What to expect from interviews: Interviews are highly variable depending on the structure of the program. Your invitation to interview should come with details about when/where and the duration (usually 1-2 days). If you have a conflict, they should accommodate you. For programs where you apply directly to a PI, you will likely interview with a series of PIs including the one that you listed on your application/who invited you to the interview. Likely this will be 2-3 PIs in addition to the one that you are hoping to work with and the order of the interviews is randomized. You will also likely interview with a graduate student in the lab. There will also be an information session from the head of the department who will cover pay, benefits, program structure (classes), diversity initiatives, etc., will hear from many PIs who describe their work, and will have scheduled time to meet with graduate students to learn more about their experience in the program. For in-person interviews, you will likely be invited for 2 days and will be provided with meals and will likely stay with students or in a hotel. You will also have time in the lab you are applying for to get a tour, meet with all of the students and hear about their interests/ share yours. You will get your schedule right before the interview (maximum a week before, but usually a day or 2 in advance). Interviews tend to last about 30-60 minutes and you will be asked to talk about yourself (research experiences and interests - see below for more information). Typically the main PI interview is longer than the other interviews. What questions will be asked: Importance/ High likelihood of being asked *** High ** Medium * Low You will be asked to describe: 1. Your research interests (high level and low level):*** a. What projects you are interested in and why b. Your research background and key projects/papers c. How your interests align with their work d. You might be asked to propose a research project to explore your interests on the spot. e. What methods you want to use 2. Your past work experience and how it relates to what you want to do.*** While most PIs have looked at your resume, you should not assume that they remember (especially external ones that are not interviewing you for their lab). Give them as much information as possible and make sure to elaborate and reference parts of your application. a. Have you had past research experience? i. If so, how does it relate to what you want to do? ii. Did you learn something that you didn’t like that you want to change when you start your graduate program? 1. Ex: you worked with animal models and you realized you prefer to work with humans iii. Did you learn something that you did like that you want to continue into your graduate program? b. Have you had past clinical experience? c. Have you had past industry experience? i. Does it relate to what you want to do? ii. Why did you leave industry? d. Any other relevant experience? 3. Why academia? *** a. Why do you want to go to graduate school? b. Why are you interested in this field? c. What do you plan to do after finishing your degree? 4. Why this lab/or series of labs? *** a. What specifically about the lab’s past papers/current projects is interesting to you? i. Know details with this; methods/their research questions/their findings/future directions b. How would you extend the lab’s current work? (You want to help extend their research, not just do the exact thing they have already done) c. How do your potential interests fall under the current funding that they have 5. Why this department? ** a. Are there other PIs in the department that you are interested in collaborating with? b. Are there specific features of the department that attracted you (e.g., strong neuroimaging site, access to a supercomputer) —----------------------------------—----------------------------------—---------------------------------- 6. What training do you hope to gain during your PhD?** 7. Your methodological interests (Ex: neuroimaging, spectroscopy, content analysis) ** a. Have you used them before? b. Why are they relevant to your research questions? c. How will you combine different methods to explore your questions? —----------------------------------—----------------------------------—---------------------------------- 8. Your external funding ** a. Did you apply for any? (ex: NSF GRFP) —----------------------------------—----------------------------------—---------------------------------- 9. How well do you work with others? * a. You might be asked about past collaborations 10. What is your working style? What type of mentorship style works for you? * 11. What are some difficult work situations that you have overcome * 12. What are your strengths and weaknesses? ** a. Are there any training needs you can identify ahead of your PhD? b. How do you plan to address your weaknesses? c. What difficulties do you expect to encounter and how will you handle them?
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