typical format for interviews?

[teilhard6]

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I'm in the process of applying to Psy.D. programs and since this is my first 'go-around' w/ pysch applications (hopefully my last), I'd like to get some specifics about how interviews are conducted....
Are we talking a panel of professors -- like, me sitting at a table, and on the other side a squadron of academics firing questions -- or will I typically be faced with just one person? Is the atmosphere low-key and relaxed, or very very formal? Will I be interviewed by the director of the program (or, say, a high-level administator), or by one of the professors, and how do programs decide which professors are in charge of conducting interviews?
I realize that each program/department probably does things a little differently, but I'd love to have a better idea what to expect. Thanks.

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

I don't remember all of my interviews (~4 years ago), but here is what I remember:

*All of them were full day (usually 8:30am-4:00pm), and varied in intensity.
*They all had multiple interviews with faculty, current students, and sometimes the TD.
*Most of my faculty interviews were pretty relaxed. Some of them knew a great deal about me, and other ones they were interviewing blind (not even a resume.....supposedly more of a 'feel' interview). The 'feel' interviews tended to be secondary to a more formal one and a group one.
*The small group interviews (usually 2-3 other people) always seemed to have 'that guy/girl', who would try to monopolize the time...regardless if they spoke intelligently or on topic.
*The student interviews seemed to have the hardest questions, since they really knew what to ask about, though at least one was much more about answering questions that I had about the program.
*The hardest interview was the 60 minute analysis I had with a professor. The program had a psychodynamic slant (which was a good thing for me), but it still caught me a bit off guard.
*The weirdest interview was a group interview where a panel of faculty members observed a discussion between applicants. There were other interviews throughout the day with faculty and whatnot, but this was the one I remembered.
*ALWAYS opt for the campus tour if they ask. I found out more about the everyday stuff at the uni's that way than in any other opportunity.
*Don't be afraid to hunt down faculty members. I had a couple times when I was interested in multiple people's work, so during the free time (some had more than others), I'd try and track down a faculty member and introduce myself.

Wow...I remember more than I thought...especially that analysis "interview".

-t

 

[psychwanabe]

T4C: I'm glad you made that last statement. My first sentence was going to be...so what would your post say if you did remember a lot??

I had the gamut of experiences as well. You might think that PsyDs would be easier than PhD interviews, but they are not necessarily. My most heart-pounding interview was at a PsyD in which the prof (former military man) interrogated me and then argued with every single thing I said. I held my own and didn't back down from my answers, but it really put me on edge.

I only had one interview with more than one person at a time. Otherwise it was my POI for sure, and then sometimes other faculty. At one place, I had three interviews with faculty including the POI and the DCT as well as a student interview. At another place, there was only one faculty interview -- very relaxed and she mostly talked about herself --- and the student interviews were in group settings (some with faculty, some without). In each case, it was a full day.

Along with T4C's recommendation that you take the tour (unless it's @#$% cold out), I would also recommend that you take part in any social activities that are offered to you. Those are usually attended by current grad students and are the BEST place to get the low-down on the program.

 

[deleted176373]

Echoing Psychwanabe's sentiments, the Psy.D. interviews were often tougher than the Ph.D. ones. Our Lady of the Lake was pretty tough and Baylor was as well, neither of which accepted me because of a lack of clinical experience.

LOL, Most of the interviews I had went along the lines that T4C noted, however one really stood out. It was my USUHS interview. Really unusual experience.

You were brought into a room, 8 faculty members were inside waiting for you. They rapid fired questions, you answered. One of my favorites was:

Question:

"When you get writers block what do you do to alleviate it?"

Answer:

"I grab my .45 and head down to the range for some stress relief."

Comment:

"Hmmmm, I don't think we've had that answer before."

The faculty interview was designed to intimidate there. I didn't feel that way, but you knew why it was done. They were looking to see how you did speaking in front of a group and how well you could maintain your composure.

Mark

 

[psychwanabe]

You were brought into a room, 8 faculty members were inside waiting for you. They rapid fired questions, you answered. One of my favorites was:

Question:

"When you get writers block what do you do to alleviate it?"

Answer:

"I grab my .45 and head down to the range for some stress relief."

I wonder if that response made them afraid to accept you, or afraid to reject you?

Classic.

 

[kestrelcry]

At the program where I work (and will hopefully get in *cross fingers*) the graduate students take applicants out to dinner. Apparently, this is a super-important interview in disguise and most applicants don't realize it. Granted, not all professors necessarily listen to their students' opinion as much, but I would think most labs would want to know that you'll fit in comfortably. The last two years they got a couple applicants who were really well-qualified but also complete losses on the social interaction front. They didn't get in.

 

[nononora]

Adelphi puts all the interviewees in a room and observes them interacting

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

Adelphi puts all the interviewees in a room and observes them interacting

I *HATE* that style. Bleck. I can do well in the environment, but it is so artificial, so I fail t see the real benefit of doing it this way.

-t

 

[JockNerd]

One school I applied to (counseling PhD) had group interviews with a prof, with grad students, and a "discussion forum" about some issues with a prof. It sucked hardcore. Too many twits vying to be group facilitator. I was not impressed.

 

[Ollie123]

It varies by school. All the interviews I had were pretty low intensity and quite collegial. Meet with various faculty individually, big discussion panel with current grad students, dinner with current grad students, etc.

I didn't apply to USUHS or Adelphi but if I had gotten interviews there, I'd probably have pulled my application after the interview! Doesn't sound like either would have the environment I was looking for in a grad school.

 

[deleted176373]

It varies by school. All the interviews I had were pretty low intensity and quite collegial. Meet with various faculty individually, big discussion panel with current grad students, dinner with current grad students, etc.

I didn't apply to USUHS or Adelphi but if I had gotten interviews there, I'd probably have pulled my application after the interview! Doesn't sound like either would have the environment I was looking for in a grad school.

Actually the school itself is not what you would expect from the interview. Most of the faculty are very warm, friendly, and receptive.

Yes, there is one faculty member who some feel is a little rough around the edges, but actually it's just because this person likes to push the students to be their best. I actually like this faculty member, but most would claim that this person is definitely a pain in the ass. I will concede they are a pain in the ass, but for the right reasons.

I am not saying this would have been the right school for you, but the interview really has nothing in common with how the program is run in the case of USUHS. I have to say that I am pretty happy with the program and the faculty.


Mark

 

[LosingMyMind]

So I only had one interview last cycle, but I hesitate to mention it in here as it may sound... intense.

Basically, three of us came in for two and half days. The first night we went out to dinner with current students. The next two days were non-stop interviews (16 of them!) with everyone from grad students in the lab, post docs, other faculty, the DCT, and our POI. It was *crazy*, but it really was the best way to a) get a sense of how hectic and busy things are around here and b) get a wide range of information on the program and, arguably more importantly, the lab for which we were interviewing.

I did end up getting in, so I may be a little biased as far as the whole experience.

However, an important point is that each lab holds their own interview sessions, so other people in my cohort had very different experiences. It all depends on the lab and POI you're after, I'd guess.

 

[NYCPsych]

People who are not applying to PsyDs or clinically-oriented (and/or psychodynamic) programs: I bet it's not worth getting too scared about an analysis session @ your interview ;-) The nature of the interview probably reflects the vibe of the program

1 app in, 7 to go! (including Adelphi, recently added on... uh oh... 😛)