Things I Wish I Knew About Interviewing for Graduate School
You successfully submitted your application package and have been invited to interview at an esteemed graduate school, congratulations! Now, you are entering the second stage — the interview. Following Part 1 of the ‘Things I Wish I Knew’ series, recently published here in the Medium, we asked the same students, staff, and faculty a new set of questions — this time, about nailing an academic interview.
Academic interviews have several nuances compared to traditional interviews, however, many of the classic interview success techniques still hold true: prepare, project confidence, provide deliberate responses, and use positive body language. Remember, an interview is not a one-way street, you are interviewing the program as much as they are interviewing you. Current students overwhelmingly indicated that the interview shaped their decision to attend a program (or not) by giving them a chance to understand how departments conducted their Ph.D. program and to witness the culture of the department.
What to expect on a typical interview day:
The interview day(s) is an opportunity for you to get a sense of the culture and vibe of the department. Think to yourself, is this somewhere I can see myself for the next few years? Do I feel like I can fit into the department’s culture, and get along with students and faculty? Do I see a research project (or a few research projects) I am interested in?
The interview day will likely consist of a welcome address from the larger institutional body, a welcome address from your specific program of interest, several short (15–30 minute) one-on-one interviews with faculty members that have mutual research interests, several short one-on-one conversations with current students, and a concluding social event. Although most prospective students focus on preparing for the faculty interviews, remember, you are being “interviewed” throughout the entire process. As such, always remember to conduct yourself professionally, whether in a faculty member’s office or speaking with a current student at the post-interview social.
Most schools will provide the interview day schedule shortly before the interview (the week of, or a few days before), including whom you will meet with and when. Not every faculty member you speak with will have perfectly aligned research interests with yours — and that is okay! There is still an opportunity to learn more about the program and additional research opportunities. If there is a specific faculty member that you were hoping to get a chance to speak with, but you are not scheduled to — it is okay to ask the program administrator if it would be possible to have an opportunity to meet with specific faculty. Additionally, the social event is also an excellent opportunity to approach faculty members (and students) that you have not yet formally met.
While the interview process is exciting, it is also quite draining. It is completely normal to feel exhausted from the process. It is tiring to prepare, perhaps travel many hours to the interview city, and then have to interview for a full day (and sometimes multiple days). Make sure to give yourself realistic expectations of the days before and after the interview — you may need some extra time for self-care and rest. This holds true for virtual interviews as well!
While the interview process may appear daunting, most of the actual “interviews” will end up feeling like a casual conversation. Had we known this, we would have felt less pressure about being “perfectly” prepared and would have taken a more conversational approach about our interests.
With virtual interviews likely being the norm for the current and potential future application cycles, here are some tips for succeeding virtually:
· Consider using a professional background/environment, or something that could start a conversation.
· Stay hydrated, take breaks, stay focused, and give yourself a big treat when you’re done. In between interviews, make sure to get up stretch, and take your eyes off the screen for a few minutes.
· Judge the program by how well they’ve managed the logistics of the event (at least their intentions), but also give them the benefit of the doubt, as this is still a new process for everyone.
· Use the zoom chats to connect with fellow interviewees, students, admin or faculty to exchange emails or notes for later exchanges. Some of your future friends and colleagues will be the people you interview with!
Remember, an interview is not a one-way street, you are interviewing the program as much as they are interviewing you.
How to prepare for your graduate school interview:
When we asked faculty what stood out to them when reviewing candidates, enthusiasm and preparedness were emphasized the most. The enthusiasm should come naturally, but the right kind of preparation (as outlined below), can help truly get you excited about the program.
Be engaged during the larger welcome addresses — these are great opportunities to learn about the values and priorities of your prospective institution and department from senior faculty, and space to differentiate yourself from other candidates by asking thoughtful questions. Pay attention to also what is not said, if there are topics not covered at the larger addresses, make sure to ask questions later. Conversations with current students can be an opportunity to learn about the program’s strengths and weaknesses more candidly, however, remember that these interactions are also part of the interview process.
Practice your elevator pitch, a brief description of your background and research interests. This may be the most important tool in your interview arsenal, given that many interactions might be short and you may be asked a few times to describe your research goals and experience. It is also a good idea to have a few versions of your elevator pitch, such as a 10-second pitch if introducing yourself in a large group, or a 1-minute version during a faculty interview. If you are finding it difficult to develop your elevator pitch for your research, try to start with a pitch on something completely random (e.g., a pencil, a book, or a mystery vacation) and practice with friends and family. This can help train you to think quickly on your feet and make it feel more natural to prepare this style of the pitch for your research.
Anticipate the common interview questions (some are below) and mentally outline (not memorize) your responses:
1. “Tell me about yourself” — In this case, the interviewer is specifically interested in hearing a succinct summary of your background and why you’re interested in a specific research topic. A successful (and non-rambling) answer to the question requires reflection — think about your original motivation for pursuing a Ph.D. at your interview location. Not only will the interviewers want to see that you have considered your decision to pursue a Ph.D. carefully, but remembering your original motivation will energize you for the interview day.
2. “What are your research interests” — It is completely acceptable at this point in the process to not have a perfectly defined dissertation idea. However, you do want to project confidence and that you not only have an area of research interest but also that you have done some prior work in that field. This is also a time to highlight your ability to think critically and be innovative. Highlight prior experience and describe your motivations for pursuing your interests to help tell your story, and signal to your interviewer that your motivation will not waiver during the 5+ years of a rigorous Ph.D. program.
