The Interview Aftermath Thread 2008

[blindchaos]

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Something to keep in mind that I thought about today...when you are out on interviews, as corny as it sounds you are representing the institution you come from. If you are an undergrad or a master's student, what you say about your 'home' institution and how you behave at interviews can have an impact on applicants for better or worse. I ran into a few current students at a school I'm interviewing at in a few weeks and one casually bashed the program and the other behaved inappropriately for an interview setting (to be blunt, a complete tool to fellow applicants, absolute suck up to faculty).

I understand that these two particular people are not in that doctoral program (one is an undergrad, the other is a master's student) but it definitely made the school less appealing (still going to interview there but I will be taking a closer look at the students in the hopes that these happen to be the bad apples of the bunch). I'm not saying don't talk about your home institution - please feel free to give your honest *professional* opinion of it if people ask you about it. Just keep in mind that what you do and say at other interviews can increase or decrease an applicants opinion of your home program. 😎

 

[positivegrowth]

I had my interview on Friday. It was a good experience overall. I noticed a couple of things:

1) I was definitely the oldest applicant there. Most people were still in college or had just graduated. The rest of the applicants were about 24-26. I was definitely the oldest at 30. That made me feel really old.

2) I was really taken aback by how nice and chatty the other applicants were. I remember reading somewhere on here about some applicants' poor social skills--I was amazed by the social skills of these applicants. Everyone was incredibly social and outgoing. I guess I was prepared for the typical pre-med competitiveness because many of us were interviewing for the same advisor, but there was none of that at all.

3) I was asked some really hard questions by my potential advisor. I had prepared thoroughly for many of the typical interview questions, but I wasn't prepared for the intellectual type questions I was asked. They weren't psych content type questions, but they definitely required a lot of thinking.

4) I couldn't read anything from my interviewers--if they liked me, if they didn't. This was a bit unnerving.

I too am an older applicant - 32. After working in related and non related fields and completing my masters - I hope to go back this year to start my doctorate. My experience has been that at least for certain schools, they prefer candidates who have spent time doing activites/work/research/etc outside of academia. My impression is that as long as you can account for what you were doing during the time between graduating from college and now, and make the connection to psychology, or how it's influenced your decision to return for a doctoral degree - you should be fine. Depending on your experiences, etc, I also think that as an older candidate you have perspective which can put you at an advantage.

 

[clinpsychjack]

Just an update for those of you waiting to hear back from Louisville. I got this message from my POI just now:

"We have as yet not made any offers since we're still waiting to hear about our university fellowship applications. I appreciate your patience and wish we didn't have to deal with such a dismal budgetary picture. However, we prefer to be conservative and not do anything until we are certain."

So if you're concerned b/c you haven't heard anything, no worries!

Also, I thanked my POI at Bowling Green today and she said they should be making admissions offers within the next few days.

 

[sarahkristy117]

So I had my interview yesterday, and things went okay. it was my first interview at my #1 school, so i wsa petrified. the faculty were incredibly nice. I had three individual interviews and met with another faculty whose interests matched mine... ( i think i was one of the only people to do that!).
anyway..the first interview went okay, i couldn't really read the prof's reactions to me.... she seemed to like me but i couldn't tell if my answers were rubbing her the right or wrong way..
the others interviews went great ... and the day did as well.. it was pretty competitive.. they are only choosing 25 of us..

my question is, when a professor says to you in your exit interview "what do I have to say to get you to commit?" .... does that mean you are in?! I basically was shocked and asked her.."what do you mean?" and she responded ..."well it's nothing official but... " thus insinuating my acceptance.

She definitely made me feel like I was accepted but... I couldn't tell from my other interviews at all how they felt. 😕

anyway that's my rant. I find out Tuesday or Wednesday if I got in.

