Phone interview decreasing chances?

[CounselingGirl]

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Does anyone know if being unable to attend an interview on campus and getting a phone interview instead hurts your chances of getting accepted?

I had a phone interview the other day, and it only lasted about half an hour. The professor asked me questions for 15 minutes and I asked him questions for 15 minutes. He didn't ask me about the research I've done or why I'm interested in psychology. It seems like he would have asked me more questions if the program were seriously considering accepting me. Has anyone else run into this?

I can't help but wonder if when they found out I couldn't be there on campus, they went through the phone interview quickly as a formality.

 

[happyinpsych]

Does anyone know if being unable to attend an interview on campus and getting a phone interview instead hurts your chances of getting accepted?

I had a phone interview the other day, and it only lasted about half an hour. The professor asked me questions for 15 minutes and I asked him questions for 15 minutes. He didn't ask me about the research I've done or why I'm interested in psychology. It seems like he would have asked me more questions if the program were seriously considering accepting me. Has anyone else run into this?

I can't help but wonder if when they found out I couldn't be there on campus, they went through the phone interview quickly as a formality.

I think the amount of time alotted is not unusual. . . . What is the program's stance on interviews? (It will often be stated on their website, or you can find it in the Insider's Guide.)

 

[Kat 22]

I had that exact same experience with my phone interview, expect it wasn't an optional phone interview. First interviews are over the phone and then the next stage of interviews is in person.

I was expecting to talk about research and collaborating, and I prepared new ideas and read a number of the papers published by my POI. Much to my surprise my POI asked me the cookie cutter questions like 'Why clinical' and 'What are your strengths and weaknesses'. I also had a bunch of questions and our half hour conversation was cut off because my POI had to call the next person.

I thought the interview didn't go well and was expecting a swift rejection, but much to my surprise I was invited to the in-person interview. I wouldn't say a quick phone interview is any indication of how it went in actuality.

 

[healthpsy]

I would agree that the length of your interview was typical: 30 minutes was all we had with our POIs at my first in-person interview. My POI didn't ask me about my research experience either. As for the effect of taking the phoner option, I must respectfully disagree with the other respondents. The conventional wisdom, unfortunately, is that unless you have a very serious conflict (i.e.: your wedding or the death of an immediate family member) you go to the in-person interview. Not going for any other reason sends the message that you're not truly interested in the program. So it sort of depends on why you were unable to attend the interview, if that was expressed to the program, the level of competitiveness/type of program, and if their web site said that the interview is optional. So was it just the expense of travelling there that held you back?

So, why didn't you go to the interview?

 

[happyinpsych]

I must respectfully disagree with the other respondents. The conventional wisdom, unfortunately, is that unless you have a very serious conflict (i.e.: your wedding or the death of an immediate family member) you go to the in-person interview. Not going for any other reason sends the message that you're not truly interested in the program. So it sort of depends on why you were unable to attend the interview

So, why didn't you go to the interview?

Please don't feel like you need to share why you were unable to attend the interview with us. . . .

I agree with healthpsy that, in general, it is best to go to the interview. But, if the program allows phone interviews and you had a good reason for not being able to go, they may consider you just as seriously as the on-campus contenders.

One main problem is that it is hard to get a feel for someone and their fit within a program over the phone.

Look, if your option is telephone interview or no interview whatsoever, the telephone interview is obviously better. : )

Good luck!

 

[deleted176373]

Does anyone know if being unable to attend an interview on campus and getting a phone interview instead hurts your chances of getting accepted?

I had a phone interview the other day, and it only lasted about half an hour. The professor asked me questions for 15 minutes and I asked him questions for 15 minutes. He didn't ask me about the research I've done or why I'm interested in psychology. It seems like he would have asked me more questions if the program were seriously considering accepting me. Has anyone else run into this?

I can't help but wonder if when they found out I couldn't be there on campus, they went through the phone interview quickly as a formality.

Basically, yes.

That said, I was accepted on a telephone interview. I was invited for an interview outside the normal date despite having a telephone interview. Finally I had telephone interviews that led to regular interviews.

