In this blog, you will see some of the most common and some of the most difficult or tricky graduate school interview questions candidates often face in interviews. These are the kinds of questions you likely already have in mind, and to which you have hopefully given some thought already, especially when you prepared your other materials such as your graduate school resume and graduate school cover letter. For those more difficult questions, we’ll provide some discussion about the question and an expert response.
>>Want us to help you get accepted? Schedule a free initial consultation here <<
Listen to the blog!
Types of Graduate School Interview Questions
“The process of preparing for graduate school interviews can be both very arduous and anxiety inducing. Through BeMo not only was I able to quell my anxiety, but I was also able to establish a baseline through which I can improve on any weaknesses come interview day. Additionally, their mock interviews truly help with getting you (as the prospective student) acclimated to the environment in order to be even more prepared for the whole process.” - Anonymous, BeMo student
Similar to how there are graduate programs that don’t require GRE, not all graduate programs require an interview, but – increasingly – many programs are making an interview a part of their graduate program requirements.
If you’re applying to a graduate program, ranging from a master’s in social work and master’s in psychology to the easiest PhD programs to get into, you may face an interview, and you need to be prepared for the kinds of questions you may be asked, such as “why do you want to do a PhD?”.
While you should feel comfortable enough to speak in a collegial way with your interviewer(s), you still need to be attentive to the fact that you are being evaluated at all times. With that said, bear in mind that making it to the interview stage for a graduate program means that they’re likely looking for reasons to keep you, rather than reasons to exclude you. Your application materials, such as your graduate school statement of purpose or your PhD motivation letter have gotten you this far, but the last step is your interview. Nikki, who got into a top-tier graduate program in California described the entire graduate school application process as “it's a ton of paperwork; it's a lot of questions you weren't expecting to answer; and it's a lot of writing.”
So while your writing has piqued the review committee’s attention, now, they want to see if you’re as awesome as you seem on paper – that is, if you’re both someone with promising ideas and someone they’ll be interested in bringing into their departmental community; and that can only be done through an interview But as Nikki said, there are many graduate school interview questions that you might not expect to be asked, and you have to be able to know the different types of questions commonly asked in graduate school interviews, as having an idea of what to expect will allow you to put your best self forward on interview day.
“I practiced answering common interview questions. I also prepared explanations of my past experiences and why they made me a good fit for the lab as well as the program overall. I also did some research into the program so I could highlight why I was interested in York specifically.” - Christina Lapytskaia, MA, PhD
Graduate School Interview Questions: General
Graduate School Interview Question #1: Tell Me About Yourself
This is almost certainly the most common interview question, regardless of where or to what you are applying. This question can and will appear in any professional interview. For example, you can check out sample answers we provide for "Tell me about yourself" medical school interview, "Tell me about yourself” residency interview, and even “tell me about yourself” nursing school interview. Truly, this is the most common, but nevertheless nerve wracking question out there. In general, you want to think of this as your “opening statement”, the introduction to the story of you as an aspiring grad student.
I was born in Germany, but moved to the United States when I was three years old. My father was an executive producer who worked on television shows, mostly. It was from him that I was introduced to the magic of film and television. He brought me on set with him every once in a while, to see how things worked; I met actors, crew members; when I was older, I even had an opportunity to operate cameras or be a background actor. I was in awe of the whole experience. It mystified me.
But I knew I would need to scale up at some point and develop more skills as a filmmaker. That’s when I decided to pursue undergraduate studies in film. Throughout that experience, I worked with other students who were interested in all different aspects of filmmaking: production, acting, cinematography, film history, screenwriting, and others. . Having a Bachelor of Arts degree in film studies was great for my resume and burgeoning reputation as an emerging creator, but I knew what I was lacking was a more robust learning experience in film history, theory, and analysis. . It’s been a difficult road, but I’ve been slowly building myself up as a creator. I believe that as I continue to develop my knowledge and understanding of film from a philosophical perspective, I can have a fulfilling career as a filmmaker/critic.
Graduate School Interview Question #2: Why Our School/Program?
“Find out in advance who you will be interviewed by - is it the head of the program or a mix of students and professors? This will help you determine how to prepare and anticipate what kinds of questions may be asked and what you should discuss. The second tip would be to research the school and the program. What is the school known for? What is the program known for? Once you know the answers to these questions, determine what relevant experience you have, either through work, academics, extracurricular, or volunteering, that you can use as content to showcase how the skills and experiences you have align with that of the school and the particular program you are applying to. Lastly, avoid statements that are vague and uninformative to showcase alignment, such as stating 'I love research' or 'I have a passion for learning'. Instead, showcase your 'love for research' or your 'passion for learning' through personal examples/stories that demonstrate how you are motivated to pursue research etc. This will make you stand out compared to other applicants.” - Megan Aoki, PhD
As Megan says, in responding to this question, you need to be specific. You need to think about questions, such as, what is it about the curriculum at that school that fits your own learning style or needs? What faculty member(s) would you like work with, and why do you want to work with them? Do you have a potential supervisor in mind? And, if so, have you reached out to them yet, to ensure they’re taking on students and interested in your intended course of study? Note: if you haven’t done this by the time you get the invitation to interview, then you need to do so prior to the interview, if at all possible!
As an environmental studies applicant, there are a few things I was looking for in a program from which I ultimately narrowed my options down. First, I’m an advocate for environmental issues. .
