Graduate Application Process

 

Interviewing for biology Ph.D. programs

 

PhD comics

 

This section is mainly for biology students whose prospective Ph.D. programs require interviews. Programs in chemistry, geology, physics, and ecology usually don't hold interviews. Instead these programs admit students based on their applications, then invite them to an accepted students weekend. However, the information below can still be useful to non-bio students, especially when talking with facutly during thei visits.

 

How do I get an interview?
To receive an interview offer, you must be one of the top applicants in a large pool of candidates.  With a high GPA, good GRE scores and recommendations, significant research experience, and a strong personal statement, you will definitely hear back from schools.  If you have a combination of some but not all of these factors (for instance excellent recommendations and research experience, but an average GPA and GRE scores), you should also expect to get interviews although you will have to work harder to prove yourself Ph.D. worthy in your interviews.

 

 

When will I hear back from schools about interviews?
You will start hearing from schools as early as mid December and will continue to hear through January and even February.  Usually, individual faculty from your programs will notify you of an interview offer via email or phone. 

 

 

If I get an interview what are my chances of being accepted?
While an interview offer is a really good sign, your work is not over.  Graduate schools only invite an applicant to visit if they feel that that person is capable of working and succeeding at a graduate level.  If you go into an interview and show them otherwise, then you will not be offered admission.  But don’t let interviews stress you out!  The programs you apply to want you to succeed so if you try hard, show your best qualities and your passion for science, you will have a very good chance of getting in.

 

 

Do I have to pay for anything?
No! Shockingly enough, the “wine and dine myth” is a reality.  Schools will pay for your plane ticket, reimburse you for gas, pay for your hotel, and most importantly, feed you!  Enjoy these experiences because they seem to mysteriously disappear once you get to graduate school =).

 

 

 

How many interviews should I attend?
The number of interviews you should accept depends on your interest in the schools as well as your current situation.  Accepting all interview offers will put you out of commission almost every weekend from late January to early March.  If you are a senior in college or you are working, attending all of your interviews can be stressful and hard to manage.  Thus if there is a school that you don’t see yourself attending, you should politely decline their offer and focus on your other interviews.  However if you find yourself interested in all the schools, going to all of your interviews can be a valuable experience, one that will prove extremely helpful when the time comes to make your final decision.

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What is the typical dress code?
Be sensible about what you wear to an interview.  While jeans and a T-shirt are not appropriate, you might be out of place wearing a suit and tie.  Dressing business casual is your best bet.  Remember that you will be doing a lot of walking during your interview weekends so be smart about what shoes you wear (high heels = broken ankles).

 

 

What is the typical format of an interview weekend?

    • Usually an interview weekend is a two to three day event.  The first evening you are introduced to the program and have dinner with current students and faculty of your program.

     

    • The next day is usually comprised of 4-6 faculty interviews lasting from 20-45 minutes.  Be aware of the time when talking to faculty because you DO NOT want to be late for any of your interviews.  It is perfectly ok to politely remind your interviewer that you must move onto your next interview.

     

    • After your interviews, you will likely be taken to a student/faculty poster session or faculty presentations so that you can become familiar with the research going on in that program. 
      • Take advantage of these opportunities to talk with faculty and students.  Doing so will help you determine if the program fits your needs and will help you identify potential faculty to work with.
      • Additionally, the more you talk with faculty the more likely they are to remember you and put in a good word when decision time comes around.

     

    • Other common events include a campus/lab/housing tour and a student panel where you can ask questions you were not comfortable asking in front of the faculty. 

     

    • And lastly you can bet on having a fun activity scheduled for an afternoon or evening.  Depending on where you are visiting, activities range from hiking, kayacking, wine tasting, sight seeing, bay cruising, or exploring the bar scene. 

     

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    How do I prepare for an interview?
    • You need to know your stuff when you go in for an interview. Prepare by reading up on the program and the faculty members you will be talking to.  If possible, read onr of their recent publications and understand the basics of their research so you can have an intelligent conversation with them. (Sometimes this is not possible because you don't know who you are interviewing with until you get there. If this is the case, don't stress, be inquisitive and interested when they explain their research).

