How to Ace the Graduate School Admissions Interview
What to Expect and How to Prepare
For Students and Par
by Tara Kuther, Ph.D.
If you've received an invitation to interview at a graduate school of choice, congratulate yourself. You've made it to the short list of applicants under serious consideration for admission. If you have not received an invitation, don't fret. Not all graduate programs interview and the popularity of admissions interviews vary by program. Here's what to expect and some tips on how to prepare so you do your very best.
Purpose of the Interview
The purpose of the interview is to let members of the department get a peek at you and meet you, the person, and see beyond your application. Sometimes applicants who seem like a perfect match on paper aren't so in real life. What do the interviewers want to know? Whether you have what it takes to succeed in graduate school and the profession, like maturity, interpersonal skills, interest, and motivation. How well do you express yourself, manage stress and think on your feet?
What to Expect
Interview formats vary considerably. Some programs request applicants to meet for half of an hour to an hour with a faculty member, and other interviews will be full weekend events with students, faculty and other applicants. Graduate school interviews are conducted by invitation, but the expenses are nearly always paid for by applicants. In some unusual cases, a program may assist a promising student with travel expenses, but it's not common.
If you're invited to an interview, try your best to attend -- even if you have to pay the travel expenses. Not attending, even if it's for a good reason, signals that you're not seriously interested in the program.
During your interview, you'll talk with several faculty members as well as students. You might engage in small group discussions with students, faculty and other applicants.
Participate in discussions and demonstrate your listening skills but do not monopolize the conversation. The interviewers might have read your application file but don't expect them to remember anything about you. Because the interviewer is unlikely to remember much about each applicant, be forthcoming about your experiences, strengths and professional goals. Be mindful of the salient facts you wish to present.
How to Prepare
Learn about the program and faculty. familiarize yourself with the training emphasis and faculty research interests.
Review your own interests, goals, and qualifications. Note what things make you a good match for the program. Be able to explain how your goals and qualifications match what the program has to offer.
Take the perspective of faculty members. What can you contribute to their graduate program and research? Why should they accept you? What skills do you bring that will help a professor advance in his or her research?
Anticipate questions and rehearse potential answers.
Prepare intelligent questions to ask.
During the Interview
Remember your goals during your interview: to convey your interest, motivation, and professionalism and to gather the information you need to determine if this is the graduate program for you.
In meetings with graduate students, try to ask questions that reveal what they really think about their advisers and the program. Most students will be forthcoming -- especially in one-on-one conversations.
Don't underestimate the potential influence of current graduate students. Present your best side because current graduate students may be in a position to help or hurt your application.
Some interviews include social events like parties. Don't drink (even if others do). Remember that even though it seems like a party, it's an interview. Assume that you're being evaluated at all times.
Empower Yourself: You're Interviewing Them, Too
Remember that this is your chance to interview the program, its facilities, and its faculty. You'll tour the facilities and lab spaces as well as have the opportunity to ask questions.
Take this opportunity to assess the school, program, faculty, and students to determine if it's the right match for you. During the interview, you should evaluate the program just as the faculty is evaluating you.
Smiling African American young adult at a job interview
asiseeit / Getty Images
https://www.thoughtco.com/all-about-graduate-school-admissions-interview-1686242
|
| Check Out More Graduate School Articles & Content
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
Arizona Summit Receives WRBLSA Award
Arizona Summit was recently awarded the 2016 Black Student Law Association Chapter Award at the
Western Region Black Law Students Association (WRBLSA)'s 48th annual convention held during the
first week of January in San Diego.
|
 |
Charlotte School of Law AAMPLE®
If a lower LSAT score is hurting your chances of getting into law school, Charlotte School of
Law (CSL) offers the Alternative Admissions Model Program for Legal Education (AAMPLE), a
seven-week online class that helps prospective students prove they are able to handle a
demanding law school curriculum.
|
 |
Florida Coastal Law's Practitioner Clinics
Florida Coastal Law's Practitioner Clinic is an innovative course offering students a chance
to work closely on pro bono cases with a practicing lawyer. Students are often invited to
work on these cases in the practitioner's office off campus, and the Clinics are offered as
two credits with an evening classroom component.
|
 |
Center for Professional Development
Arizona Summit's Center for Professional Development (CPD) is a full-service career counseling
and resource center that supports and assists students in all stages of the career planning
process, while helping employers fill their semester, summer, and permanent hiring needs.
|
 |
Charlotte Law Compliance Certificate Program
Students with or without a legal background can pursue a career in the rapidly growing
field of compliance and ethics. Charlotte Law is one of the few law schools in the U.S.
offering a Corporate Compliance Certificate Program entirely online. It's an 18-week
platform that prepares students for the Compliance Certification Board exam.
|
 |
Florida Coastal Law Offers LLM & Certificate in Logistics & Transportation
Florida Coastal Law is the first law school in the U.S. to offer an online LL.M. Degree or
Certificate in Logistics & Transportation. Students in the 24-credit LL.M. or 12-credit
Certificate program gain expertise in global logistics and transportation law through
cutting-edge courses taught by attorneys and industry professionals online.
|
 |
Share Graduate School Content!
Got info to share with the community? Post Graduate School content here!
|
|
|
|
|