I believe that while theory and practical knowledge are important aspects of a robust education for this particular discipline, it’s perhaps just as important to have experience applying concepts to real-world issues in the community and worldwide. The University of Toronto Master of Environment and Sustainability has a strong emphasis on research, as well. With one of my biology professors, I participated in an a few field biology experiences; on one particular expedition, we collected samples and data concerning mottled duskwings, a medium-sized butterfly native to the geography. It’s always been important to me that my education emphasizes experience and practical application, especially in a field such as environmental studies. With collaborative specializations in Environment and Health, I expect to acquire a more holistic perspective on environmental issues with a better approach to solutions, at the University of Toronto in this program.
Graduate School Interview Question #3: Why Should We Accept You? How Will You Contribute to Our Program?
“My interview prep would include researching the program, practicing responses to common questions, and ensuring I could eloquently articulate my academic and research experiences. Also, I would engage in practice sessions with mentors, including graduate students with who I collaborated and worked with. Additionally, I would seek advice from my professors to enhance my preparedness for addressing specific questions.” - Celia Ferrag, PhD, University of Toronto
Up to this point, you’ve probably been thinking more about what you, as a student, will “get” from the institution (in terms of funding, research support or resources, work in a lab or as a TA, scholarly mentors, how to transition from academia to industry, and how to find industry jobs after PhD etc.). At this stage of your education, however, you must realize that the institution will get a lot out of you, as well. They will benefit from the research you do, the teaching work you will likely have to do, etc. So, what new, exciting ideas are you bringing with you? What can you offer them that others may not be able to offer (or, at least, not in the same ways as you)?
When I was in high school and throughout my experience in elementary school, I would tell people that I wanted to be a mathematician. But I stood no chance of making it happen because my grades, despite a consistent effort to perform, weren’t by any means exceptional. I stayed in after class, I studied hours of online lectures and practice problems just to perform as well as I did. So, when I got accepted into an undergraduate math program, I was determined to peel back the frightening mask that math appeared to be wearing.
One of the ways that I did this was by tutoring high school students. When I was taking higher level courses, I started advertising math help and study sessions for certain popular and notoriously difficult classes: applied mathematics, pure mathematics, calculus, statistics and actuarial science, and mathematical physics. With all the knowledge I gained from taking these courses, I felt ready to be a tutor and mentor to students who were struggling with them; I wanted to be the tutor to my students that I never had.
If I am accepted into your program, I want to be one of those students who can support their classmates. Collaboration in math is perhaps an underappreciated element; but for me, it is an integral component. In the primary research areas being vehemently explored at Waterloo, including carbon nanotubes and fluid mechanics, my collaborative spirit and enthusiasm will motivate students to work together to move research forward.
Graduate School Interview Question #4: Why Are You Interested in This Field?
“My interview with Gautham Pulagam was an extremely pleasurable experience. He not only helped me discover what I need to do to better myself, but he offered examples and tasks to do so. His help along with all the other people at BeMo has been crucial in helping me develop my interview and writing skills. He was extremely helpful, and made me feel welcome because he remembered reading my personal statement from what I said during the mock interview. Overall, it was a pleasant experience and I would recommend his help to anyone attempting to get into grad school.” - Thomas W., BeMo student
Whatever graduate program you’re pursuing, you need to have specific reasons for why you are following this particular path. You love the field? Great! What do you love about the field? WHY do you love those specific things about the field? What do studies in this area offer you that you can’t find in other disciplines? Answering these questions will give you the best answer to “Why are you interested in this field?”
And if you’re nervous about this question – don’t be. You inadvertently already answered this question in your graduate school statement of purpose or your grad school career coals statement. This time, you will simply need to articulate your interest verbally. Make sure to use examples of events and experiences that showcase that you took all the necessary steps to be certain in your field of choice.
As a teaching assistant (TA) for a variety of undergraduate courses, I have strived to promote inclusion in my seminars. Using small group discussions and group training exercises, I encouraged my students to get to know each other and see each others’ differences as strengths. I often assign group projects so they work together to achieve a level of learning and knowledge they might not be able to achieve on their own. For four semesters in a row, my students submitted glowing TA evaluations, particularly praising the group projects that I assigned.
I think that there are many ways that education could be improved in terms of inclusion and diversity. I think it’s also important to acknowledge what education on various levels does well and strive to uphold these practices. Traditional methods used in our classrooms and lectures can truly empower students from all different backgrounds, but we also need to work on diversifying the methods we use to address a variety of student populations. From experience, I know that classroom settings can either alienate or promote self-realization and unification. I want to deepen my knowledge of the relationship between education and society with a focus on equity and social justice. My goal is to become an educator, so I know it will be important to integrate a variety of perspectives on these issues so I can embody a message of inclusion in the classroom.
Graduate School Interview Question #5: Why Are You Pursuing This Degree (PhD)?
"The most common issue I encountered when I interviewed prospective graduate students (especially for a master’s program) is the lack of interest and clear goals in pursuing grad school. Some students apply to master’s as a placeholder for other professional programs (medicine, dentistry, vet, pharmacy, nursing, etc.) until they get in. This is sometimes apparent in interviews when a student’s goals do not align with pursuing graduate school (i.e. they are not interested in academia or industry). I have heard this answer too many times and it should be avoided: 'I am not entirely sure what I want to do in the future, and I truly believe this lab is a good avenue to explore whether or not I like research'. Even if this is the case, it was always a red flag to interviewers about their seriousness or commitment.” - Reem Sabry, MSc, PhD
If you’re hoping to do a PhD, it is important to be able to articulate why doing a PhD, specifically, is the right choice for you, your priorities, and your goals. Remember, the interviewers will most likely have reviewed your research resume and other application materials, so they know what you are capable of academically. Try to give them a larger picture of what a PhD will mean for your career and personal goals. Most importantly, remember to indicate what the school or the program possess that would allow you to achieve your PhD ambitions.