 

[cogsciapp]

So I had my interview yesterday, and things went okay. it was my first interview at my #1 school, so i wsa petrified. the faculty were incredibly nice. I had three individual interviews and met with another faculty whose interests matched mine... ( i think i was one of the only people to do that!).
anyway..the first interview went okay, i couldn't really read the prof's reactions to me.... she seemed to like me but i couldn't tell if my answers were rubbing her the right or wrong way..
the others interviews went great ... and the day did as well.. it was pretty competitive.. they are only choosing 25 of us..

my question is, when a professor says to you in your exit interview "what do I have to say to get you to commit?" .... does that mean you are in?! I basically was shocked and asked her.."what do you mean?" and she responded ..."well it's nothing official but... " thus insinuating my acceptance.

She definitely made me feel like I was accepted but... I couldn't tell from my other interviews at all how they felt. 😕

anyway that's my rant. I find out Tuesday or Wednesday if I got in.

I would say that this is probably a pretty good sign...

BUT, keep in mind that it was "nothing official" just like she said. I had something very similar said to me at one of my interviews from several faculty. I thought for sure I was in, but I was waitlisted, and it's looking slim...

Admissions decisions can be complicated, and not always entirely up to a POI or any particular faculty member.

Hopefully you will be hearing good news though!
Good luck!

 

[empathiosis]

my question is, when a professor says to you in your exit interview "what do I have to say to get you to commit?" .... does that mean you are in?! I basically was shocked and asked her.."what do you mean?" and she responded ..."well it's nothing official but... " thus insinuating my acceptance.

I would have applied to the ANE program, but it's ridiculously expensive. So, if I had been asked that question I would probably have answered by saying, "Give me a tuition waiver." Good luck to you! It's a great program in a nice location.

 

[sarahkristy117]

Yeah it is very expensive but it's the perfect program for me and other PsyD programs are comparable in expense. I had to choose between a couple in New England because I can't relocate. Antioch is so amazing, I'm really hoping to be accepted, if I am, I'll have to meet with a financial planner to see if it's feasible.

 

[PizzaButt]

Well, I thought my interview had gone really well, but I didn't get in, so I guess it didn't. 🙁

 

[empathiosis]

Well, I thought my interview had gone really well, but I didn't get in, so I guess it didn't. 🙁

After this busy period is over you might want to contact the people who interviewed you to ask what you could do to strengthen your application for next year. Also do that at the other places you applied and didn't get invited. I know you're really disappointed about the way things turned out this year, but just because you didn't get in this year doesn't mean you're a failure. If you try again next year, you might be successful. It's important to reach out to the faculty you want to work with, and if you didn't do that this year, you should definitely plan on doing that. One possible approach is to ask them what makes a successful applicant to their program. Then you'll know what you need to do to get in.

 

[BorntoRun]

Well, I thought my interview had gone really well, but I didn't get in, so I guess it didn't. 🙁

It doesn't sound like much help now, but it's important to remember that you may be right - the interview may actually have gone really well - it just may have gone even better for someone else. I'm sorry to hear you didn't get in, though... there are a lot of very dedicated, intelligent people out there who certainly seem to be taking their lumps in this process (including myself, if I do say so!!) If you do decide to try again, I think you'll be in a much stronger position since you'll have had a year to raise your GREs and build some more experience. Plus, you'll have the advantage of already having been to an interview - you'll have a better sense of what to expect and how to prepare.

 

[deleted176373]

Well, I thought my interview had gone really well, but I didn't get in, so I guess it didn't. 🙁

+1, It may have gone very well... I wouldn't lose sleep over your performance in the interview. You were just aced out by only one person... who I might add won't be interviewing next year!

Mark

 

[PizzaButt]

After this busy period is over you might want to contact the people who interviewed you to ask what you could do to strengthen your application for next year. Also do that at the other places you applied and didn't get invited. I know you're really disappointed about the way things turned out this year, but just because you didn't get in this year doesn't mean you're a failure. If you try again next year, you might be successful. It's important to reach out to the faculty you want to work with, and if you didn't do that this year, you should definitely plan on doing that. One possible approach is to ask them what makes a successful applicant to their program. Then you'll know what you need to do to get in.

I will definitely do this--is email or a phone call the preferred approach? When would be a good time to do this--late April or May maybe?

 

[BorntoRun]

I will definitely do this--is email or a phone call the preferred approach? When would be a good time to do this--late April or May maybe?

