Embarking on the journey to graduate school? If so, congratulations are in order. You have navigated the intricate maze of applications, and now you find yourself at the doorstep of grad school interviews — the final frontier.
Of course, there’s a flurry of questions that might pop into your mind, such as, “Why are grad school interviews important?” “How should I prepare?” “What kind of questions will they ask?”
Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered.
I’ve broken down your questions into detailed sections throughout this comprehensive guide. Together, we’ll cover topics like why grad school interviews are crucial, how you can effectively prepare, the types of questions you might anticipate, and tips for formulating the best possible responses. Without further ado, let’s get started!
Why are Grad School Interviews Important?
One of the first things we need to understand as we dive into talking about grad school interview questions is why the grad school interview matters so much in the first place.
As it happens, there are actually a couple of reasons:
- It lets the admissions committee assess your potential: While your written application provides an overview of your academic credentials and achievements, it doesn’t fully convey your personality, interpersonal skills, or motivation. The interview bridges this gap, it becomes a platform for you to truly express yourself and why you are a strong candidate.
- It lets the admissions committee gauge your motivations: The admissions committee wants to see a clear vision of why you want to commit to years of research and advanced studies. This passion often becomes visible during a face-to-face interview.
- It gives you a chance to better understand the program: Through the interaction in a grad school interview, you can get a feel for the academic environment, faculty, culture, and fellow students who could potentially become your close peers.
All of these are reasons why bringing your A-game to your grad school interview is so critical.
How to Prepare for Your Grad School Interview
Okay, so you know why the grad school interview is so important. But, how do you prepare for it properly in order to be successful?
Let’s go over a couple of different ways to help you get in the right mindset and have what you need in order to make it past the interview.
Research
You need to know the program like the back of your hand. Explore the university’s website and read about the faculty members, the courses being offered, and the program’s objectives.
For example, if you’re applying for a Psychology program, you would want to know about the specific areas of psychology the program specializes in, the notable faculty members and their research, and the type of fieldwork or research opportunities the program offers.
Reflect on Your Motivations and Goals
Why are you interested in this program? How does it align with your career goals? Consider those who choose to pursue career coaching. Perhaps they did so after recognizing their passion for helping others succeed and realizing how a degree in Psychology could enhance their skills.
Review Your Past Experiences, Internships, Projects, or Research
Think about the skills and knowledge you’ve gained from them. Aside from the skills gained, reflect on the challenges you overcame and how those experiences led to your decision to further studies.
Doing Mock Interviews
Practice makes perfect, right? Find a friend, family member, or mentor who can conduct a practice interview with you. Perhaps your first mock interview can be with a mentor from your undergraduate university. This can be immensely helpful in highlighting areas for improvement.
Know the Structure and Format of the Interview
Interviews can take different forms- from one-on-one interactions, panel interviews, or even group interviews. For instance, your grad school interview can be a combination of a panel interview followed by individual one-on-ones with potential future faculty members.
Types of Questions to Expect at a Graduate School Interview
As I just mentioned, one of the ways that you can prepare for your graduate school interview is to practice potential questions. This not only gives you an idea of what to expect, but it also allows you to prepare thoughtful, concise responses.
With that said, there are a few different categories of interview questions you might come across. Let’s check out some of the different types to help you better prepare.
Personal Questions
These are designed to give the interviewer insight into who you are as a person. They could include queries like “Can you tell us a bit about yourself?” or “What interests you outside of your academic pursuits?” While answering, remember to highlight personal qualities that make you an ideal candidate for the program.
Academic Questions
These are aimed at understanding your academic background, your passion for the chosen field, and your research methodologies. You could be asked something like, “Can you describe your undergraduate thesis and its significance?” or “Can you talk about a project that particularly challenged you and how you overcame those challenges?” Be ready to discuss your past academic experiences in detail.
Career-Focused Questions
These questions can be both about your past experience and future goals and will gauge your professional motivations. Examples include “What are your career goals?” or “How do you see our program helping you achieve these goals?” Highlight how the program aligns with your professional objectives.
Situational Questions
These kinds of questions place you in hypothetical scenarios to see how you would react. A question like “How would you handle a disagreement with a professor?” is common. In your response, it’s essential to showcase your problem-solving skills and diplomatic abilities.