I want to obtain my PhD in artificial intelligence because I want to became a valued and accepted contributor to the field of research in this area. There are many interesting areas to explore currently; during my master’s studies, I mostly focused on research in artificial intelligence for health care. The question that I’ve been asking myself and other researchers I’ve worked with is “how can AI help serve the health care needs of the public?” There are two types of research that I would like to continue to build on in this PhD program. The first is machine learning. This type of AI processing can interpret things like imaging and genetic data. The second is natural language processing, which would be the real interest, because it will allow the AI device to extract information from medical notes and journals to provide. Language processors can also translate texts into machine-readable data, which can then by analyzed by these devices.
I have many goals with my research; but I think my central purpose in wanting to obtain a PhD at this particular institution is to gain access to the research institute connected with your school. Many formidable contributions to the growing body of research have been made within those walls, from causal interference models to AI and AI in public health. The abundant opportunities to collaborate and work with some of these eminent researchers is my primary attraction to this program.
Here are some tips on getting into graduate school!
![how to get into grad school](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 234 438.048"%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Graduate School Interview Question #6: Where Else Are You Applying?
This is a difficult question because you need to be honest, but you also need to be able to demonstrate why this particular institution would be a top choice for you. They want to be fairly certain that you’ll accept an offer, if it’s extended; at the same time, you need to cover your own bases and apply to multiple schools, if that’s what’s right for you (though we don’t recommend casting an overly-wide net with applications). This is why your answer should speak to elements you really value in any program, such as curriculum, research opportunities, faculty, teaching opportunities, and so on. So rather than focusing on specific schools and what they offer, focus your answer on why you applied to certain schools, including the one where you are interviewing.
When I looked for graduate school programs, I mostly focus on scholarship and research opportunities, as well as the faculty I had a chance to work with. In addition to this program, I have also applied to X school and Y school, both of which have excellent programs and scholarship opportunities in-line with my interests. That said, this school would be one of my top choices, particularly because of the work Dr. Singh is doing in his [Research Lab]. I’ve corresponded with Dr. Singh about his current initiative, and found that our interests overlap considerably, and he responded favorably when I asked if he might consider supervising my project, if I am accepted. I am up-to-date on his work and have been following it for some time now; working with him as I complete my degree would be ideal, due to my interest in this particular area. While I need to spend some time familiarizing myself with the wider field and theoretical resources, which will happen during my coursework, I already have some ideas of independent research I could possibly do, branching off of the work he’s done already.
Graduate School Interview Questions: Academic
Graduate School Interview Question #7: What Do You See as the Major Trends in Your Field of Study?
While it’s not expected that you will be an expert in the field at this point, you do need to demonstrate that you’re engaging the literature, that you’re pursuing the ideas in this area of scholarship, and that you’re doing these outside of and beyond your standard coursework. Those who do the bare minimum aren’t generally well-suited for graduate school. In undergraduate studies, you’re gaining exposure to a wide range of ideas, but you only take the very first steps down the specialization process in your final year or two of undergrad. Graduate school is a whole different beast – graduate school is as different from undergraduate as undergrad was from high school.
There are a couple of really influential and pervasive trends in physical therapy that I think are worthwhile to discuss. The first is telehealth service, which allow patients to meet with professionals over a visual online platform. Patients will typically follow exercise regiments along with the physical therapist demonstrating them. The main benefit is that patients can save on travel expenses, or if they’re dealing with a major injury, accessibility can be an issue. Telehealth is likely to remain a consistent option for patients seeking this type of service.
Wearable technologies are also rapidly developing innovations. ReWalk is perhaps one of the best examples. ReWalk allows patients with spinal injuries or injuries preventing them from being able to walk to stand and move using motors at the hip and knee; these devices are equipped with gravity sensors that the patient can use to steer and direct themselves with weight distribution. ReWalk is the first of probably many exoskeletons to get FDA approval for personal use.
Graduate School Interview Question #8: Can You Explain Your Research (or Research Interests) in a Way that Would be Comprehensible to Non-Specialists?
“When I interviewed to do my master’s and my PhD in a specific lab under two different faculty members, I started by reading their research. I read at least 2 most recent publications for that faculty member. I also created a list of my personal experiences that could be relevant to their research. I focused on technical lab skills as this is a common question if you are joining a wet lab. Lastly, I practiced the most common interview questions (tell me about yourself and tell us your weaknesses.)” - Reem Sabry, Msc, PhD
Ensure you can break down key concepts, unpack complex jargon, and explain the things you’ve done as if you were speaking to someone with no specific knowledge in the area. While you’ll likely learn additional methodologies and approaches as part of your graduate education, you still need to be able to discuss your own work and interests, demonstrate the skills and competencies you’ve already started polishing, and stir your listener’s interest by demonstrating both enthusiasm and nuanced, trenchant consideration of the field and the contributions you’d like to make to scholarship (broadly defined – inside and outside of academe).
So, most of my published research concerns the history of racism. Currently, I’ve been developing some ideas and responses to my colleague’s published work that essentially argues that the concept of racism couldn’t have existed for the ancient Greeks. However, my proposal is that the concept of racism, as we understand it in American terms, does not apply to the ancient Greek concept of race.
In my developments on this topic, I make the case for what some have called a “proto-racist” conception of ancient Greek racism and discrimination. I don’t believe that there is much evidence, as it stands, to suggest that the ancient Greeks were discriminating against discrete groups of people who would’ve assumed a “White” identity, put in our modern terms. They did, for instance, attribute to groups a common characteristic that weren’t biologically determined, yet were influenced by external factors.
Here's some advice on writing your research resume:
![research resume guide](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 900 600"%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Graduate School Interview Question #9: What is Your Research Interest?/What Are You Hoping to Research?
