Interview Question about research interest

[Sunnysideup03]

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So I am wondering what people say when asked about what they would like to do their thesis/dissertation on during the interview process. I know that it is a question that will definitely be asked but I don't want to limit myself and be too specific but I don't want to be too broad also. I was wondering what suggestions people had.

Thanks!

 

[AcronymAllergy]

So I am wondering what people say when asked about what they would like to do their thesis/dissertation on during the interview process. I know that it is a question that will definitely be asked but I don't want to limit myself and be too specific but I don't want to be too broad also. I was wondering what suggestions people had.

Thanks!

I actually never had anyone ask me something as specific as what I'd want my thesis and/or dissertation to be on--that's generally something you'll work out with your advisor after you've started the program. The most specific they got with me was to ask what general research interests I had. Then again, that might've just been the few programs I interviewed with.

 

[mishpug]

I have not been asked about my dissertation plans, just about my general research interests. I would recommend being able to speak articulately about your research interests and not worrying too much about a strategy. Good luck!

 

[cara susanna]

When I got asked that question, I just said something like "Well, one idea I have is..." That way, they know you aren't married to the idea or anything.

 

[empathiosis]

We have a faculty member who asks: what do you envision will be the title of your dissertation? I think it's a ridiculous question and I told him so a couple of years ago ... His take was that the questions (or answers) aren't as important as how people answer them. In other words, he's perfectly aware that most people interviewing aren't going to know exactly what they want to do their dissertation on yet. .. Actually, the question still annoys me but I was able to answer it and remember kind of having a bit of fun with it, even though it's ridiculous (and it turns out that my dissertation is actually going to be pretty darned close to what I said it would be back then ...)

So don't worry so much about being held to what you say at the interview about future plans and future interests. Most of the people interviewing you know that you will grow, change, develop additional interests, become interested in different aspects of a broad area that interests you now, etc.

 

[G Costanza]

I was asked during my interview. After about a minute of me talking, the professor puts his hand up, lowers his head to look at me over his glasses and says, "You want to do what with what!?"

They accepted me anyway.