How To Prepare for a Graduate School Interview

You'll probably be more than a little nervous on interview day. Here are some tips to help you make the experience more manageable.

Before the Interview

• Arrive early if you can. Nothing is worse than being late to an interview, so make sure to give yourself plenty of time to get there. Don't be rushed.
• Don't bring family members or girlfriends/boyfriends to the interview. Drop them off at the mall; give them movie money. Just don't take them to your interview!
• Be sure to review your application and your personal statement before you arrive. The interviewer may ask you specific questions concerning your application and personal statement. Bring a copy with you.
• After arriving at the admissions office, be sure to be polite to the receptionist or other support staff. A rude comment or inappropriate behavior can quickly be passed on to admissions committee members.
• Treat every interaction as if it were an integral part of the interview.

 During the Interview

• Acknowledge the interviewer by name ("Hello, Dr. X"), and introduce yourself.
• Shake hands (firm, but not bone crunching).
• Maintain eye contact
• Don't fidget
• Don't cross arms
• Don't touch any items on teh interviewer's desk
• Try not to speak too quickly
• Smile at appropriate times
• Avoid being arrogant and dogmatic.
• If the interviewer is being antogonistic, do not answer in kind. Think before you speak. Do not raise your voice. Speak slowly. Be cool and composed.
• If you don't know the answer to a specific question, don't be afraid to say that you don't know. If you try to make something up, the interviewer will see right through you. This could simply be a composure test. It takes great deal of maturity to simply say, "I don't know." (Of course, you can't answer "I don't know" if the question is "Tell me about yourself.")

After the Interview

• Shake hands and say good-bye
• You should write your interviewer a thank-you note. Be sure to obtain the address of the interviewer through the admissions office or get their card. A short note or email is appropriate (but no novelty greeting cards, please). Try to mention something specific about your interview.
• You can express your continued interest in the school, but don't grovel. The truth is that the thank-you not probably won't make any difference in your candidacy.

Sample Graduate School Interview Questions

1. Tell me about yourself.
2. What are your strengths and wearkenesses?
3. What are your plans if you're not accepted? Plan B?
4. What do you believe your greatest challenge will be if you are accepted into this program?
5. Describe one or two accomplishments.
6. How do you motivate yourself?
7. What can you offer this program that other applicants cannot?
8. What would you change about yourself and why?
9. What would you say is an area in which you need improvement?
10. Do you have any hobbies or outside interests?
11. What activities do you enjoy most outside of the classroom?

Experience

1. Tell me about your last experience (internship. job, volunteer, clinicial, practicum, etc.) What was a challenge? What was a contribution you made?
2. Why have you chosen to apply to our program?
3. Why did you decide to become a (i.e. physical therapist)?
4. What do you know about your school/program?
5. What is your philosophy regarding this profession?
6. Explain a situation in which you had a conflict and how you resolved it. What did you learn?
7. What skills and experiences do you feel have prepared you for admission to this program?
8. Describe a group project you've worked on and what role you took.
9. How will you be able to make a contribution to this field?
10. How will you manage your time if you are accepted into the program?

Goals

1. What are your short-term and long-term goals?
2. Why do you want a graduate degree in __________?
3. How do you see this program fitting into your career goals?
4. Tell me about a goal you have set for yourself and how you have achieved it or intend to achieve it.

General

1. What questions do you have for us?
2. What concerns you about the (i.e. counseling) profession?
3. Why would you be an asset to our department? How would you be able to contribute to our program?
4. What has motivated you to pursue this academic field? What skills or abilities do you hope to strengthen through our program?
5. What challenges do you think you might face in the graduate program?
6. Tell me about any volunteer experiences in which you have participated.

Education

1. In what ways do you think your previous experience and coursework have prepared you for succeeding in our program?
2. What courses have you enjoyed the most? The least?
3. How would your professors describe you?
4. Describe a situation in which you have worked under pressure or met deadlines.
5. Why did you major in ________?
6. Why did you choose to attend _________College/University?
7. When did you choose to enter the occupational field and why?
8. How did youmake the decision to apply to our program? What other programs did you consider?
9. How has your undergraduate background prepared you for our program?
10. What courses have been most difficult for you?
11. What satisfaction have you gained from your studies?
12. Tell me about the research project you completed with Professor ________?
13. How many programs have you applied to besides our institution/program?
14. What will you do if you are not accepted into our program?
15. What extracurricular activity has been most satisfying to you?
16. Do you feel your academic record accurately reflects your abilities and potential?
17. Do you feel you have worked to your full potential?
18. How would you rate yourself in the following areas: Reading and Comprehension, Analytical Skills, Communication- oral and written, listening?
19. What didn't you like about your college/university?
20. Tell me about a professor or supervisor that you didn't like and why.
21. Why should we consider you for our program instead of several other equally qualified candidates?
22. What is the most significant contribution you have made to your school?