At first glance, this may not seem like a difficult question. Indeed, it may be one of the most obvious. However, at the stage of applying to graduate school, you will likely not have a clear research agenda yet, and that’s okay! As well, even if you do have a clear research agenda, it will almost certainly change before you finish your degree, as that is – quite simply – just the nature of research at this level.
The good thing is that your interviewer knows all of this. They know you’re not a grad student – yet. They know you’re not an expert – yet. So, come in with a clear idea of where you think you want to go with your education, but don’t panic if you can’t hand in a detailed research plan – yet. Be as specific as you can, and demonstrate why these ideas matter to you. On the other side of things, don’t come in with some grand plan that you think will shake the discipline to the core with its revolutionary ideas. So, do bring a good dose of humility with you into the interview.
[Note: as this must be answered with reference to a particular field, this is written from the perspective of someone applying to grad studies in history.]
Well, I acknowledge that there are some limits to my current knowledge, but one idea I’ve returned to again and again in my undergraduate work is the idea of historical narrative, and whose voices are dominant – or even permitted – in popular historical narratives and/or the public sphere. This is one reason I want to work here, with Dr. Stevenson, since she is one of the foremost scholars in this area of study. Her work on social media, state power, and the public sphere offers some new and interesting questions about how narrative and counternarrative arise, spread, and gain or lose legitimacy in the 21st century.
For my undergraduate thesis under Dr. Koenig at XYZ University, I was able to draw on Dr. Stevenson’s theories to explore the 2016 Standing Rock protests and media/social media response, a project that allowed me to respectfully approach members of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe for an interview, to better understand what they saw happening in this historical event and the popular support shown on major social media sites, like Facebook. The ways in which a history that, at the time, seemed to me rather far in the past, was seen as immediately relevant – a symbol of a larger struggle that has been teeming for centuries – was eye-opening for me. I want to understand this more deeply and explore the ways in which contemporary social media similarly collapses boundaries between past and present.
Graduate School Interview Question #10: If You Could, Would You Change Anything About Your Academic Experience so Far?
Academia is a social sphere, and there are alliances, cliques, and gossips, as there are in any social sphere. You don’t want to speak poorly of one professor, only to find out that they are close colleagues with your interviewer. So, if that thing you’d change has to do with the institution, avoid naming names and discuss why the issue was concerning or disruptive enough to leave you wishing it were different, and explain how you succeeded despite this. Turn it into a positive conversation about what you’ve overcome.
At my undergraduate institution, we were a rather small department. While I immensely value the education I received, the courses I took, and the professors who supported me, the diversity of perspectives was not as expansive as I wish it could have been. I was exposed to many different ideas and perspectives, and these were certainly present among our faculty, but with only 5 core professors, I was limited in terms of the specific guidance I was able to receive. That said, my professors were incredibly encouraging, and two of them put me into contact with colleagues at other institutions, whose ideas they thought I might appreciate. We corresponded by email, and they sent me some of their syllabi and reading lists, which added supplemental material to the courses I was already taking. Although a wide diversity of perspectives wasn’t available to me on campus, my mentors were able to point me to resources that helped me expand my interests and follow what captured my attention. I look forward to the day when I’m presenting at conferences, so that I can meet these scholars and thank them in person – I don’t know if they realize just how important their insights were in fostering my passion to continue my studies.
Still working on your statement of purpose for graduate school? Here are some tips:
![statement of purpose graduate school](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 500 905"%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Graduate School Interview Questions: Personal
Graduate School Interview Question #11: How Do You Deal with Failure/Disappointment?
Asking about uncomfortable things from our life history – failures, limitations, weaknesses – is very common in any interview. The purpose is generally two-fold: to see how you handle being asked about such things in a high-pressure situation (because we all just LOVE talking about our failures, right?!), and to see how you approach such “negatives”. It is very important that you reflect on such questions in advance, and do some probing to gain insights into who you are, how you’ve grown, and how you overcame such drawbacks. It is, quite frankly, inevitable that we will all fail at some point, we all have limitations and weaknesses, but what we do with all of these matters. If you can view these as mere bumps on the longer path to success, and focus on what you’ve learned when confronted with your own limitations or failures, then you’ll be able to navigate a touchy question like this one successfully, like our admissions expert Dr. Thais Lavangolli, PhD, did:
“I think the hardest question I had at that time was about describing a situation that I failed. I was afraid to come across unprepared or that I didn’t have the skills required to succeed in their program. I didn’t have much experience with interviews or how to address this type of questions, so I remember that I panicked for a moment until I was able to focus on an effective answer that showed that everyone can make mistakes, but it is important to be able to recognize them and improve from there.” – Dr. Thais Lavagnolli, PhD, Imperial College of London
If asked to give examples of personal limitations, again, be honest. Do not try to sneak in a “weakness-that’s-really-a-strength” – interviewers can see right through it, and it comes off feeling cliché, at best. Have you historically had poor time management? Say so. Do you have a hard time saying “no” to others? Tell them. Are you someone who is not naturally inclined toward organization? Confess. But, in all of these cases, do not simply leave it at that! Tell them how you are working past (or how you have worked past) such limitations. Poor time management? How do you stay on top of your school and other work, and how will you continue to do so as a graduate student? Uncomfortable saying “no”? What have you done to start creating boundaries, so that you won’t be overwhelmed? Disorganized? What systems have you put in place to manage your data? Show them you won’t just shrug your shoulders when you face adversity – even when the source of it is you yourself!
After writing short stories and poetry for years, I decided to try to get published. I began organizing my stories, compiling collections, building pitch materials and researching agencies I wanted to work with. I started sending out queries; one by one I received rejection after rejection. It was disheartening and demotivating.