With all that... telephone interviews lower your chances in general.

Mark

 

[CounselingGirl]

Thanks for your input everyone!

Yeah, the reason was financial. If I went to every interview I've been invited to so far, it would have cost me about $1,600 in airline tickets. My parents told me I'm only allowed to pick one to attend in person.

The one I recently had on the phone isn't too competitive. About 60 people applied last year, 14 were accepted, and 8 attended.

I'm starting to think I shouldn't have applied to some of these in the first place if I couldn't make it to the interview. Oh well.

 

[healthpsy]

It is truly unfair the financial burden that these institutions place on the would-be grad student. As if application fees and GRE report fees weren't exorbitant enough, schools expecting us to traipse across the country with sometimes as little as two weeks notice to book travel arrangements, spending thousands of dollars...well that really does just take the cake.

But not being able to attend an interview doesn't kill your chances of acceptance. The opinion I gave was mostly applicable to the ultra-cut-throat clinical PhD programs. It may not apply in the same way to every program. Just the same, if it is disheartening, perhaps there are other options to allow you to attend more, if not all, of your interviews? How about these ideas:



Ask the folks to spring for at least one more interview and set up a repayment plan using a percentage of your check from a current/future part-time job. At the very least this will let you know how important interview attendance is both to you and to the process; they may rescind their spending cap...you never know...

consider alternate (cheaper) forms of transportation (e.g.: the bus)

perhaps other interviewees are travelling by car to visitation day from your general area and would be interested in ride sharing in exchange for some gas money. This would require you to draft an email ride request and forward it to the department secretary of your program asking if he or she could send it to the interviewee group.

Just some thoughts. I'm rooting for you.

 

[PsychPhDone]

I ended up spending a few thousand but it was worth it in the end -- at a great program with a great stipend and hopefully good career prospects. I definitely would try to beg for a way to get at least to another interview.

 

[Jezebel09]

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[PsychPhDone]

It's so great that this worked out well for you. I truly mean that. . . . But, some candidates do not have the money nor do their parents. This was true several years ago when the economy was still decent, and it is even truer today.

I KNOW that I could never spend a few thousand dollars. I don't have it to spend. . . . I hear what you're saying. And, in a perfect world, we would all be able to go to every interview invite. It just possible for some students.

I know this. I was lucky to receive some help, however, I also planned ahead quite a bit: I worked (full-time research) and tried to save a bit each month. I also took on extra jobs that not only helped me as an applicant but brought in the cash needed to do it. I know not everyone can do this, but I don't want to make it sound like I'm a spoiled brat 😉 I planned very thoroughly and was lucky that I managed to pull it off. I'm also lucky that some programs I interviewed with covered my expenses.

 

[Jezebel09]

I know this. I was lucky to receive some help, however, I also planned ahead quite a bit: I worked (full-time research) and tried to save a bit each month. I also took on extra jobs that not only helped me as an applicant but brought in the cash needed to do it. I know not everyone can do this, but I don't want to make it sound like I'm a spoiled brat 😉 I planned very thoroughly and was lucky that I managed to pull it off. I'm also lucky that some programs I interviewed with covered my expenses.

If you can figure out a way to go that won't put you into debt, you should do it. : ) (And, of course, never apply to programs that absolutely require in-person interviews, unless you can afford them.)

 

[katciao]

If you (1) got a phone interview (not offered a choice of interview type) and were told by the POI that the committee would probably notify you in a couple of weeks but did not invite you to campus and (2) know that, in previous years, some students received an on-campus interview instead of a phone interview, and (3) have not heard from anyone at the school for almost a month, have you been rejected?

 

[healthpsy]

If you (1) got a phone interview (not offered a choice of interview type) and were told by the POI that the committee would probably notify you in a couple of weeks but did not invite you to campus and (2) know that, in previous years, some students received an on-campus interview instead of a phone interview, and (3) have not heard from anyone at the school for almost a month, have you been rejected?

Not necessarily. The committee could simply be delayed by something unrelated, or you could be kept in the running as an alternate. Hang in there! Is the question of whether to call the program for a status update crossing your mind about now?