     

    • Practicing is important but don’t over do it as a rehearsed answer is easily identified.  Faculty are looking for personable, self-confident candidates that can get along and work well with others.  A good way to prepare is to write down answers to basic questions that you think they will ask and glance at them the night before your interview; when the time comes let the answers come naturally.

     

    • You can also look online for typical interview questions and practice your answers with a friend.

     

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    What type of questions should I ask the faculty, students, and administration?
    • Remember that the point of these interviews is not only for the program to assess whether you are a match, but also for you to do likewise.  Come to an interview weekend prepared to ask questions. 

     

    • Most faculty actually ask you in your interview whether they can answer any questions about the program or their lab, and it would look silly if you didn’t have any.  Here are some example questions that you can ask:

     

      • How long on average do your students take to get their Ph.D.?
      • Will I be guaranteed funding for my entire graduate schooling?
      • What jobs do grad students from your program take on after completing their Ph.D.?
      • How many grad students and post docs do you have in your lab? Will you be taking any students in the upcoming year?

     

     

     

    What is the typical format of an interview?
    • Most interviewers start by asking you to summarize your background and research experience briefly.  Spend a couple of minutes doing that, but don’t go into explicit detail.  Allow them to ask questions for further clarification. 

     

    • Typical intro questions:
      • What was your favorite research experience?
      • What or who influenced you to go into science or obtain your PhD?
      • What are your greatest strengths and weaknesses as a scientist or person?
      • What specific field do you want to go into if you come here?
      • Why did you choose this program and how do your interests and experiences make you a good match for this program?

       

    • If you are coming directly out of undergraduate be prepared to be asked why you want to enter graduate school right away.  Some professors are skeptical of such candidates and feel that people who have taken a year or two off to work/research are more mature and ready for a graduate career.  Convince them that you know you are making the right decision, and that you feel you are adequately prepared for such an intense path.

     

    • Many faculty will spend a decent amount of the interview talking about their own research.  Listen carefully, ask thoughtful questions, and don’t be worried if you don’t understand their research.  They will be more than happy to explain further.

     

    • Be prepared to be grilled on your research!  Faculty want to know that you are well versed in your work.  If they know your field, be prepared for some detailed and difficult questions.  Practice before hand with your advisor and peers so that you won’t be caught off guard come interview time.

     

    • After they get to know you and vice versa, most faculty will ask if you have any questions about their program.  You should have one or two questions prepared (see above section) ahead of time for this moment otherwise it will seem like you are not excited about or invested in their program.

     

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    Final Tips.
    • Don’t be nervous!  Most faculty do not interview you with the intention of intimidating or squashing you.  If anything, they tend to be eager and sincere about your application. 

     

    • Be prepared to have a few interviews where professors have not read your application and know nothing about you.  In this case, briefly introduce yourself and highlight your research experience.  Let them ask their own questions, but also make sure they know why you applied to that program and why you think you are a great fit. 

     

    • Watch out for the “interview from hell”.  There are professors who grill you on concepts that you know nothing about, or on your own research, which they understand better than you.  Some faculty will also hand you a piece of chalk, tell you about their work, and then ask you to outline future experiments for them!  You will probably have one interview from hell so you should prepare yourself.  The best you can do is stay relaxed, be confident, and think clearly.  Don’t let your interviewer rush you, and don’t be embarrassed to say that you don’t know the answer.  Also know that such an interview is designed to see how you think and deal with pressure.

     

    • Lastly, d on’t argue with an interviewer or tell them blatantly that they are wrong.  Doing so is risky and can hurt your chances of being accepted.  If you seem arrogant or difficult, your interviewer will not give you a good review because such people will not work well in a graduate research environment.  So no matter how brilliant you are, remember to be polite and personable.

     

     

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