Is there any way I could ask these questions in an interview w/o them being interpreted negatively?

[mrh125]

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Two questions I'm thinking of asking are:
1) Is there any more information you would like to know about me that help you make a decision?
The reason why would ask this is because I know adcoms and interviewers go in front of a committee and act as your own personal advocate. If there are any glaring flaws or context that needs to be understood on my application I want to address it. Is this an appropriate way of asking? How could I ask this is an appropriate way?
2) I'm very passionate about attending your school, what are the next steps I could take to be a competitive applicant and pursue an education at your school?
I want to ask this because I'm very curious about what else I could once the interview's over. I know some people ask how they did in interviews in a round about way, such as this, and I want to make sure it goes over well. advice?

 

[AspiringERMD]

Two questions I'm thinking of asking are:
1) Is there any more information you would like to know about me that help you make a decision?
The reason why would ask this is because I know adcoms and interviewers go in front of a committee and act as your own personal advocate. If there are any glaring flaws or context that needs to be understood on my application I want to address it. Is this an appropriate way of asking? How could I ask this is an appropriate way?
2) I'm very passionate about attending your school, what are the next steps I could take to be a competitive applicant and pursue an education at your school?
I want to ask this because I'm very curious about what else I could once the interview's over. I know some people ask how they did in interviews in a round about way, such as this, and I want to make sure it goes over well. advice?

I think #1 is a good one to ask. I don't know why it would go over poorly. I'd stay away from #2... interview is basically the last step in the application process anyway.

 

[Doudline]

1: If they have any pressing question... they will ask that question.
2: You've attended the interview already... what do you expect you could possibly do to improve your chances? (A better question would be to ask whether they value LOI, but even then it sounds sort of eh.)

 

[GoPelicans]

I can't give you an answer, but they both sound like contrived questions to me. Your questions for interviewer can be general (in all my interviews the first question I asked was the same), but I think it looks best if you can ask something school specific as well.

 

[b05010445]

I've asked number 1 before.
They usually ask if you have any questions for them at the end of the interview. I ask what's one thing about the school they adore and one thing they would change. Or I ask tell them no, the tour was so informative! But is there anything else that you would like to know about me to help you? I feel that your institution would be a great fit for me and its a top choice for me so if there is there anything else that would help you make the most informed presentation of my file?

 

[Ismet]

I wouldn't ask either question. Most interviewers will ask near the end, "is there anything else you'd like to talk about?" or "is there anything we haven't touched on that you'd like me to know?" or something similar. The question you posed in #1 might come off as insulting to the interviewer, as if you are trying to do his job for him or implying that he doesn't know what questions to ask. If there's something they want/need to know, they'll ask it. If there's something you really really want to talk about and it doesn't come up, find a way to work it in in a way that is not awkward.

For #2, it's unlikely that an interviewer would be able to give you anything but a general/vague response to that question, so overall I think that's a rather useless question to ask in an interview. It would be more advantageous to ask a more specific question, such as asking if the school is receptive to or encourages LOIs/update letters.

 

[AspiringERMD]

I wouldn't ask either question. Most interviewers will ask near the end, "is there anything else you'd like to talk about?" or "is there anything we haven't touched on that you'd like me to know?" or something similar. The question you posed in #1 might come off as insulting to the interviewer, as if you are trying to do his job for him or implying that he doesn't know what questions to ask.

You're right. I rescind my previous response in this thread. That probably would come off as insulting.

 

[Shazam243]

It really doesn't matter. It's the end of the interview. If the person likes you already, they'll most likely interpret it without insult. If the person doesn't like you, well... it makes no difference.

 

[Goro]

100% concur with my young colleague.

For #1) what your reaction be if the interviewer said "I've got enough info, thanks for asking"?

For #2, this would come off as being incredibly naive. You're done at this point as applicant. There is NO more you can do, short of giving a large endowment to the school.

I wouldn't ask either question. Most interviewers will ask near the end, "is there anything else you'd like to talk about?" or "is there anything we haven't touched on that you'd like me to know?" or something similar. The question you posed in #1 might come off as insulting to the interviewer, as if you are trying to do his job for him or implying that he doesn't know what questions to ask. If there's something they want/need to know, they'll ask it. If there's something you really really want to talk about and it doesn't come up, find a way to work it in in a way that is not awkward.

For #2, it's unlikely that an interviewer would be able to give you anything but a general/vague response to that question, so overall I think that's a rather useless question to ask in an interview. It would be more advantageous to ask a more specific question, such as asking if the school is receptive to or encourages LOIs/update letters.

 

[Heday]

There is NO more you can do, short of giving a large endowment to the school.

A cool $250k, huh?

 

[Time Table]

A cool $250k, huh?

About tree fiddy actually

 

[Quizlet04]

Something I picked up off a job site is to ask something along the lines of, "Are there any parts of my application that you'd like me to discuss more or any concerns you have?" It gives them a chance to point out problems or issues, which could let you talk about a bad semester.

 

[DK2014]

Two questions I'm thinking of asking are:
1) Is there any more information you would like to know about me that help you make a decision?
The reason why would ask this is because I know adcoms and interviewers go in front of a committee and act as your own personal advocate. If there are any glaring flaws or context that needs to be understood on my application I want to address it. Is this an appropriate way of asking? How could I ask this is an appropriate way?
2) I'm very passionate about attending your school, what are the next steps I could take to be a competitive applicant and pursue an education at your school?
I want to ask this because I'm very curious about what else I could once the interview's over. I know some people ask how they did in interviews in a round about way, such as this, and I want to make sure it goes over well. advice?

I'll chime in on #2. There is no point in asking this. The school already knows you are interested in going to a school.. you are spending time and money to go to their school to interview. Also, if the interviewer does not like you, there are no steps you can take to be any more competitive.. I'd say most of the time, the decision is set in their mind already and there is nothing you can do to force your way into an acceptance. I honestly wouldn't push their buttons, they'll push right back and slap you with a rejection letter within a week. Play by the rules my friend, don't bend the rules, or they'll bend your acceptance into a rejection. Remember, there are much more applicants than seats... and they have the upper hand here. Wait it out and hope for the best just like all the other applicants do. There's no shortcuts to this process.

 

[DK2014]

Also, after an interview, there isn't anything you can do, unless if say, you are published in Nature or something big like that.

 

[mrh125]

Also, after an interview, there isn't anything you can do, unless if say, you are published in Nature or something big like that.

true true thanks for both of your posts 🙂. haha the frustrating thing is I was working with my dept on a project to get published by Nature. Fell through hard but there's a 5% chance (well more like 1%) that i could've made it happen. 🙁