Emory WGSS/ Duke Literature/ NYU MCC (etc.) Admission Interviews

[ShivD]

Hi,

I am looking to learn from folks who have been through the process of grad school admissions before and were interviewed after getting shortlisted. 

What are the interviews like? What do they focus on? How much detailed preparation do they expect you to have on your proposed topic/ area of research?

Some of the programs I have applied to include: Emory's WGSS PhD, Duke's Literature PhD, NYU's MCC PhD and Northwestern's Screen Cultures PhD. My project is very interdisciplinary, but pertains to feminist and queer theory and cinema studies, most specifically. I wish to intervene some of the current debates in feminist and queer theory, by focusing on questions of desire and fantasy viz. Bollywood, contemporary queer feminist movements in India and globally. 

About my profile: I've a really trans-disciplinary background, but mostly recently I finished my MA in Historical Studies from the New School (with grad certificate in Gender and Sexuality). I have worked for over 3 years in a university setting in the gender and sexuality studies space, and I am currently teaching in India at a university.

While I wait it out for the decisions, I wanted to ask how I could prepare for the interviews, in case I do get shortlisted. Any help would be really appreciated. 

Thanks!

[KJH]

I've been invited to admission interviews from UCLA, NUS and USC so far and the majority of the interview questions revolved around 1. feasibility of the research, 2. methodologies, 3. logical basis & significance of the research and 4. my talents & skills & experiences related to the research. Thinking back, all the three interviews were basically to uncover how much of a potent researcher I am and how prepared I am in conducting the proposed research. You seem to have a quite solid research interest, so as long as you elaborate it well to the committee members, you'd be fine. 

[ShivD]

@KJHThanks a lot! Your advice is very helpful. This will keep me occupied through January!