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What about for neuroscience psychology PhD programs? Is a suit necessary when this is a jeans-and-t-shirt kind of job?
Interview prep!
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What about for neuroscience psychology PhD programs? Is a suit necessary when this is a jeans-and-t-shirt kind of job?
Hmm I'm not sure, but in my opinion (and this is largely influenced by the professionals I've consulted w/), it's very important to make a good first impression ... and that usually entails coming to the interview looking presentable. I mean, everyone has different situations and if you REALLY can't afford a suit, then make do with what you have ... but everyone I've talked to has stressed the importance of wearing a suit to interviews ... this is for Clinical Programs, but I assume it would be the same for other programs as well? I've met with past mentors where students are just visiting the professor to discuss common interests and these students show up in full suits as well ...
Better safe than sorry?
Can you expand on that? 😀
I'm already in a program and will be interviewing in days/weeks for the
all-important final practicum. Unfortunately I don't have $200 to
spend on preparation.
Also, I interviewed over the phone at the program I got into,
and attended one in-person interview at another school. I'm pretty
nervous because I'm shy and get really panicky about stuff like this
and have had limited experience interviewing in general.
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This may seem like a weird question, but it popped into my head the other day. I know some schools as where else you applied, but do any schools (while at the interview) ask where else you are interviewing? I fear my school will ask me and I will have to say "No where. You were the only one who liked me." 
But seriously. Do they?
But seriously. Do they?I was asked that last year at 2/2 interviews.
This may seem like a weird question, but it popped into my head the other day. I know some schools as where else you applied, but do any schools (while at the interview) ask where else you are interviewing? I fear my school will ask me and I will have to say "No where. You were the only one who liked me."
This may seem like a weird question, but it popped into my head the other day. I know some schools as where else you applied, but do any schools (while at the interview) ask where else you are interviewing? I fear my school will ask me and I will have to say "No where. You were the only one who liked me."
I also just have only one interview lined up, for next weekend. (I applied to 12 places). Maybe I should just make something up and be like "well... you are the only school I applied to!!" Not that I would cuz I'm bad at lying on the spot, but that thought just did cross my mind...
Speaking of which, I was emailed an interview schedule today. I'll be meeting with 4 faculty members and 1 grad student throughout the day. I've been doing a lot of reading on my POI's papers etc, but how familiar should I be with the other faculty's stuff? I looked at their websites today etc, but should I be reading all their publications too?? Anyway, these schools are clever.. Even though I only mentioned 1 POI in my SOP, all the people I'm lined up to be interviewed by, their research is somewhat related to what I'm interested in...
Anyway, for those of us who have just 1 interview so far.. hey, at least we have an interview!! Though it's so hard to think about how all my eggs are in this 1 basket............. Ugh, these are the moments I go through every single day.
I went on one of these interviews. I personally find it difficult to keep that "on" look throughout the entire weekend. Not that I'd sit around on the couch like Al Bundy if I had the choice, but you know that you are trying to maintain a totally professional impression the entire time. It didn't hit me until after the weekend at the interview that the interview for 30 minutes with the POI was the only one that really mattered - it was a school with a strong mentorship component, so schools that might be more "program based" may be different, but that is my opinion. The other stuff was just to ensure that you're a reasonable person so that if the POI shows interest and checks with others to make sure he/she is getting a good read, that they agree.
It only takes one....scary, but sometimes people get into the right fit, and that is that. Best of luck!
should I be sending the places I interviewed at a thank you note?
Yes.
And also the students that hosted you, if applicable.
E-mail is sufficient. It is more about the thought, and less about the presentation. I know I always appreciate people who take the time to say thank you....of course the last person I hosted was a nightmare and a train wreck to boot....so I was just thankful she left, no not needed!
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If I have prepared questions regarding the program or specific research, is okay to have these written down and to refer to my notes, or sort of nonchalantly take notes on the answers to my questions while looking ahead to my next ones? Is that bad form? Should they just be memorized? At one interview, I have 5 different faculty interviews, and I want to make sure I ask the right questions to the right people!