I realized, after some reflection, that my expectations needed recalibration. As a first-time writer seeking representation, I needed to understand that it was unlikely to get published without any prior experience or credentials. So, during my undergraduate studies, I joined a writer’s club. With a group of motivated writers from all different experience levels, we critiqued each other’s work and discussed technique, style, and how to develop strong pitch materials. At the same time, I was volunteering as an editor for the school literary journal. I was reading submissions and making recommendations to the senior editor about what I thought would be good material to publish. I was learning to deal with my disappointment by using it to motivate improvement, in a more productive scientific manner. I had my first short story published in a mid-tier magazine. It was one of the most rewarding feelings. Failure is all about perspective; if you use it productively, you can turn it into something positive.
Graduate School Interview Question #12: What is Your Most Significant Accomplishment?
If you’re applying to a graduate program, you likely have significant accomplishments – academic, but probably personal, as well. That’s awesome! You should absolutely talk about this in the interview, of course! But, a word of caution: Be Humble – especially if you choose to talk about academic achievement. Your accomplishments are valid and worthy and you should absolutely be proud of them. However, you’re about to enter an arena where everyone is at least as accomplished as you are. You may be used to being at the top of every list, but now, you’re going to be working with all the other #1s, as well as the people who rank such lists. A dose of humility is always welcomed. Remember, the people interviewing you are looking at you as a future colleague. Graduate school is – ideally – more about working collaboratively and collegially with your peers and professors than it is working for your profs in undergrad. Along with evaluating your academic bona fides, they also want to ensure that you’re a person they’d like to see every day, as our admissions expert Vicky Cerdeira, MSc, points out:
“Don’t be robots. They want to see passion, and not scripted answers. You want to showcase that you are thinking, and that you are capable of applying your knowledge about life (and science) in and outside of the program. So let other people see how excited you get about the subject/program/research, while also highlighting your accomplishments. Be yourself, and never lie (to yourself and to others).” – Vicky Cerdeira, MSc, Université du Québec à Montréal
I think my most significant accomplishment, or at least the one that I am most proud of, is winning the regional championship for basketball with the university team when I was a freshman in college.
The regular season for us was rocky. We had some injuries early on, which meant that some of the players that weren’t used to getting a lot of playing time were asked to step up. I was one of those players. The coach told me that this was my opportunity to deliver on my promise and pull the team together with my leadership. We started to climb in the standings; we rallied together and played our hearts out every game. We were fighting for our lives out there, making the final push for a spot in the playoffs. In overtime of the final game of the season, we clinched a spot with a buzzer beater. It was an incredible moment.
But the road didn’t stop there. We faced some of the best teams in the region on our way to the finals. I wasn’t the best player on the team, but I did my best to motivate everyone with hard practice and pre-game speeches. We were the underdogs. When we won, I almost couldn’t believe it. It was an incredible feeling to be able to lead a struggling team to victory, to prove that I could be a strong voice for the team and motivate us out of defeat.
Graduate School Interview Question #13: How Do You Deal with the Stress of Academia?
We are seeing mental health crises in many facets of society, and academia is included in this. The pressure of graduate school is immense and virtually indescribable to those who haven't gone through it.
It’s all a lot to deal with, and it can be mentally trying, even in good times. Depression and anxiety are common. Every year, graduate students abandon their studies under the weight of it all, and some – particularly those with pre-existing struggles with mental health – are driven past the point of no return. Even those who seem “strong” or “okay” may be hurting far more than they may let on.
As such, the push toward a mental wellness model in academia is underway, but it’s slow-going. You need to demonstrate during the interview that you are realistic about the immense pressure you will be under, and that you have coping strategies in place to handle such stressors. As such, do not demonstrate any behaviors that can be construed as signs of stress or anxiety, as our admissions expert Dr. Megan Aoki, PhD, says:
“Generate a positive impression from the start of your interview through your body language (posture, eye contact, warm expression). With this in mind, avoid the following in your non-verbal communication: folding in on yourself, constant downward gaze instead of eye contact, fidgeting, playing with hair, intense eye contact (be natural about it), rigid posture, etc. These behaviors convey information to the interviewer that could be perceived as a lack of confidence or inability to handle stress. Therefore, it is important to think about the impression you want to leave. Think about using your non-verbal communication to establish a good first impression that you reiterate then with your verbal responses.” - Dr. Megan Aoki, PhD
I’ve been following the Chronicle for Higher Education online for the past year, as I wanted to start gaining an understanding of the realities of graduate school. They’ve posted many times about mental wellness in academia, as well as some of the unique stressors that come with life in higher education. I also know a few graduate students in various fields, and I’ve started talking to them about some of the challenges and stressors they experience. I know that this won’t be an easy road – academically or personally. I’m incredibly excited by the possibility to continue my studies at the graduate level, but it is clear that some effective coping strategies are necessary.
I’m fortunate in that I’m very close with my family, and I have a long-term partner, as well. They are all an immense source of support, and I always have a loving ear when I need to vent. On top of that, being in nature really helps me keep everything in perspective. My partner and I go camping every long weekend during the warmer months, and I live 5 minutes away from a massive, beautiful park, right on the lake. I actually take my books and laptop there frequently, sitting at a picnic table in the shade of a massive tree, looking out across the lake – it’s one of the best places to get work done. I can take breaks, listen to birds chirping, watch squirrels play, or just feel the breeze on my face. Even when I can’t go there, I have a nice garden in my backyard, where I grow flowers and vegetables, and a little outdoor work station where I can do some reading or writing.
Want to know how to get into grad school with a low GPA? These tips can help:
![grad school with low gpa](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 214 153.54500000000002"%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Graduate School Interview Question #14: What Have You Been Reading?/What’s the Last Book You Read?
