Phone interview for grad school: 1/2 hour only

[La Lioness Priyanka]

Has anyone done a phone interview for grad school before?

typically what do they ask?

Any hints/tips whatever?

[La Lioness Priyanka]

1. no one?

[Capn Sunshine]

2. not for grad school

but in general, have all your notes / cv in front of you. And rehearse answers to questions you think they might ask.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

3. Shall do. Will have CV/abstract/ statement of purpose

in front of me

[Rosie1223]

4. No, but Good Luck!

:hi:

[BurtWorm]

5. Haven't done one and have no tips; Just sending white light.

[Starbucks Anarchist]

6. No, but good luck!

:hi:

[foxfeet]

7. I wish you success!

Can't help with the question beyond the advice already given upthread.

[struggle4progress]

8. Think through the stuff like the following

Why are you trying to go to graduate school?
What do you hope to get out of graduate school?
How does graduate school fit into your long-range plans?
Why are you trying to go to this particular school?

Do you know in any specific detail what you want to study?
Why are you interested in this particular subject?
How interested are you really in this particular subject?
What is your background in this particular subject?
Do you know which professor or professors you might want to work with?

You can probably come up with some more questions like that on your own and think through how you would answer them

They're just trying to get a feel for basics like how motivated and interested you are (which is an important predictor of success) and whether you have enough background and ordinary intelligence to do the work. The fact that you're getting the phone interview means your application didn't fly right into the circular file, so don't freak out. Try to be essentially honest without unnecessarily providing way too much information and straying off topic

Of course, if your reason for wanting to go to grad school were "I decided my life sucks and the only options I have are either (1) to bludgeon my upstairs neighbors to death with an axe or (2) to quit heroin cold-turkey and go back to school to learn how to synthesize deadly poisons," they would smile and nod and back slowly away. But since that's not the case, you'll probably do fine if you just stay focused during the interview

[mix]

9. keep your answers short, do not ramble, and good luck nt

[tigereye]

10. only had a "live" group one... it was pretty long, kind of intimidating

it had a very group therapy kind of feel (early 80s), so I suspect that won't be helpful to you! :rofl: Come to think of it i had a group interview for my first job, too. Yikes.


I remember being honest about how I felt was the most beneficial. I would think it would depend on the program, finding out your strengths and what you are interested in working on, what you liked about your previous studies, what courses you have already taken, which they probably already know from your application...


good luck!

[fishwax]

11. not a formal interview, no

Don't have any great advice to offer, though the list of considerations that Struggle4Progress listed in post 8 are good. At this point in the application process, you've probably thought about most of those things, so it's just a matter of having them down to talking points for the interview. Perhaps sketch out a few good questions that you'd like to know about the program and/or the faculty. Try to keep your answers focused on point, but mostly be who you are and don't panic--I'm sure it will go great. Good luck!

[Bucky]

12. Have a couple of questions for them ready.

Make them questions about process, so that they can start to visualize you in that department making your unique contributions.

What are you studying?

[La Lioness Priyanka]

16. I am finishing my Masters in Industrial Organizational Psychology & wishing to pursue

a doctoral degree in the field

[barb162]

13. No,all paperwork, test scores, previous grades, etc. n/t

[SoxFan]

14. Sorry

When I applied to law school, it was a numbers-driven process, with the LSAT and GPA being mashed-up into some sort of formula.

I know we've had our differences on DU, but you're obviously whip-smart and tenacious, two qualities that make me confident you will kick ass no matter where you end up. Good luck!

[La Lioness Priyanka]

15. Thanks

[ThomWV]

17. I just sent in my paperwork along with a check and a few weeks later got a letter saying Welcome.

They simply sent me a letter telling me I was in as of a date certain and that all sorts of clocks were being set from that moment. Nobody ever called me, but then I never expected anyone to call, or write, or anything else. I never had any doubt about 'getting in'. The only thing I didn't know about was how I was going to pay for it.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

18. I think doctoral students are alwasy interviewed.

i dont mind an inperson interview, i just hate the phone

[datasuspect]

19. it's just like any other negotiation

always subordinate yourself to their authority/office. make them aware that you understand the importance of their time, and follow the local protocols.

concision, brevity, bullet point ideas.