<p>Hi everyone,
I am an international applicant and I applied for Mech Eng graduate program in Rice University. I have received an email from a professor who I mentioned in my sop as the instructor I want to study with, says that he wants to have a conversation with me. I am too excited and confused. Will we be talking about personal topics or academic topics? Because I have been working for 3 years as an officer and I may not remember many of things related to engineering. So should I take a look at something to prepare myself for academic questions? Or will it be just a conversation for him to learn about me?</p>
<p>You’ll probably be talking primarily about academic topics, although it probably won’t be like a quiz. You’ll be expected to speak intelligently about your field and your previous experience (anything you mentioned in your application is fair game for them to ask you about). You could probably be expected to speak about why you want to work with this professor and what sort of research you’d be doing with him. This will also be your opportunity to ask any questions about the professor or the program, so prepare for that. They do want to learn more about you, but primarily, they want to get a feeling for how you’ll fit in with they’re program, whether or not you’d work well with this professor, and how prepared and experienced you are for graduate school.</p>
<p>A google search would likely give you some sample questions asked in grad school interviews, and you can see if you can find anything for mechanical engineering programs or for Rice. I wouldn’t worry about studying engineering or anything (unless you’re so rusty that you can’t talk about it anymore–in which case, you may want to review a lot before you start grad school!), but I would recommend you review your application so you’re familiar with what they may ask you about and think of any questions you might have for them.</p>