E-mail is probably the best bet, especially for the schools where you didn't get interviews - they'll need forewarning so they can peek at your file before getting back to you. I wouldn't wait much later than early May -- they may start 'clearing out' the files by then.

 

[caspiancat]

I am currently a grad student at a well known PsyD program. I am one of the students conducting interviews this year and just wanted to encourage those of you in the process- I remember how stressful it was, and how wonderful this site was during that time (I couldn't remember my old password and my email had changed, so I had to change my user name and start over) Anyway, just being normal and friendly goes a long way in our program as every who gets an interview is well qualified. The grad students have a big say in who gets in and we are a friendly group. Things that make a big impression are the ability to work with a small group of students (your cohort generally 5-6 students), being normal (I can't overemphasize this enough- and this doesn't mean boring or conventional-just a basically non-bizarre individual), and desire to come to the school. Sometimes we have so many great students apply its hard to choose the top 10 and then it comes down to the POI's and well they feel you will fit in their lab. Sometimes a POI will get the third or fourth person down on their list who was maybe ranked 15th (and that person gets in), whereas another person who is ranked 7th overall will not get in because the first person offered that POI's spot took it. So all this to say that rejections can seem unfair and often are at some level. Well, interviews are this week and I hope I will make my end of the process a relaxing and fun time.

 

[codename Conan]

I got an almost identical email response from my #1 school and was offered admission a week later. I think they have to be vague like this until they decide on the final list. It seems like a lot of lobbying is involved

 

[xlittlemissalix]

my question is, when a professor says to you in your exit interview "what do I have to say to get you to commit?" .... does that mean you are in?! I basically was shocked and asked her.."what do you mean?" and she responded ..."well it's nothing official but... " thus insinuating my acceptance.

I'm practicing for my interview this week and this question is on my list of possible questions I may get asked (I put together a huge list from questions everyone put up on this board...perhaps I'm overpreparing, but better safe than sorry!). I'd be curious to know how you answered? I really don't know what they would expect me to say. By the end of the interview, there isn't much I want them to say except "Congrats! You're in!" Haha. I'd obvioulsy have already decided throughout the process whether or not I wanted to go there...

 

[deleted176373]

the others interviews went great ... and the day did as well.. it was pretty competitive.. they are only choosing 25 of us..

I'm sorry... don't take this wrong, but they are ONLY taking 25 of you? I would have killed for odds like that when I applied. It was more like, we are only taking 1 or 2 of you. Not saying Psy.D's have it any easier but it sounds like it when you run numbers in the application process. I still believe the better Psy.D. programs are full of tough competition.

my question is, when a professor says to you in your exit interview "what do I have to say to get you to commit?" .... does that mean you are in?! I basically was shocked and asked her.."what do you mean?" and she responded ..."well it's nothing official but... " thus insinuating my acceptance.

They ran your credit and figured you could get funding to pay for the whole program and felt that you might stay long enough to complete it? (Just Kidding!) I actually think that in a professional school setting, despite it being your number 1 choice, you should have hit her with a funding question!

I am assuming that you have worked hard, that this is a decent program, and they may have to take people they would rather not take. Sorry, but the business model forces them to worry about filling slots, nature of the beast. That puts the exceptional student in an envious position. After all, if you are capable of enhancing the prestige of the university and capable of finishing, then you are an investment.

anyway that's my rant. I find out Tuesday or Wednesday if I got in.

Well I hope you get into your number 1 program AND I hope that it is actually an exceptional program. Some of the Psy.D. programs are very good at training clinicians. I don't want my little joke above to be taken out of context as an anti-Psy.D. post, I was just poking a little fun.

Mark

 

[sarahkristy117]

I'm sorry... don't take this wrong, but they are ONLY taking 25 of you? I would have killed for odds like that when I applied. It was more like, we are only taking 1 or 2 of you. Not saying Psy.D's have it any easier but it sounds like it when you run numbers in the application process. I still believe the better Psy.D. programs are full of tough competition.

