EdNeuroGrl

The major reason that you might consider going to the interview is that when you meet the people in the lab/department/school you may really like the second over the first. There may be some things that you visiting will perhaps provide useful information. However if you are decided and have the offer in hand then you should save everyone some time and money by politely turning down the interview at the second school.

Thanks for getting this info, I've been meaning to contact them, but haven't had the chance.

I haven't heard a word from either of the Education programs I applied to (Stanford GSE & Vanderbilt). I have heard from one of the 2 psych programs I applied to, and one of them has a 1 month delay from US schools. Since from my history search it seems that Ed programs seem to send out interview invites at the end of January, I am feeling the anticipation, but I am also not getting really worried just yet.

I"m getting advice from one of my mentors for specifics and what to do and what to avoid doing in a specific behavior sense. I tend to be a bit awkward and overly direct so I am fortunate to have someone to specifically help me there. In a more broad sense, I am doing what I can to write questions of my own I want to know about the place I'm interviewing at. Like how the other grad students handle cost of living, what the faculty is like and how well integrated and collaborative the departments are. I also have in mind that for the one interview already have, it may be mostly a make sure everyone gets along measure. I've had extensive conversations with everyone who I would be working with over the phone, so Ialready have a pretty good comfort level. We have discussed the field in a broad philosophical context as well as where specific research lines should/could go. I suspect I will also be getting at least one more interview and with them, I expect it will be a really close call should it come down to me getting offers from both. With this particular challenge in mind, I've been thinking about questions that would help me decide between one or the other. In this case, this is where department support, social atmosphere, mentoring philosophy, lab group dynamics, etc become very important... I don't know if that is particularly helpful, but it is how I am approaching the problem.

You're right, my bad.

I actually ask the negative questions, because I know that there are alway up's and down's. And I also know they are going to give me a positive skew. A person who says that they have never had a challenge or negative experience in the program is clearly lying... even if it is just that they struggled adapting to workload, being away from family, or living in a boring/way too busy town. I have gotten some really informative and genuine answers with this strategy, for me this is where those things that you as an applicant just don't know to ask about. This is also the time that students who have unique struggles, such as disability status or discrimination experiences, will start to come out of their shell a little. For me, knowing whether I need to be "in the closet" about having a disability, or coming from an unorthodox background, or having certain lifestyles is incredibly valuable. Asking directly literally outs-myself and is irrevocable; saying "How does X deal with students who are gay/disabled/from background x?" tips your cards. However, especially with grad-students, if they really wished they'd known something going in, they are very likely to respond here. If someone is experiencing some major problems because of this they will at least mention some difficulty integrating with the "culture" of the lab group... etc It is also something that won't come up when you ask a general, non-leading question like "What are your experiences with X" For some, this may be a risky strategy, particularly if this is not a concern for you. For me personally, it is really important information that is difficult to approach in a tactful manner while also getting useful information.

School Name: Georgetown Interview Invite Received: January 5 Degree: PhD Type: Lifespan Cognitive Neuroscience Notified via: Email from PI Interview Date: February 18/19 or 25/26 Additional Info: Had a phone conversation with PI before applying, and another 2 weeks ago. Was expecting the official interview invite.

I straight out ask them what they think about their PI's workload, mentoring style, what they have found to be the most awesome thing in their lab, and what has been the most difficult challenge they've encountered. I also ask them about living in the city, cost of living vs stipend/financial considerations. I also get a feel for them in a more social way, these WILL be the people I will spend a good chunk of time with and may depend on to teach me the ropes. In a case of equal other circumstances, having a really cohesive work group (or not) could make or break a decision for me. So far (I spoke with a bunch of them before I even submitted applications) I have gotten VERY honest answers from current grad students and post docs. They are more than willing to answer my questions, tell stories, and engage in some good conversation that has given me a much better picture of what I might be jumping into.

Just got an official interview invite to Georgetown's interview weekend, it is (as mentioned above) for their Psych Department Human Lifespan Development program. 2 possible dates for their in person interviews: Feb 18 &19 or Feb 25 & 26. It does seem from initial responses that Education rolls out their interviews about 2 weeks later than Psychology or Neuroscience, so to all who have heard nothing yet... Now is NOT the time to be worried. :-)

Hi all, Some of the other areas have interview threads going already. Basically, if you get an invitation to do an interview you post here with the university/program, the type of interview, and the topic/type of program you applied to, along with any other details you want to share. :-) It may be that education interview invites go out much later than the psychology and neuroscience ones do (I've applied to psych, neuro, and education programs). So far I've gotten an unofficial phone interview at Georgetown's Psychology Department's lifespan cognitive neuroscience program and the PI told me to expect an official in-person interview invitation from the university in the near future. However, I still haven't heard anything from any of the Education programs I applied to.

From Tucson Arizona... this question amuses me. :-) Also from colder climates too, above is true. Hang on your chair, put in your bag, hang on/ put in your cart. Also, don't be a dick and put your stuff on the chair next to you if you have a full classroom. Same goes for public transportation.

Right now I am making a list of things that would be really important for me to know in the case that I get multiple offers, though I've already chatted with some of their graduate students... but I know not many people do this tho... Some of the things I want to know with how they handle challenges graduate students commonly encounter, what they feel their role is in science communication and translational policy is, what they feel their role in teaching "unofficial curriculum" stuff (e.g. learning to socialize in the field, learning healthy and successful behaviors, learning metacognitive skills). I also want to know about their authorship practices, and a decent amount about their thought on research ethics and the role it plays... I don't know if that helps you think about it, but that has helped me boil down what I need to get out of interviews.

And I'm just gonna freaking die over here. Had the phone interview thing today and the conversation opened with telling me I'm at the top of the list... LOL that was unexpected... I'm told to expect the official invite to the interview weekend in the very near future! Woot woot!

BTW thanks! :-D It is actually tomorrow morning. :-) I'm not concerned about preparing as I've already spoken with the PI before I started my applications. We have a LOT in common and we've already been sharing notes on research and each other's writing. So I'm guessing it is a bit more of a formality, clarification, etc than the usual interview is. :-)

Georgetown Psychology department Lifespan Cognitive Neurosciences program

Just got my first interview invite! :-D

Just got an invite for a phone interview with the POI at Georgetown Psychology Department's Lifespan Cognitive Neuroscience program! So excited!

I applied to their Educational Neuroscience program. It is run through the Neurosciences program and collaborates across neurosciences, psychology, and education.

Just got my passport... just in case I have to make a visit to Canada in the near future! :-D I was super surprised to get it before January...

Patience my friend. Submission dates are JUST coming up...

Don't see why not :-) I'm in Ed Neuro and I've applied to 1 neuroscience program, 2 psychology programs, and 1 education program... So I have no foot to stand on in being exclusionary ;-) Welcome!

She submitted all 3 of them at like 2am today... *sigh* The presentation went great and the paper is done... it is actually really good and with some refining and elaboration could lead to a pub in the near future :-D Woot!

Mine still hasn't gotten it in... Dec 1 is 3 of my 4 deadlines... :-(