pataka

I don't know that workout clothes are necessary for interview visits... Personally, I am trying my best to pack as lightly as possible. But yes, lotion and chap stick are a must!

Maybe all of the applications get transitioned to the next stage of the admissions process at the same time, and they aren't individually categorized into accepted/rejected/waitlisted until later/after interviews are complete and the adcomm meets for the final time? That's the only explanation I can think of.

human nature

These are excellent points. The reason I wasn't originally planning on taking notes during the interviews was that I felt like it would break the flow of the conversation. How do you effectively take notes during an interview without having awkward pauses while you're writing things? Do you just jot down keywords and go back and fill stuff in later? Wow I feel really silly asking meticulous questions but you two give great answers

fish sticks

You are a god-send; making a packing list was next on my to-do... list. Thank you!

@TakeruK Thank you so much for your answer! I wasn't planning on taking notes in the interview; rather, I would ask my questions/have a conversation and then write down notes/thoughts after the interview. This is something I was worried about. Thanks for your suggestion to break it up for each interview! I don't have an itinerary or really any details yet so I have no idea who I'll have the opportunity to meet or speak with, but I'll start categorizing my questions and figuring out which ones I'm most interested in anyway for when the time comes.

I have an in-person interview coming up for one of my top programs (!!!) and I've done a lot of research and a lot of prep. One thing I have is a long, written/typed list of questions I have for the program, faculty, and grad students. I don't think there's any way I could keep all of these questions memorized and I don't want to forget to ask anything, so I am planning on bringing the list with me (along with one of those professional leather interview portfolio/folders). My question is: how do I refer to my list without being super awkward or breaking the flow of conversation? Is it acceptable to be explicit about the fact that I have a list of prepared questions, when they ask "do you have any questions?"

Has anyone heard anything from UMich-Ann Arbor for Clinical Science (Psychology) yet? For the last 2 years, it seems their rejections were sent around January 16-18, and I assume interview invites would have been sent around then, too. I still haven't heard anything after my initial Skype conversation with them.

Sting operation

Yes, departments (or faculty) are calling people. It's okay if you don't answer your phone; plenty of people don't. They won't revoke your acceptance for not answering a phone call they will most likely leave a message and send you an email.

Two rejections in, and I'm feeling like I must have been delusional or something when I applied. Trying not to let that influence the one interview I do have coming up

Me too! I've done SO much research on how to prepare. This isn't an exhaustive list, but I hope it helps: Here's a great blog post to read Browse through the "interviews and visits" forum; it's really helpful but be careful not to let it stress you out. Read 1 or 2 papers (or abstracts) by your POI and maybe some abstracts by other professors with loosely-related topics of interest Look into if there is any info on current students/lab members for your POI's lab. Read about their interests. Usually this info is on a lab website if there is one. Go through this list and write down/prepare as many answers as you can that seem applicable Think of a lot (A LOT!) of questions to ask faculty, grad students, your POI specifically, administrators, anyone you might meet/interact with during interview day.

pit stop

Aww Is there a chance you would get to collaborate with him if you got accepted under another POI's funding?

Try St. Anthony Park or Como. Cathedral Hill is also a nice area if you don't mind a slightly longer commute.

warning sign

snow storm

ginger beer

Me too, please!

If the person who received a phone interview request from your POI for UIUC Counseling Psych would be willing to share the POI initials, I would appreciate it!

face paint

Ah, that makes me feel better. Thanks for the insight, and congratulations on your acceptances and interviews! Wow, notification a week before interview weekend is crazy! That would make me incredibly nervous for flights, etc. Good luck with the phone interview, regardless

Yes, they did, a little over a month ago. That's actually a really good likely/possible scenario that I hadn't thought about; thanks!

I would say I've heard/read more votes for "business casual" than I have for "definitely wear a full suit," but it probably depends on lots of variables such as which school and which program. Personally, I have an interview for a counseling psych program and I'll shoot for somewhere between business casual and full suit (currently I am thinking a black formal blazer, colored blouse, formal trousers that aren't black, a necklace, and black office-appropriate ankle boots). I had previously tried pairing black trousers with that outfit to make it "more formal," but then I felt like everything was too dark (blazer + trousers + shoes) and it felt too dull for me. I'd say take all of the advice you've read into account, but definitely wear something that won't hinder you from being/feeling like yourself at the interview!