They ran your credit and figured you could get funding to pay for the whole program and felt that you might stay long enough to complete it? (Just Kidding!) I actually think that in a professional school setting, despite it being your number 1 choice, you should have hit her with a funding question!

I am assuming that you have worked hard, that this is a decent program, and they may have to take people they would rather not take. Sorry, but the business model forces them to worry about filling slots, nature of the beast. That puts the exceptional student in an envious position. After all, if you are capable of enhancing the prestige of the university and capable of finishing, then you are an investment.

Well I hope you get into your number 1 program AND I hope that it is actually an exceptional program. Some of the Psy.D. programs are very good at training clinicians. I don't want my little joke above to be taken out of context as an anti-Psy.D. post, I was just poking a little fun.

Mark

Yeah those are definitely better odds than a PhD program but still competitive when you are just coming out of your undergrad with relatively little experience.

I actually did ask her about funding and she was very helpful.. also it's not a professional school, it's a university based PsyD. It's really a great program .. I'm not going to defend it because I think if you looked into it, you'd see it's quite good.

I know you're poking fun but it is a little offensive. It's actually an exceptional program with exceptional faculty and I'd love to be accepted. Yes, it's expensive, but what the hell am I going to do when you're chances of getting into a fully-funded program are slim to none? Trust me, I don't like it either...

Sorry I'm just completely stressed out because yes, it's like taking out a mortgage but it's my dream program in my dream location and absolutely perfect for me.... so it's a bit depressing that even if I do get in, I might not be able to afford it. 🙁

 

[PsychappA]

Hi all,

I thought I'd throw this out there bc I haven't heard it directly addressed by anyone. How is everyone who is involved in the interview/wating process (& how did everyone who has done this in the past) keeping it together? Perhaps this is a little dramatic, but I literally feel like this process is ripping my soul apart. I applied to 15 clinical psych Ph.D. programs, have 3 official rejects, have been on 3 interviews, and have yet to hear from any of them. And this is after 6 years of preparing myself to the point at which I felt like I was a strong enough candidate to apply. There are some days when I am somewhat stable and able to keep a somewhat balanced perspective, but more often than not I have days like today where I spend the whole day crying on & off (& I have 3 jobs for which I need to maintain some semblance of sanity!).

I know that I will be hearing from my top choice school (at which I interviewed) by the end of the week. It happens to be a school that takes very few people (like 2) from their interview pool, so even though my interviews went well, I am feeling pretty pessimistic. Also, there is personal stuff wrapped up in this school as well bc my POI is someone I have worked with closely in the past, but unfortunately another applicant has worked closely with her as well. Anyway, it is going to be a major blow to me if/when I don't get it. I am just wondering if anyone has advice on how to keep myself together until I hear? And if/when I hear bad news?

Sorry for the rant, but I am very unhappy and anxious right now. 🙁 My guess from visiting these threads is that I am not the only one.

 

[deleted176373]

Yeah those are definitely better odds than a PhD program but still competitive when you are just coming out of your undergrad with relatively little experience.

I actually did ask her about funding and she was very helpful.. also it's not a professional school, it's a university based PsyD. It's really a great program .. I'm not going to defend it because I think if you looked into it, you'd see it's quite good.

You'll see that if you look at my previous posts that I have often defended the university based programs pretty vigorously. I think my record speaks for itself in that regard.

I know you're poking fun but it is a little offensive. It's actually an exceptional program with exceptional faculty and I'd love to be accepted. Yes, it's expensive, but what the hell am I going to do when you're chances of getting into a fully-funded program are slim to none? Trust me, I don't like it either...

Sorry I'm just completely stressed out because yes, it's like taking out a mortgage but it's my dream program in my dream location and absolutely perfect for me.... so it's a bit depressing that even if I do get in, I might not be able to afford it. 🙁

Please don't be offended, I think that you are doing the right thing. You are getting into the best program that meets your needs and has an exceptional faculty. You know, people spend a whole lot more for a whole lot less.

Let me remind you that there is a silver lining to your cloud. There are loan forgiveness programs in a great many areas (both Military and Civilian) that will erase that "education mortgage."

