Interviewer: "Where else are you interviewing?"

[BamaPsych]

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Let's say, hypothetically, you only get one interview and it is at your top choice school. Is it embarassing if when asked this, your response is that said school is the only one you are interviewing at?

 

[FranklinR]

Let's say, hypothetically, you only get one interview and it is at your top choice school. Is it embarassing if when asked this, your response is that said school is the only one you are interviewing at?

It's the only one you've interviewed at so far. Unless you've been formally rejected, it is not disingenuous to list other schools to which you've applied but haven't heard yet. As in, "I applied to University of Badger Island and BadgerTech, but haven't heard about interviews yet."

Otherwise, no, I don't think it's all that embarrassing. Schools know it's hard out there, and it's not unusual to get in to a top-ranked school and not get an interview at an unranked one.

FWIW, IMHO, IANAL, etc.

 

[Eruca]

Let's say, hypothetically, you only get one interview and it is at your top choice school. Is it embarassing if when asked this, your response is that said school is the only one you are interviewing at?

First off, excellent question. This absolutely happened to me. I applied to only 6 schools, got ONE interview - and it just so happened to be at my top choice. And yes, unfortunately I was asked this question by the POI, and also by the other applicants (many times). So, expect it.

Decide what feels comfortable to you. I never liked answering it, but I felt like I needed to be honest in a non-disparaging way. Very matter of fact. (where I was in the process of how this felt to me was none of their business) I can't recall exactly what I said (I think I had variations) but it usually included something about not having applied to many programs, and that this was my top choice (or where I really wanted to be, or something like that). Some people will be understanding and not pry - some might, well, might continue to be obnoxious because that's how they arrived in the first place.

I was pretty frank with the POI as well. Something like, "this turned out to be my only interview, but it is also the place that best matches my training needs, and I can really see myself being happy here". It was true. And it worked... I got in.

Very very much luck to you. Feel free to reply or PM me with any questions.

 

[lila2009]

I was at an interview at School A and I mentioned how I liked that the students and faculty at School A were very collaborative and non competetive as opposed to another school I had visited.

Then the interviewer asked what other school I had visited and I (stupidly) said "School B".

And then the interviewer said "Oh I know Dr. soandso who works there"



Awkward moment!!!!!!!

 

[Eruca]

I was at an interview at School A and I mentioned how I liked that the students and faculty at School A were very collaborative and non competetive as opposed to another school I had visited.

Then the interviewer asked what other school I had visited and I (stupidly) said "School B".

And then the interviewer said "Oh I know Dr. soandso who works there"



Awkward moment!!!!!!!

Probably not as awkward as you're imagining 🙂 Psychology is actually a very small world and faculty knowing each other is far from uncommon. Trust me, POIs are not taking the fact that you're interviewing at other programs personally.

Edit: I just reread that.. yeah, I guess the critical comment might not help! (hopefully POI at school A secretly agrees with your assessment.)

 

[Ollie123]

Its a good point though.

If you have your research focus narrowed down...chances are anyone you interview with knows at least 2/3 of your other POIs. Especially if you are applying with big name folks. Take it for what its worth, just be aware when interviewing that faculty probably have friends who you applied to work with too, and might have even compared notes on you (though I don't think this is too common). Academia is a very small world.

 

[GiantSteps]

It's the only one you've interviewed at so far. Unless you've been formally rejected, it is not disingenuous to list other schools to which you've applied but haven't heard yet. As in, "I applied to University of Badger Island and BadgerTech, but haven't heard about interviews yet."

Clearly, you were not aware that University of Badger Island and BadgerTech have one of the most heated rivalries in collegiate athletics! No one who steps foot on one campus would ever step foot on the other school. I suppose that the next thing you are going to tell me is that you also applied to Badger State University!

Its a good point though.

If you have your research focus narrowed down...chances are anyone you interview with knows at least 2/3 of your other POIs. Especially if you are applying with big name folks. Take it for what its worth, just be aware when interviewing that faculty probably have friends who you applied to work with too, and might have even compared notes on you (though I don't think this is too common). Academia is a very small world.

Yes, many professors with whom you might want to study graduated from the other schools to which you are applying. There are actually many departments which employ husbands and wives as professors. They sometimes even collaborate on research. I once heard of a student who applied to a psychology department in which his parents were both professors. The student was rejected. The professor who rejected him replied that he firmly believed in environment over heredity and wanted to make a strong point!

 

[Shay1234]

Let's say, hypothetically, you only get one interview and it is at your top choice school. Is it embarassing if when asked this, your response is that said school is the only one you are interviewing at?

I'm interviewing with CSPP on Friday for their PsyD program however it is the only PsyD program I am applying for.. I mainly applied to MA programs (I'm in Cali) and wanted to apply to CSPP because of the possibility of admittance without a masters........... Long story short, I feel it would sound bad to anwser the question with I applied to masters prgrams here, here, and here. In this case should I just say this is the only program to which I applying.

 

[miripsych]

I'm interviewing at two PhD programs with POI's who are researching completely different areas. My interests in both of these areas are well developed and I would be extremely happy studying either. If a POI asks where else I'm interviewing and who I'm interested in working with at the other program, would my situation seem odd? Do I run the risk of looking unfocused or is an elaborated version of my above explanation sufficient? This could also just be pre-interview paranoia... 😱​

 

[hereandnow]

My situation is slightly different -- I only applied to one program in clinical psychology.

I am not sure how to answer the question "where else are you interviewing?"

Maybe I will try something like this -- because it is true.

"I did not apply to any other clinical psychology graduate programs. This was the only program, for a multitude of reasons, that I felt drawn to apply to. This is not to say that I am convinced it is the right choice. I'm excited to learn to see if it would be an appropriate fit for me to be here -- just as you are, I'm sure, attempting to determine whether or not I would add positively to the program."