Behavioral Questions
Behavioral questions delve into how you have handled situations in the past, suggesting how you might behave in the future. These could include “Can you discuss a time when you had to resolve a conflict in a team?” or “Describe a situation where you had to juggle multiple responsibilities.” Your answers should reflect your ability to work in a team, manage your time effectively, and resolve conflicts.
Common Questions and Sample Answers for a Grad School Interview
Now that we’ve talked about the different types of grad school interview questions, it’s time to dive in and check out some examples. Remember, these aren’t necessarily all the questions you’ll be asked, but they can certainly give you an idea of what might be thrown your way.
“Tell Me About Yourself”
This question is almost always a given and sounds simple, but the open-ended nature can make it a bit daunting. The key here is to focus on the parts of your life story that not only correlate with your pursuit of a graduate degree but also illustrate your potential as a grad student.
Example: “Having grown up in a family of educators, I’ve always been passionate about learning and education. I realized my interest in Child Psychology during my undergraduate internship at XYZ Foundation, where I got the opportunity to engage closely with children facing emotional and academic issues. Seeing the difference I could make in their lives motivated me to delve deeper. Hence, I’m eager to continue my academic journey and contribute to this field.”
“Why Did You Choose Our School?”
When facing this question, it’s essential to detail your knowledge of the school and program, showing that you have done your homework.
Example: “Your university offers an unparalleled platform for growth in Child Psychology with an emphasis on research, something that aligns perfectly with my aspirations. Furthermore, the work that Professor A is doing in the area of adolescent mental health resonates strongly with me. I believe that being here will equip me with the necessary tools to make a difference in the field.”
“Tell Me About a Project That Didn’t Go as Planned.”
With this question, the panel is likely interested in your problem-solving skills and resilience – not in exposing your failures.
Example: “In my final year as an undergrad, I had to lead a group project that aimed at developing early intervention programs for children with learning disabilities. Despite thorough planning, we faced unforeseen obstacles, such as the sudden unavailability of some group members and logistical issues. However, these challenges taught me important lessons on versatility and improvisation. I learned to delegate tasks effectively and use virtual tools for some portions of the program. In retrospect, this project enhanced my leadership skills and resilience, preparing me for future challenging scenarios.”
In-Depth Questions and Sample Answers for a Grad School Interview
Graduate school interviews often involve more complex, thought-provoking questions that dig deeper into your academic interests and character. This is a moment to showcase your unique potential as a graduate student, so let’s explore some of these questions and how they could be effectively answered.
Here are some examples of in-depth interview questions you might be asked.
“Describe How Your Research Interests Align With Our Program.”
Interviewers also want to know what kind of research you’re conducting and if this will actually be a good fit.
Example answer: In diving into my undergraduate degree, I developed a keen interest in cognitive psychology, particularly the intricate relationships between memory, attention, and decision-making. After a thorough review of your program, I was impressed by the range of research projects currently taking place in this space. With Professor Smith’s groundbreaking work on cognitive biases and their impact on decision making and Professor Johnson’s research on the role of attention in memory recall, I see an exciting opportunity to contribute and expand this field with my own research interests.
“How Do You Handle Constructive Criticism or Feedback?”
Your answer to this question shows an eagerness for growth and development, which is a quality that’s highly attractive in potential students.
Example answer: I view constructive criticism as an essential tool for growth and development. During one of my recent projects, my professor pointed out that the methodology used in my research was not robust enough. At first, it was a bit hard to swallow, but I took the feedback positively and started work on improving the research design. I constantly aim to learn and improve from all feedback I receive because I understand that constructive criticism is invaluable for my academic and personal evolution.
“What Do You See as a Potential Challenge in This Program and How Will You Handle It?”
When you go to grad school, not everything will be smooth sailing. Sometimes, you may face challenges in your program as well. Interviewers want to know that you’ll stick with the program and that you’re open to using those challenges for learning and growth.
Example answer: “I understand that graduate school will be demanding, and one of the challenges I foresee is balancing coursework, research, and assistantship responsibilities. However, I am prepared to handle this challenge. My approach involves strong time management skills, prioritizing tasks, and maintaining open communication with advisors regarding workload and expectations. In my undergraduate years, I often juggled multiple obligations, so I am confident in my ability to adapt to a busy schedule.”