So don't think that I don't have respect for the fact that you have done (or will possibly have done) what many people will not be fortunate enough to do this year, and that is getting accepted to your number 1 choice. I congratulate you.

Mark

 

[psychwanabe]

Hi all,

I thought I'd throw this out there bc I haven't heard it directly addressed by anyone. How is everyone who is involved in the interview/wating process (& how did everyone who has done this in the past) keeping it together? Perhaps this is a little dramatic, but I literally feel like this process is ripping my soul apart. I applied to 15 clinical psych Ph.D. programs, have 3 official rejects, have been on 3 interviews, and have yet to hear from any of them. And this is after 6 years of preparing myself to the point at which I felt like I was a strong enough candidate to apply. There are some days when I am somewhat stable and able to keep a somewhat balanced perspective, but more often than not I have days like today where I spend the whole day crying on & off (& I have 3 jobs for which I need to maintain some semblance of sanity!).

I remember feeling this way last year and reading a lot of posts by others who felt the same way. So much of my life to that point had been focused on getting in. My family had made major sacrifices, I worked so hard. It felt like I couldn't breathe sometimes with the pressure I felt when I thought "what if I don't get in?"

I know that I will be hearing from my top choice school (at which I interviewed) by the end of the week. It happens to be a school that takes very few people (like 2) from their interview pool, so even though my interviews went well, I am feeling pretty pessimistic. Also, there is personal stuff wrapped up in this school as well bc my POI is someone I have worked with closely in the past, but unfortunately another applicant has worked closely with her as well. Anyway, it is going to be a major blow to me if/when I don't get it. I am just wondering if anyone has advice on how to keep myself together until I hear? And if/when I hear bad news?

Sorry for the rant, but I am very unhappy and anxious right now. 🙁 My guess from visiting these threads is that I am not the only one.

One of the current grad students last year told us to keep it in perspective. This is one part out of a lifetime of experience. Sometimes it just helps to remember that life will go on if you don't get in.

I just thought about the worst case. If I didn't get in, then what? I thought it all the way through: first, I'd have to decide if I would get a job, or stay at my university and just do research. Then, would I reapply? If yes, where? If no, what would I do for the rest of my life?

I thought these questions through to the end, and I visualized where I would be and what I would be doing in each case. It helped me to focus on the future and realize that my life wouldn't end because I didn't get in during that cycle of applications.

Now, this was not a panacea for stress relief...I know it's not that easy! But it did give me some perspective, which I think is easy to lose during this process.

Oh, and chocolate helped too! 🙄

 

[pinktater08]

So since this is a place to vent, I have a few words to say about the University of Louisville.

First of all, they had a very early interview date, and we were told we would hear back from them within two to three weeks. Kentucky is having budget issues, and they had to wait to hear from the graduate school regarding who was getting what financial support...completely understandable. But then, after 3 weeks, we still had received no word from them. Four weeks= NOTHING. After nearly five weeks, they sent out offers. I didn't receive one, but I am cool with that. What I am NOT cool with, however, is the fact that when I e-mailed the program director, she danced around the topic and made it sound like they had a few offers out but were planning on sending out more. She said she would let me know more as she got more information. It was only after several more e-mails to her that she finally admitted that they had extended all their offers at this point and that the offer she extended for my POI had been accepted. Why couldn't she have just been honest and said that in the first place? I just feel like the way the program handled the whole situation was very unprofessional.

On a more pleasant note, I received an offer from a program I really like and I am wait listed at my top choice. 🙂

 

[shock-me-sane]

I would like to share about occurances at my last interview.

We had a pre-interview thing within the lab the day before the real ones. Mostly interviewing with grad students and listening to the POI talk about her lab.

At the party, some applicant got drunk and threw up in the LIVING ROOM of a prof's house

Now on to the next day where it gets interesting. One of the stats guy gives applicants stats problems to do during their interview. Another gave some girl articles to read in and be ready to discuss in the interview.

My second interview was with my POI.