This question is difficult because of how informal it can come across when asked. As ever, you want to be honest, but that means making a note to yourself right now: Ensure you’re reading things that show depth and curiosity! This doesn’t mean reading only those things related to your area of scholarship, but you absolutely do need to have such things in your regular rotation. If, for example, there are primary works in your field that you haven’t had the chance to read yet, then get to a library! Often, in undergraduate studies, you’ll read a lot of secondary sources – that is, readings about key theories, thinkers, and methodologies in the field, written by others. But, if there are landmark names in your field whose actual works you’ve never read, work them into your rotation along with some things that are more current. As noted earlier, if you’re not sure what these are – in either case, old or new – ask a research librarian at your school. Most schools will have discipline-specific librarians who are familiar with the major works in that discipline, foundational primary texts and cutting-edge scholarship happening at this very moment. Make use of this incredibly valuable resource – you’re paying for it with your tuition, whether you use it or not!
If you enjoy fiction, non-fiction works outside your field, graphic novels, etc., that’s great, of course! You don’t have to lose yourself and your enjoyment to pursue graduate studies. Just be sure to think through the image you project, if you discuss these in an interview. Reading Vampirella is a bit different than reading Watchmen or Maus. Discussing your love of trashy romance novels comes off in a different way than discussing your love of historical biographies. That’s not to suggest there’s anything wrong with enjoying the former of either comparison – you do you! But, you do want to be strategic in what you disclose in an interview, since you're making a first impression (your quirks can come out after you've been accepted!). So, if you’ve legitimately just put down the most recent Harlequin novel, give it some consideration before reflexively answering this question in a way that doesn’t highlight your own depth --unless, of course, you want to study such things as part of your scholarship.
To be honest, over the past month, I’ve been handling a heavy load at school, so my recreational reading time has been spent more on fiction than non-fiction. I do have a subscription to [Top Journal], but I haven’t had an opportunity to really dig into the latest issue yet. Instead, I’ve been reading Margaret Atwood’s MaddAddam Trilogy before bed each night. If you’re not familiar, it’s a dystopian science fiction story that explores some of the anxieties and potentialities around genetic modification, environmental catastrophe, and the human/non-human species divide. As someone with an interest in apocalyptic narratives of the past, apocalyptic speculation about the future is also something I find fascinating. Atwood is also renowned for the research that goes into her novels, so seeing her explore the possibilities – both beneficial and terrifying – of the technological advances of the present really helps me think through some societal and personal anxieties about where the world is heading. She also just weaves deeply rich and incredibly elaborate worlds that I love spending time in and pondering, even if they are rather unsettling, at times.
Graduate School Interview Question #15: What are Your Career Goals?
You have most likely touched upon this question in your applications already, but the challenge here is to vocalize this verbally in a coherent narrative. The problem is, many students might be unsure of what exactly they may want to do after grad school. Our admissions expert Dr. Reem Sabry, PhD, shares her experience interviewing grad students:
“The most common issue I encountered when I interviewed prospective graduate students (especially for a master’s program) is the lack of interest and clear goals in pursuing grad school. Some students apply to master’s as a placeholder for other professional programs (medicine, dentistry, vet, pharmacy, nursing, etc) until they get in. This is sometimes apparent in interviews when a student’s goals do not align with pursuing graduate school (i.e. they are not interested in academia or industry). I have heard this answer too many times and it should be avoided: “I am not entirely sure what I want to do in the future, and I truly believe this lab is a good avenue to explore whether or not I like research” Even if this is the case, it was always a red flag to interviewers about their seriousness or commitment.” – Dr. Reem Sabry, PhD
The key to answering this interview question, even if academia is not your final goal, is to outline what exactly led you to an interest in graduate work in this field and how this program will help you get where you want to go. . If you’re having trouble brainstorming what exactly you want to include in your answer, reach out to a graduate school admissions consultant who can help you with this answer.
I want to become a substance abuse social worker. It all started before I even knew what a substance abuse social worker was. My father was an alcoholic. My brother and I were conditioned to think of our dad being home as a threat. When my aunt passed away from an accidental overdose, this seemed to “wake” my father up from his destructive behavior and sought help. He did a combination of withdrawal and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). It was incredibly difficult watching him go through the experience, but I also learned a lot from his experience.
Entering university, I joined a peer support group for student recovery an addiction resources. The school already established a strong support program. I mainly worked on developing and promoting resources detailing the effects of substance abuse, how to see the signs, and where to get help. The students I met through the program —struggling or otherwise—were always very grateful for our services. With this student group, I helped develop a report on how university students perceive substance abuse services to understand barriers and resistance to seeking treatment. We found that many students felt they were unworthy of support. To combat this sense of unworthiness, we launched our “you are worth campaign” promoting anonymous services that people can use to hopefully introduce them to help and lower the perception that they don’t deserve help. I was able to use my father’s experience to help these students and change attitudes towards addiction and treatment at my undergraduate alma mater. I hope to continue this work in my graduate school journey.
Graduate School Interview Question #16: What are Your Research Interests?
Your answer must not only outline what you plan to research in your new program, but what steps you took in your education so far to get to where you are now, as our admissions expert Dr. Reem Sabry, PhD, points out:
"To do a thesis-based graduate program, prior research experience, particularly in a lab setting is valued. Alongside my undergraduate degree, I completed a biotechnology technician diploma at a college, and I included this in my CV. The technical lab skills I learned through extracurriculars made me stand out for grad school.” – Dr. Reem Sabry, PhD
Even if you changed your interests radically, make sure to create a narrative that shows why you are interested in your topic and how you got there.