Unique Questions and Sample Answers for a Grad School Interview
Now that we’ve explored the more common and difficult questions you might face, let’s delve into some more unique situations. These questions have the potential to catch you off guard if you’re not adequately prepared, as they are less likely to be based on your academic qualifications and more likely to explore your character, values, and creativity.
“If You Could Have Dinner With Anyone, Who Would It Be and Why?”
This question is open-ended and aims to explore your inspirations and interests and to understand what matters most to you.
An effective response could be, “I’d choose to have dinner with Issac Newton. Since my field of study is physics, I would be intrigued to discuss his theories of motion and gravity and see how his innovative thinking could spark new ideas in today’s context.”
“How Would You Contribute to Our School’s Diversity?”
This question seeks to uncover what unique perspectives, experiences, or backgrounds you may bring to the school community.
A possible response might sound like this: “Coming from a small town in the Midwest, I’ve learned the importance of community and the strength that comes from varied perspectives. I can contribute to your program’s diversity by bringing this small-town perspective to discussions, sharing unique community-based problem-solving approaches, and championing the importance of close-knit community values in a larger educational environment.”
Tips for Formulating Good Answers for a Grad School Interview
Now that you know what kinds of questions to expect in your interview, let’s chat about a couple of tips to help you formulate good answers. After all, knowing what questions might come your way isn’t going to be any use if you can’t come up with good answers to them!
Remember, a grad school interview isn’t just about getting the ‘right’ answers. It’s about showing your potential, your enthusiasm for your chosen field, and demonstrating how well you’ll fit into their program.
Here are a couple of tips to get you started in crafting clever and creative answers to grad school interview questions.
Use the STAR method
The STAR method is an excellent structure for answering behavioral-based interview questions. It stands for Situation (S), Task (T), Action (A), and Result (R). Let me illustrate this with an example.
If asked: “Describe a challenging situation and how you overcame it?” Using the STAR method, you would answer:
- Situation: “In my previous job, I had to work on a project that had tight deadlines and a limited budget.”
- Task: “My task was to ensure the project was completed on time and within budget.”
- Action: “I carefully allocated tasks to my team members based on their strengths, monitored their progress regularly, and managed the budget by prioritizing essential expenditures.”
- Result: “As a result, the project was completed on time and even under budget. This experience helped me develop my project management and leadership skills.”
Tailor Your Responses
Another key way to respond to grad school interview questions is to customize your answers to match the program’s values and goals. If, for example, the program values interdisciplinary research and teamwork, mention instances where you’ve demonstrated these abilities.
Show Personal Growth
Interviewers love to see that you can learn from your experiences. So, when discussing challenges or failures, make sure you highlight what you learned from the situation and how you’ve applied that learning since.
Demonstrate Clear Understanding of the Field
Effective communication about your understanding and passion for your chosen field is crucial. To accomplish this, you should study recent trends, clarify the skills you’ve gained through academic and work experiences, and express enthusiasm for future learning.
Showcase Connections with Your Career Goals
Graduate school is an investment towards your future career. Therefore, being able to articulate how the program aligns with your career aspirations is important. Create a narrative that connects your past achievements, the graduate program, and your future goals.
Be Concise
Remember, interviewers have limited time. Therefore, while it’s important to be comprehensive in your responses, also strive to be clear and to the point. Practice common interview questions to ensure you can convey key points promptly.
Be authentic
Lastly, it’s always best to be honest and authentic with your responses. The interviewers aren’t just interested in what you say but also how you say it. Your genuineness helps them understand who you are as a person beyond just your qualifications and achievements.
Start Your Studies in a Graduate Program
Going into a graduate school interview may seem intimidating, but remember: this is just as much an opportunity for you to get to know the school as it is for them to get to know you. You have every right to be in that room, discussing your future.
If you’ve got a grad school interview coming up, knowing a couple of common questions can help you properly prepare. Do your homework on the prospective program and faculty, and make sure you’re up-to-date with the latest in your field. With those tips, you’ll be sure to ace your interview and get into the program you want.
Do you still need some guidance in interviewing for grad school? Check out our other articles with more tips and tricks to help you out.
