<p>I have a couple of interviews coming up and I'm starting to wonder about the types of questions I should be prepared to answer and the ones I should ask. (The interviews are for PhD programs in biomedical engineering and neuroscience if that makes any difference.) </p>
<p>From what I understand, grad school interviews are typically more of a "let's sit and chat" style than an interrogation. I expect that I'll have to be able to intelligibly discuss my research experience and interests and why I want to be in the program. Are there any other questions that pop up a lot? How much should I know about the research of the professors I will meet with individually?</p>
<p>I'm sure I should ask the professors a few questions during the interviews too. I've always had trouble with asking questions during job interviews, so I feel I should have a few backup questions prepared in case I can't think of anything else to talk about. Does anyone have good advice for questions to ask? In cases where you meet with more than one professor in a day, do you ask the same questions of all of them? Are there any questions I should specifically avoid asking the professors? Any questions that would be better to ask grad students than the professors? </p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
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From what I understand, grad school interviews are typically more of a "let's sit and chat" style than an interrogation. I expect that I'll have to be able to intelligibly discuss my research experience and interests and why I want to be in the program.
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Yes, they're very much more chats than interrogations. In a typical interview, the professor will give you an overview of the research in his or her lab, and then you'll give an overview of your undergraduate research. (That can happen in either order.) Then he or she will ask if you have any other questions about the program -- it's good to prepare a stock question or two to ask, if only so you don't feel stupid at this point. :)</p>
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How much should I know about the research of the professors I will meet with individually?
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You will generally get to suggest or pick your interviewers, because interview weekends are partly about you seeing if there are a few labs you'd like to think about joining, so you will know a little about your interviewers from looking them up to request them. It's good to know a little tidbit about what they do -- I had one professor start the interview by asking, "So what made you want to interview with me?" and I couldn't for the life of me remember what she did.</p>
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In cases where you meet with more than one professor in a day, do you ask the same questions of all of them?
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Absolutely. I mean, you don't have to, if you have a large list of questions, but nobody's going to know if you're asking the same questions of everyone.</p>
<p>Interviews are really very friendly occasions, and I found them tremendously fun after I got the hang of them. Professors know that you're a little jittery, and most of them will do everything they can to put you at ease.</p>