burgundywave Posted January 6, 2016 Share Posted January 6, 2016 So I just found out that I will be having a skype interview with a POI at Stanford for a PhD in Geophysics. I'm pretty stressed out about it and don't really feel prepared for it. Do you guys have any advice, tips and experience with this kind of interview? Any help is appreciated! THX Victor Awosiji 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjoh197 Posted January 6, 2016 Share Posted January 6, 2016 The only real advice I can give is even if you won't be viewed from head to toe... I prefer to dress fully for the part. It makes me feel more professional and prepared. burgundywave 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lethalallele Posted January 6, 2016 Share Posted January 6, 2016 I had one today for a POI in chemical and biomolecular engineering department at UNL and it was way more relaxed than I expected. I told him what my research interests are, and then he went into detail about each of his projects, and then about the department/program in general. Asked if I had questions before going on to each section, etc. burgundywave 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeoDUDE! Posted January 7, 2016 Share Posted January 7, 2016 it would be good if you could list projects that you thought were really interesting, and why. IE, when he/she asks, tell me about your research interests?, have some specific papers in mind that you really like. They don't have to be his/hers but they should be related and it should be fairly obvious why you want ot work with that POIs. burgundywave and Victor Awosiji 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
burgundywave Posted January 7, 2016 Author Share Posted January 7, 2016 4 hours ago, GeoDUDE! said: it would be good if you could list projects that you thought were really interesting, and why. IE, when he/she asks, tell me about your research interests?, have some specific papers in mind that you really like. They don't have to be his/hers but they should be related and it should be fairly obvious why you want ot work with that POIs. Yes, having specific papers to discuss sounds like a good idea. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
burgundywave Posted January 7, 2016 Author Share Posted January 7, 2016 5 hours ago, lethalallele said: I had one today for a POI in chemical and biomolecular engineering department at UNL and it was way more relaxed than I expected. I told him what my research interests are, and then he went into detail about each of his projects, and then about the department/program in general. Asked if I had questions before going on to each section, etc. Glad to hear that! Hopefully mine will be similar! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeoMex Posted January 7, 2016 Share Posted January 7, 2016 Is it really common for people to have interviews before their applications? Or discuss it thoroughly on email? I've never got even a "do you have any questions about this or that?" on email by any POI. I wonder what's all that about. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TakeruK Posted January 7, 2016 Share Posted January 7, 2016 I would not say it's "really common". But it's not rare either. For most of my schools, I submitted my application, heard nothing for a few weeks, and then got an email/phone call "congrats, you've been accepted!" or "sorry, there were a lot of highly qualified applicants but....etc" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeoDUDE! Posted January 7, 2016 Share Posted January 7, 2016 I think it depends. I think a lot of POis like talking to their prospective students at least once before throwing hundreds of thousands of dollars to educate them. Victor Awosiji 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
burgundywave Posted January 10, 2016 Author Share Posted January 10, 2016 (edited) Any suggestions of good questions to ask the POI at the end of the interview? Edited January 10, 2016 by burgundywave Victor Awosiji 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cobalt27 Posted January 14, 2016 Share Posted January 14, 2016 (edited) I had a couple of Skype interviews before submitting my applications. Both were very relaxed conversations, about 30 min. Try to be friendly and excited about your application. We chatted about my motivations for attending grad school, and the POI discussed potential projects I could work on. As someone else recommended, I would suggest reading a few papers of the POI. Ask about the department, program, how many grad students they have... Pretty typical questions. I interviewed after work and was in business casual attire, which felt appropriate. Good luck! Edited January 14, 2016 by cobalt27 Spelling Victor Awosiji 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
burgundywave Posted January 15, 2016 Author Share Posted January 15, 2016 9 hours ago, cobalt27 said: I had a couple of Skype interviews before submitting my applications. Both were very relaxed conversations, about 30 min. Try to be friendly and excited about your application. We chatted about my motivations for attending grad school, and the POI discussed potential projects I could work on. As someone else recommended, I would suggest reading a few papers of the POI. Ask about the department, program, how many grad students they have... Pretty typical questions. I interviewed after work and was in business casual attire, which felt appropriate. Good luck! Thanks for the advice! My interview was yesterday and I initially thought it went ok. But the more I think about it, the more I think I screwed up. I shouldn't have answered that, I should have mentionned that, etc, etc. Hopefully it wasn't as bad as I remember it! Victor Awosiji 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vahni Posted January 24, 2016 Share Posted January 24, 2016 Was that person Paul Segal? Did you mail the POI about your application? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gelologist Posted January 24, 2016 Share Posted January 24, 2016 On 1/15/2016 at 10:34 PM, burgundywave said: Thanks for the advice! My interview was yesterday and I initially thought it went ok. But the more I think about it, the more I think I screwed up. I shouldn't have answered that, I should have mentionned that, etc, etc. Hopefully it wasn't as bad as I remember it! Ugh haha I'm doing the same this weekend after a UC Davis Skype chat on Friday :grimace: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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