​Graduate School Applications: Interviewing and Selecting

                                                 Author: Peony Wong, 2025-2026 Diversity Liaison
 
If you’ve made it to the interview level of the graduate application process, congratulations! It is a huge accomplishment, and you should be proud of getting here. Programs extend interviews to those who are qualified, so the interview is more for the program and your future mentor to get a better understanding of who you are as a person. Don’t forget that just as much as they are interviewing you, you are interviewing them!
 
Here are some tips to get you started with the interview process!
 
1. If you’re doing a virtual interview, be prepared to sit in front of the computer for most of the day. Have snacks, water, a fan, or whatever you might need to be comfortable for a long period of time.

2. Take the time to research the program’s goals and your potential mentor’s research. When you speak with your potential mentor, it’s a good idea to run your research ideas by them to see if they align with their future research directions. It is not frequent, but sometimes research interests shift, and mentors may be moving in a different direction than their previous interests.

3. Be prepared to answer common interview questions. Here are some examples-
    a. Tell me about yourself.
    b. Why do you want to pursue a graduate degree?
    c. What do you see yourself doing after graduating from this program?
    d. Why are you interested in this program?
    e. Why are you interested in this faculty mentor?
    f. What are some ideas you have for a research project/thesis/dissertation?
    g. Talk about a time when you have overcome a challenge in your research or work.
    h. What are your strengths and weaknesses?

4. Ask questions about the mentorship style, student-faculty relationships, funding/tuition, or living in or near the campus amongst different students, staff, and faculty. Ask about practicum sites, internship outcomes, or post-graduate opportunities. Current students provide a lot of insight into the culture of the program, funding/tuition, and cost of living. Here are some common questions you may ask-
    a. How is work-life balance?
    b. Would you describe the students to be more collaborative or competitive?
    c. What does funding look like?
    d. What is it like living in this area? Do you feel that funding is sufficient for the cost of living?
    e. How do you feel about the learning and training you received with preparedness for internships and            graduation?
    f. Are there opportunities to work with other faculty mentors?
    g. What is the “worst” part of this program?

5. If you are in a group interview, it is important to stand out, AND it is also important to remain professional and conscientious of others. Many people are likely going to want to share their thoughts or ask questions. Try your best to manage standing out and letting others speak.

6. Practice short 30-minute interviews with peers, colleagues, and even friends! Practice helps work out some of the kinks of responding and helps get out of those interview jitters.

7. If programs give you enough notice, investigate your interviewers’ most recent research and connect their interests with yours, if it applies. Always have relevant questions prepared for any staff or faculty.

8. Although programs have likely read your CV and personal statement, think about the experiences you would like to highlight. Be able to summarize your research experience of each lab group or location and point out some of the ways you have uniquely contributed.

9. After interviewing, send a short thank you email to the faculty, staff, and students you interviewed with. It is also a great time to follow up with any questions you might have that you did not have time to get to or wanted more clarification on.
 
Now that you have finished the interview process... how do you choose which program is for you?
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1. First, let the program that you received the notification. You don’t have to decide until mid-April.
2. Fit is everything! Really think about what’s important for you for the next 2-5 years and decide your non-negotiables. Everyone has different non-negotiables so decide which are yours and stick to them.
3. Only accept an offer from a program you can see yourself. Don’t settle if you cannot see yourself being there.
4. Consider which program best aligns with your long-term goals and career trajectory.
5. Take a deep dive into your budget and financial situation to decide whether a school would be financially reasonable. If you are considering loans, start looking at how that may impact any future financial goals.
 
Whatever you decide in your graduate application, you should be proud of yourself for applying! Make a decision that feels most right for you :)