POI: tell me about your research

me: blah blah blah

POI: now I wanted to tell you that my grad students are concerned that you aren't a good fit for the lab. They liked you a lot, but aren't sure about the fit.

me: *blank stare* oh, okay

POI: I disagree with them, I really like what you have done and your background. But I know I have taken a real risk inviting you here. I could potentially be interviewing someone else, someone else could be in your shoes. But I think you are worth the risk. Your gpa is great and your GRE scores are awesome. I think you are a great fit.

me: umm, thank you.

POI: now I want you understand that we don't have access to a medical center. We are doing health research, but you won't have access to a medical center.

me: I understand

POI: Now you would have to give up the thought of being in a medical center until at least the end of your third year. Now you could work as a nurse somewhere if you wanted, hell I don't care. But you won't be doing any research in a medical center. You will need to let go of the medical center.

me: *wtf? I get it* Okay

POI: now I think you are a great fit. What do you think about the fit? Would you come here?

me: I honestly can't tell you that for certain right now. I will let you know that I have already been accepted to 2 other programs. I really like your philosophy in this area.

POI: well that is important for me to know. I don't want to extend offers to people who don't want them. And I know that people have until April 15th to make decisions, but I would kill you if you took that long. And You would need to be able to let go of being in a medical center if you came here. But I really like you and think you would be a great fit.

me: thank you

this whole thing really turned me off. Out of a 30 minute interview, 25 of it was spent on her pressuring me, giving me some backhanded compliments and telling me they aren't connected to a medical center. I would have seriously considered this place because I really liked the POI's perceptions on the future of health psych (even though the funding is crap).

So that is my only weirdness of the interview cycle.

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

That was just.......odd.

I'd *LOVE* to get her on my couch for some analysis, as she seems to have some very interesting ideas about how to go about things, particularly from a position of power.

 

[psychwanabe]

^ Um...did you run screaming from that University and never look back??!! It sounds like all kinds of warning bells were sounding *DON'T GO HERE*!!!

 

[GiantSteps]

I would like to share about occurances at my last interview.

We had a pre-interview thing within the lab the day before the real ones. Mostly interviewing with grad students and listening to the POI talk about her lab.

At the party, some applicant got drunk and threw up in the LIVING ROOM of a prof's house

Now on to the next day where it gets interesting. One of the stats guy gives applicants stats problems to do during their interview. Another gave some girl articles to read in and be ready to discuss in the interview.

My second interview was with my POI.

POI: tell me about your research

me: blah blah blah

POI: now I wanted to tell you that my grad students are concerned that you aren't a good fit for the lab. They liked you a lot, but aren't sure about the fit.

me: *blank stare* oh, okay

POI: I disagree with them, I really like what you have done and your background. But I know I have taken a real risk inviting you here. I could potentially be interviewing someone else, someone else could be in your shoes. But I think you are worth the risk. Your gpa is great and your GRE scores are awesome. I think you are a great fit.

me: umm, thank you.

POI: now I want you understand that we don't have access to a medical center. We are doing health research, but you won't have access to a medical center.

me: I understand

POI: Now you would have to give up the thought of being in a medical center until at least the end of your third year. Now you could work as a nurse somewhere if you wanted, hell I don't care. But you won't be doing any research in a medical center. You will need to let go of the medical center.

me: *wtf? I get it* Okay

POI: now I think you are a great fit. What do you think about the fit? Would you come here?

me: I honestly can't tell you that for certain right now. I will let you know that I have already been accepted to 2 other programs. I really like your philosophy in this area.

POI: well that is important for me to know. I don't want to extend offers to people who don't want them. And I know that people have until April 15th to make decisions, but I would kill you if you took that long. And You would need to be able to let go of being in a medical center if you came here. But I really like you and think you would be a great fit.

me: thank you

this whole thing really turned me off. Out of a 30 minute interview, 25 of it was spent on her pressuring me, giving me some backhanded compliments and telling me they aren't connected to a medical center. I would have seriously considered this place because I really liked the POI's perceptions on the future of health psych (even though the funding is crap).

So that is my only weirdness of the interview cycle.

That was such an amusing post!

You should have taken down the e-mail of the guy who vomited to see if he was accepted or not!

It almost sounds as if they would good cop bad coping you.