Don't over think. Written down questions are fine. When I went on internship interviews I whipped out my sheet and I got a few, "Wow...you came prepared!" I felt like I could better evaluate the programs if I could ask some standard questions, and then site specific questions.
I just found this list of questions:
http://psych.tulane.edu/news/documents/INTERVIEWQUESTIONS.doc
http://psych.tulane.edu/news/documents/INTERVIEWQUESTIONS.doc
Hi All,
Not sure if someone has asked this question before, but here's my situation. I was informed by my POI 2 weeks that i was accepted into their program w/out interview. He asked if I could visit and I agreed. So now that I'm scheduled to visit, they informed me that they would send me my interview schedule once it was finalized. Would these "interviews" be considered formal? It kinda threw me off because I had originally anticpated it would be more of an informal visit to get to know the faculty, students and campus and not necessarily a formal interview. Does anyone have any suggestions/ideas?
Thanks!
Not sure if someone has asked this question before, but here's my situation. I was informed by my POI 2 weeks that i was accepted into their program w/out interview. He asked if I could visit and I agreed. So now that I'm scheduled to visit, they informed me that they would send me my interview schedule once it was finalized. Would these "interviews" be considered formal? It kinda threw me off because I had originally anticpated it would be more of an informal visit to get to know the faculty, students and campus and not necessarily a formal interview. Does anyone have any suggestions/ideas?
Thanks!
Well, here's my take on your situation. If they have already approved you, then this is your chance to approve of them and what they can offer.
The interview schedule is likely just them trying to set things up so you can see their facilities, meet the other students, bond w/your POI, etc
I would guess that you can set the tone for these interviews because the ball is in your court now.
I'd still consider it formal b/c this is your chance to show them that you aren't resting on their acceptance. You are in high demand in the world of psychology and it's ok to act accordingly.
I don't know that I would wear a full-on suit since it is more one to one but I'd dress well and brush my teeth and stuff. I'd try and prepare a list of questions for them once you get your interview itinerary and see who you will be spending the most time with on your trip.
This is an honored position you are in where you get to make the decision and have the power.
Good luck and I can't wait to hear how it goes. Living vicariously through you guys is just thrilling. 🙂
The interview schedule is likely just them trying to set things up so you can see their facilities, meet the other students, bond w/your POI, etc
I would guess that you can set the tone for these interviews because the ball is in your court now.
I'd still consider it formal b/c this is your chance to show them that you aren't resting on their acceptance. You are in high demand in the world of psychology and it's ok to act accordingly.
I don't know that I would wear a full-on suit since it is more one to one but I'd dress well and brush my teeth and stuff. I'd try and prepare a list of questions for them once you get your interview itinerary and see who you will be spending the most time with on your trip.
This is an honored position you are in where you get to make the decision and have the power.
Good luck and I can't wait to hear how it goes. Living vicariously through you guys is just thrilling. 🙂
So about the question regarding other schools that you applied to... I only applied to one PsyD program and 4 master's programs mostly because of missed deadlines and or lack of interest in other programs. I'm not sure how to answer the question without looking like I'm not very interested in a PsyD because of my lack of applications elsewhere.
My interview is at my top top school and I reallllly want to go for a PsyD, its just that nowhere else would have worked even if I had gotten accepted.
My interview is at my top top school and I reallllly want to go for a PsyD, its just that nowhere else would have worked even if I had gotten accepted.
You'd brush your teeth? How fancy!
It's not guaranteed that you will be asked that. I've interviewed at 4 schools and not one person has asked me that (except other applicants...and who cares what they think about your response!!)
Hi, I posted about this before, but I wanted to get some more opinions.
Are masters interviews as intense as doctoral interviews, or more laid back? I know what questions I should be asking and to do my research...I've got all of that covered.
Of course I know to look professional and presentable, but I don't know if a suit would be overdoing it! Should I just wear formal business clothes without actually wearing a suit?
Are masters interviews as intense as doctoral interviews, or more laid back? I know what questions I should be asking and to do my research...I've got all of that covered.
Of course I know to look professional and presentable, but I don't know if a suit would be overdoing it! Should I just wear formal business clothes without actually wearing a suit?