I want to participate in some of the exciting research happening at your institution in collaboration with other thinkers currently tackling this “hard problem of consciousness.” As a neuroscience major, I had the opportunity to work with some of my professors on research they hosted on the subject of consciousness. I worked on one particular project tackling the relationship between consciousness and pain. Using established research and data published by eminent figures in the field, we published a paper detailing the neural correlates of consciousness, honing in on the thalamus and cortex. We also noted interesting perspectives on “placebo” anaesthesia, in which people, through mindfulness or other methods, can induce a sort of anaesthetic experience.
If I’m given the opportunity to work on research at your institution on the graduate level, I would like the pursue a similar body of research investigating The Global Workspace Theory and other competing theories, such as Higher-Order theories of consciousness. These are, as I’ve noticed, the two areas that many of your faculty members in the philosophy department are occupied with. Coming from a neuroscience background, I’m also aware of the invaluable contributions and collaborations of a strong neuroscience department. The cognitive neuroscience research facilities available at your institution, equipped with CT and MRI machines, will be an important aspect of my mission to illuminate the mystery of the emergence of consciousness.
Graduate School Interview Question #17: What Do You See as the Major Trends in Your Field of Study?
Another question that inquires about your level of familiarity with the current questions and research in your field. This is your chance to showcase your knowledge! While you want to remain humble and polite, this is a question that you can prepare for and really demonstrate your level of understanding and interest in the field you are pursuing.
There are a few major trends in the field of psychology that I think will have a profound impact on the way that psychiatric illness is treated in this country. The first is the emergence of more services offering online video sessions, as opposed to exclusively in-person sessions. For people who can’t afford travel or who need accommodations to get from place to place, having the online option is more convenient and cheaper. Additionally, if there are potential clients who are worried about making the decision to attend therapy sessions, the online option can be a more approachable method.
Another interesting trend is virtual-reality therapy, which has been gaining traction in recent years. VR therapies are typically used, when it’s available, to treat phobias and anxiety-related disorders. People can enter anxiety-provoking situations, such as a plane for people who are afraid of lying, to “expose” themselves to the anxiety and apply strategies they learn in therapy. These VR sessions can be a great steppingstone for people who aren’t ready to step into the “real” situation. But practicing in an environment like that can show people that they can learn coping strategies and eventually gain confidence outside of a clinical setting.
The final trend that I think is worth mentioning is mindfulness. Mindfulness has been given a lot more attention in recent years, especially as research continues to show the short and long-term benefits of applying mindfulness meditation and strategies to their every day lives. I recorded a study during my undergraduate studies using MRI to image the brains of people before and after they learned and applied mindfulness techniques for two months. The activation of the amygdala appeared to diminish whilst subjects performed basic everyday tasks, like studying. I think that mindfulness has a lot of potential to become a more prevalent treatment option for most anxiety-based disorders, including generalized anxiety, OCD, and PTSD.
Graduate School Interview Question #18: Share Your Opinion on a Current Issue in Your Field.
As you can see, a question on current trends in your field can be asked in different ways. In this case, you are asked about only one trend or issue. This means you can get really in-depth about the topic of your choosing!
In the field of nursing, I would argue that one of the biggest issues currently is safety on the job. It’s been an ongoing issue in the field since its inception, that I don’t think has ever been addressed adequately. We have made progress, sure; provision 3 and 5 of the American Nurses Association Code of Ethics, which require nurses to protect and promote the safety of patients and to mitigate the effects of fatigue by caring for their own health and safety. However, nurses do face a lot of harassment by certain population groups especially. I read a figure in a study that showed that roughly 60% of nurses worldwide have reported at least one incidence of sexual harassment in the workplace.
Nurses experience other forms of bullying and harassment as well. I was working in a psychiatric care unit and had more than one patient try to strike me or use racialized expletives against me. It is our right as nurses to work in environments that are free from violence and harassment. It should not be a part of our jobs, as far as I’m concerned. Unfortunately, many people, including some nurses, consider harassment to be “what you sign up for” when you become a nurse. We would not tolerate the same treatment in other jobs, so I don’t see why it should be any different for nurses, especially as we are generally caring for vulnerable members of our communities.
I’ve become an advocate to try to help mitigate some of these issues, but I think they will always be present until the government enacts more provisions, and stricter ones at that. I work for an organization that promotes resources and laws that protect nurses from violence and harassment. We have an entire domain full of downloadable resources covering workplace violence prevention policies, updates to occupational safety regulations, how to report to a supervisor, employer duties under the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and more. It’s important for nurses to know their rights in these stations, ideally before they have to face them. And hopefully they never have to.
Graduate School Interview Question #19: Why Did You Choose this Program if You Majored in X for Your Undergraduate Degree?
This is a dreaded question for those who choose to pursue a discipline that differs from the one they studied previously. But there is nothing to be afraid of! You must simply outline why you chose to pursue a different field and how your previous field prepared you for the one you are pursuing now! This is very common in all kinds of post-graduate and professional programs! Our admissions expert Aaron Schultze, JD, shares how he made his Drama major relevant for law school applications:
“I had a nontraditional major for law school (Theater & Dance). I explained how my fine arts education created a foundation for truthful storytelling and how to perform authentically. I was interested in Criminal Defense, so I explained how a degree in Theater allowed me to understand and relate to different characters in different circumstances.” – Aaron Schulze, JD, University of Texas School of Law
Brainstorm which qualities and skills you gained in previous field of study that are really valuable and useful in the new field of study you are pursuing.
I had a hard time choosing between English and philosophy when I was deciding which undergraduate program I wanted to apply to. I decided that if I established better writing and studied linguistics and literary theory in the English major, I would learn valuable hermeneutic strategies that I could apply to more philosophical texts.