Rember to review the school on the SDN evaluations.

 

[AndieB]

I don't know what to think. Interview is complete, three separate, two group, and one with a professor. Unfortunately it was not with somebody I would work with but rather a random person. This made it hard to speak with as my interests were opposite of his. Don't get me wrong, it was a good visit, nice students, and good faculty. However, I don't feel as they really know me, maybe I just didn't make myself known (difficult to do when you are dealing with a number of students who ALL want to see the same professors.) Needless to say i'm not feeling too good about it. I was not asked any direct questions and therefore am unable to feel it out. Maybe I was just a fill in for them to have the 200 students for interviews, it's possible that they already know the ones they will extend acceptances to. I don't know guys, don't ever give up, I have worked hard to be where I am, I have great experience in the field, and it may not be the time for me... JUST ALWAYS WORK TOWARD YOUR LOVE, YOUR PASSION!!

 

[AlairaK]

t

 

[Liselaime]

Where is this school with crazy mean professors who make you do stats problems and harangue you in interviews?

 

[AlairaK]

I would like to share about occurances at my last interview.

We had a pre-interview thing within the lab the day before the real ones. Mostly interviewing with grad students and listening to the POI talk about her lab.

At the party, some applicant got drunk and threw up in the LIVING ROOM of a prof's house

Now on to the next day where it gets interesting. One of the stats guy gives applicants stats problems to do during their interview. Another gave some girl articles to read in and be ready to discuss in the interview.

My second interview was with my POI.

POI: tell me about your research

me: blah blah blah

POI: now I wanted to tell you that my grad students are concerned that you aren't a good fit for the lab. They liked you a lot, but aren't sure about the fit.

me: *blank stare* oh, okay

POI: I disagree with them, I really like what you have done and your background. But I know I have taken a real risk inviting you here. I could potentially be interviewing someone else, someone else could be in your shoes. But I think you are worth the risk. Your gpa is great and your GRE scores are awesome. I think you are a great fit.

me: umm, thank you.

POI: now I want you understand that we don't have access to a medical center. We are doing health research, but you won't have access to a medical center.

me: I understand

POI: Now you would have to give up the thought of being in a medical center until at least the end of your third year. Now you could work as a nurse somewhere if you wanted, hell I don't care. But you won't be doing any research in a medical center. You will need to let go of the medical center.

me: *wtf? I get it* Okay

POI: now I think you are a great fit. What do you think about the fit? Would you come here?

me: I honestly can't tell you that for certain right now. I will let you know that I have already been accepted to 2 other programs. I really like your philosophy in this area.

POI: well that is important for me to know. I don't want to extend offers to people who don't want them. And I know that people have until April 15th to make decisions, but I would kill you if you took that long. And You would need to be able to let go of being in a medical center if you came here. But I really like you and think you would be a great fit.

me: thank you

this whole thing really turned me off. Out of a 30 minute interview, 25 of it was spent on her pressuring me, giving me some backhanded compliments and telling me they aren't connected to a medical center. I would have seriously considered this place because I really liked the POI's perceptions on the future of health psych (even though the funding is crap).

So that is my only weirdness of the interview cycle.

---
*raises hand* I would just like to take credit for 1) being the girl who was quizzed on graduate level stats in her interview and for 2) being the girl who was sent off with a 50 page stats article to read in 2 hrs and be quizzed on (I was asked questions that grad students said they learned in their 2nd year of grad school) and 3) for subsequently being rejected because the POI wanted someone with computer programming skills. Seriously. All his applicants were rejected for that reason....a question which could have been asked over the phone and prevented all the stress and time and money wasted.

booo for me.

😀😀😀😀😀

 

[psych00]

I wonder if that professor would have liked it if you said....well I think I am a relatively good fit because I generally tend to NOT throw up in professors' living rooms...

 

[blindchaos]

At an interview day at a univ, I seriously started to wonder if one of the applicants was planted by the school (like a covert stress interview "Let's see what they do when a completely inappropriate person is placed at their table...."). At the same school, a different applicant (or another planted decoy 😛) openly bashed her interviewer AND the school in front of current students!