn off your cell phone as soon as you arrive at the interview, and remember that your interview starts the moment you get to campus (for in-person interviews). Even casual interactions with individuals on your way to the interview location could end up being important.
After your interview, send thank-you emails to everyone you met during the process. Ideally, include references in these notes to topics you discussed during your interview, and reiterate your enthusiasm for joining the program.
You can do this! Go ace those interviews now!
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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