3. “Why did you choose this school and program” — To the best of your ability, be knowledgeable about the research that faculty are doing in the department, the academic programs, and what the department distinctly offers. Do not feel like you need to read every paper a faculty member has published and refer back to papers. Instead, you should be generally aware of what a faculty member’s research is about and how your research goals align with their current work.
4. “Do you have any questions for me” — A conscientious inquiry shows preparedness and engagement. Make sure to ask questions about things that are important to you in a program (e.g., teaching opportunities, conferences, interdisciplinary projects, and/or internship availability).
What TO DO during your interview
● The most important piece of advice is simply to be yourself. During the interview, you should not attempt to fit the mold of a school to be accepted. If you feel like you need to change your views, interests, or self during the interview then it is likely not the program for you.
● Be prepared to take notes during the interview. Especially if you are interviewing at multiple places, there will be a lot of information and emotions to keep track of. When you are making your decision, go back to these notes and reflect- how did you feel while interviewing at each program? Were the students and faculty happy and welcoming? Did it seem like you will be supported during your studies?
● Balance your strengths (skills) with your weaknesses (areas of improvement). You are likely applying to graduate school to develop a specific skill set and dive into a particular research question. As such, there are both skills you will need to have and skills you will need to obtain to ultimately achieve that goal. You want to show that you are both capable of the studies you are proposing and that you were thoughtful in picking programs that provide you with the training and skills to succeed. For example, while you won’t be expected to have a fully prepared statistical skillset, you may want to emphasize that you are familiar with statistics from coursework or a previous job.
● Ask questions that will help you find out if a program or faculty match is right for you. Every individual has their own method of working, type of mentoring/mentee style, and work ethic. You want whoever you work with in the future (student/faculty/ etc.) to match the style that is going to make you feel the most supported and therefore successful. For example, is the advisor hands-on or hands-off? Are there regular lab meetings? What degree of peer mentoring is available in the program? As mentioned in the previous article, funding is an extremely important aspect of applying to graduate school — remember to ask about funding models and whether the funding is for the entire period or if there are restrictions.
Other important questions for potential advisors and programs:
● What outside resources does the program/department have? (e.g., library access, access to workshops, computer labs, printing, etc.)
● Will you have the opportunity to teach/present/publish/patent? (depending on your field and career aspirations)
● Remember that what you say is important but HOW you say it may be just as or more important. Elocution and non-verbal signaling/body language are incredibly important skills that should be part of your interview toolkit. Combine your key messages with appropriate non-verbal cues (e.g., sit up straight, appropriate eye contact) to make a stronger impression.
● Speak with current students (specifically students that work with faculty you want to work with). Current students are invaluable sources of information not just about the program but also the culture of the university and what might be your new home city or town.
● Most importantly, be genuine and be yourself. Make sure not to fake knowledge or enthusiasm for topics that are not really your interest or strengths. If you are accepted you will be doing this for 4–5 years so make sure you are setting yourself up to be successful and have fun.
What NOT to do during your interview:
● Do not feel like you need to read every paper a faculty member has published and refer back to papers. Instead, you should be generally aware of what a faculty member’s research is about and how your research goals align with their current work. There is a distinction between “I read your 2021 publication about greenhouse gases, it was great” versus “I saw your recent work has focused on greenhouse gases, which is something I have a particular interest in — do you foresee future projects available to incoming students?”
● Do not feel the pressure to leave or rush to interviews or feel stressed if an interview starts late — that is not your fault and part of the process. Interview days will be jam-packed and chaotic, with prospective students, current students, faculty, and administrators moving in and out of rooms and overflow spaces that they aren’t used to using. It is common that interviews may run a little over or people may be a little late. This may be particularly true for virtual formats, especially with technological difficulties.
● Avoid general questions or asking questions to just ask questions, “Tell me about the program”, “What are you looking for in a Ph.D. student” Instead, expand on your knowledge by asking clarification questions. Instead of asking, “What kind of research do you do?”, ask, “what kind of research projects will be available in the next few years?” (Remember: There is always a lag between what is publicly posted and what is actually happening.)
● Nervous talk. Sometimes people get nervous and talk a lot. Sometimes prospective students who did not practice their “elevator pitch” will spend the first half of or two-thirds of an interview talking about their background, current work, and research interests, without leaving room for a response, or an opportunity for questions. Try to be present with the person you are meeting with; you can impress them with your questions, not just your experiences and interests. You can also demonstrate good listening. But don’t get so nervous about impressing people that you talk the whole time.
● Avoid sending non-general thank you or follow up emails to all students or faculty. When appropriate, a thankful follow-up email is appreciated, but avoid copy and pasting messages across the board. Sending a thank-you email after the interview is beneficial — not as a matter of manners, but to reinforce your interest in the program and why you think you would be a good fit.
Ok, so the interview is done. What now?
Breathe! Take a chance to give yourself a well-deserved break and step away from the process for a few days. Reflect and review your notes. If there is something you were unable to get answered during the interview — follow up.
Having gone through this process ourselves, we can certainly empathize with you and understand how challenging interviewing can appear. Remember, the interview is an opportunity to see if the program is the right fit for you. Confidence is key, and it comes from a combination of self-reflection (recognizing how awesome and truly qualified you are, no imposters around here!) and preparation. When providing responses during the interview, brevity and clarity are key, which will come with practice.
Remember, you were invited to the interview because you are an exceptionally qualified candidate, so just be yourself, relax, and enjoy the process!
Written by: Alexa Friedman and Sean Mueller, Ph.D. Students Boston University School of Public Health Department of Environmental Health.
This article would not have been possible without the support and help of the faculty, staff, and students of the Boston University School of Public Health Department of Environmental Health.
