Hi Stories and folks,
Much appreciate if you can advise me how to deal with these two interview questions:
1) Why did you choose to pursue PhD?
Frankly, I much preferred Masters over PhD (I applied to 8 Masters and 1 PhD programs this application cycle) because I want to be a public health practitioner than an academic researcher. The reason I applied to PhD programs is that it offers full scholarships (tuition fee + stipend) and that I do enjoy doing research. The first reason makes sure I can go somewhere for an advanced degree in a major (Public Health) I am passionate about. The second reason assured me that PhD will not horrify me!
What should I say if the adcom asks me this question? In one hand, I want to stay honest and don't want to lie. In the other hand, it is too silly to say "I am not ready to do PhD..." .
2) Which are the other schools/programs you applied for?
Errr, to which extent should we be honest about it? I hope my answer will not be followed by a question like "Is our program/school your top choice?"
Furthermore, if I am honest to say that I applied to 8 MPH and 1 PhD...they will question me immediately.
by the way, thanks Stories for sharing your tips =)
Oye. First thing, I would ask is if getting a PhD is the right choice for you. You said right off the bat that you're interested in doing public health practice rather than research. The PhD is a training program for academic research. As a PhD student, you won't be doing practice-based internships or committees, but preparing abstracts and posters for presentation at conferences and submission to scientific journals. Also keep in mind the difference in time. MPH is generally 2 years or less. PhD is generally 5 years or more. You have to more than just like research--research becomes your life for 5 years (with very little pay).
PhD isn't something you do just because it won't cost as much up front, there's an opportunity and time cost that you can't ever get back. In the years you're still working on your dissertation, you could have worked for 3+ years with the MPH. Just some food for thought.
You may consider doing the MPH -> DrPH route, instead. This is the more professional route rather than the academic one.
Okay, now onto the questions:
1.) This should focus on the training you need to receive in order to accomplish your career goals. Your career goals should be directed towards research, being a principal investigator, furthering your knowledge and ability to dissect scientific knowledge, and other things of that ilk.
Students who get into public health PhD programs without a MPH or MS are the ones who demonstrate a strong grasp of the research methods utilized in that field. So be sure to do your homework when it comes to gaps in the field of your interest and where you would be interested in doing research.
2.) I don't think they're going to ask this question. I was never asked this formally at any of my interviews, only when I was talking to other interviewees did this topic get talked about.
And honestly, I don't know what I would say if I was asked. I would probably just answer it based on geography or something that deflects the question a bit.
