So, you've made it past the admissions committee and you are ready for the next step: the Interview!
In the post-pandemic world, interviews will often consist of two parts:
A general Zoom interview with prospective faculty
An in-person interview with prospective faculty, department staff, and on-campus support.
Zoom interviews give you and your potential mentor a low-risk environment to learn about the lab, talk about project(s), and learn more about the program.
Often times, these interviews are 30 minutes to 1 hour in length.
Preparation Tips for the Zoom Interview:
Faculty and Research: Understand the faculty members’ research areas and recent publications.
Have questions about their current projects ready.
Program Structure: Familiarize yourself with the program’s curriculum, research facilities, and any unique opportunities.
On-Campus interviews not only give your and your potential mentor time to chat about the project, lab, and program, but they also allow for a chance to explore the facilities, meet current students, and get a feel for the campus and lab culture.
Often times, you are given the schedule just a few days ahead of time. Be sure to look through the schedule and familiarize yourself with the people you will be meeting and what they are working on.
Tip: If there are any specific people you want to meet or facilities you want to see, do not be afraid to ask. This can include on-campus support centers or potential collaborators.
Preparation Tips for the On-Campus Interview:
Bring copies of your CV or Resume.
Re-read your Personal Statement, as you may be asked about specifics
Faculty and Research: Understand the faculty members’ research areas and recent publications.
Have questions about their current projects ready.
Program Structure: Familiarize yourself with the program’s curriculum, research facilities, and any unique opportunities.
Research Projects: Be prepared to discuss your previous research projects, methodologies, and findings.
Practice common questions (see Questions! for examples).
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The Big Interview Platform
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