Furthermore, I think English and philosophy are quite similar disciplines. They both focus on critical thinking, writing effectively, argumentation, and interpretation. The major differences are the texts that are studied and the oral/written communication styles. I took a variety of philosophy courses as electives throughout my studies, so that I could learn philosophy in a way that would complement my studies in English. I learned basic logic, debate, existential philosophy, metaphysics, and feminist philosophy.
The reason I decided to pursue a graduate degree in philosophy, and not English, is because I found that I enjoy reading the philosophical texts more than I did the English ones. I gradually veered toward philosophical literature, like Dostoevsky and Tolstoy, until I dived into more classic philosophy such as Plato, Descartes, Hobbes, and Kant. One of my professors, who I took advice from, suggested that if I am still reading and studying philosophy on my own time by the time I graduate, it’s a good indication that I will enjoy a career in philosophy. So, while my approach is somewhat intuitive, I think that my degree in English with some background in philosophy will allow me to pursue this degree with conviction and qualification.
Graduate School Interview Question #20: What Do You Do for Fun?
Do not be alarmed. This is not a trick question. Grad school interviewers are also people, and these people will most likely spend a lot of time with you if you get accepted. As we already mentioned, graduate school is really about collaboration and working together with other students and faculty. These people want to get to know you and this is why they ask this question. To some extent, you can be honest with your pastimes, but try to avoid contentious or controversial topics. Feel free to reveal your volunteer engagements or activities you like to do with your family and friends. And most importantly, try to reveal in your answer a quality or a skill you think will really demonstrate your character. Tell a story, and engage your interviewers with your answer. You can even connect your pastime with your research, if possible.
My husband and I love to watch Italian cinema. Especially, films made in mid XX century. The appearance on screen of Sophia Loren, Marcello Mastroianni, Claudia Cardinale, and other stars of Italian cinema is always a celebration for us. What I love about Italian films the most are the incredibly sophisticated humor and philosophical outlook on life. Each culture has its own way of seeing the world, and I truly enjoy watching cinema from all over the world, but I find the complexities of life are addressed best in Italian movies, such as the dilemma of artistic creation and mundane reality. As I look for graduate programs in creative writing, I cannot help my reflect on the struggles of the poor Guido Anselmi from Fellini’s 8 1⁄2 who, as an artist, struggled but strived to be an authentic “auteur”, as the French say. I too look for autonomy in creation and inspiration, and understand that only by being honest with myself and with the help of others I can achieve my goals in creative writing. This is something I look forward to in finding in your program.
BONUS: Questions to Ask the Interviewer
- How long does it take to typically complete this program?
- Where are recent alumni employed? What do most graduates do after graduation?
- What types of financial aid are offered?
- What criteria are used for choosing recipients?
- What opportunities are available through the program to gain practical work experience? Are there opportunities such as assistantships, fellowships or internships available? What are the deadlines to apply to these opportunities?
- Are there any scholarships or internships available?
BeMo Graduate School Interview Prep Reviews
Preparing your graduate school interviews? Our admissions experts are here to help! Check out some of our BeMo reviews from one of our students:
"BeMo’s Mock interview sessions for my upcoming graduate school interviews truly helped provide me with the opportunity to practice, receive feedback, and improve my skills. My interviewer, John Atytalla, made the mock interviews both engaging and insightful. Not only did he provide proper points on which I can improve upon for my upcoming interview, but he also provided me with examples on how to respond in order to make my responses much more concise and professional. I thoroughly feel as if, through John’s guidance, I will be able to succeed in getting accepted into my top pick schools." - GDM, BeMo student.
"Kethlyn was great. Not only she provided accurate feedback for my interview prep session, but she also gave me lots of additional material to work with. Thank you!" - Ludovica, BeMo student.
1. What are the most common graduate school interview questions?
The most common grad school interview questions are “tell me about yourself”, “why do you want to pursue this program?”, and “what is your research focus?”. Keep in mind that these questions can be worded in different ways, such as “what brought you here?”, “why did you choose to apply to our program?”, or “how have you prepared for your research interest?”.
2. What are the hardest graduate school interview questions?
This depends on many factors, including your personality. But most students find personal questions quite difficult. Why? Because it’s often hard to talk about yourself in a professional and succinct manner.
3. How do I prepare for grad school interview?
The best way to prepare is to research sample grad school interview questions, like the ones we list in our blog, and start brainstorming talking points you can use. Then, we strongly advise you to set up mock interviews where you can practice answering questions in a realistic setting. It's also smart to check out questions asked by specific schools, for example, Stanford graduate school interview questions.
4. What questions do interviewers ask in graduate school interview?
There are 3 main categories of graduate school questions: general, personal, and academic. Their differences are outlines in our blog.
5. What are behavioral graduate school interview questions? Are they common?
No, they are not common for most graduate programs. However, programs like social work might include behavioral questions in their interview format, especially as MMI questions.
6. Who are interviewers at grad school interviews?
Some of the interviewers might be faculty from the department that you want to join as a grad school, some may be students from the department, but some might be faculty or professionals from a completely different field. This is why when you speak about your research, make sure to not use any jargon so they can understand you.
7. What kind of format will my grad school interview take?
You should definitely research this for every school you’re applying to. Most grad schools will use the traditional format or the panel format. However, some programs may also use MMI or some other form of modified interview formats.
8. How long are grad school interviews?
It really depends on the format, but anywhere from 20 minute to 1.5 hours. You must also keep in mind that if you’re invited to an interview, you might also have the opportunity to meet with peers and take a tour of the campus. So make sure to delegate a whole day to your grad school interview.
To your success,
Your friends at BeMo