BioMed Sci Interviews...what to expect?

[ez2nvme]

Hello everyone-

I am new to the forum so I was hoping for some advice. I have been asking a variety of people (profs, post-docs and current PhD candidates) what to expect. Of course, I have been getting a variety of answers from, "Oh don't worry, the interviews are going to be casual, don't stress" to "You should really read the papers (at least abstracts) of the potential faculty you are going to meet." To make a long story short, I have no idea what to expect! One interview is next week and I am 2 seconds from losing all sanity! Help!

[lab ratta-tat-tat]

Calm down, don't go insane

If it is a field you really like, reading the abstracts can give you the competitive edge you need to succeed. I would not spend a lot of time memorizing this, but if you do like this field, it will come naturally to just know the methodology and results.

It also gives you something to talk about with the professors and makes it look like you have already done your homework, a great skill which will help you out in the long run (grad school).

I would not stress out though, this is the worst thing that you could do. be your self, be able to talk about your research, what you did and what you can do as a grad student in their program. Ask them questions about their lab and their work and that will fill those awkward pauses which are inevitable.

Good luck!!

[eklavya]

certainly, go through the (abstracts of) papers published by POIs you'll be talking with. like the person above said, there's no need to memorize their works. just be familiar with what they have been/are doing. dress clean, professional, put on a smile, and don't forget to breathe!!!

you'll be fine, no worries.

[ez2nvme]

Thank you both for the advice! This whole waiting process is really nerve wrecking... I have only heard back from 3 of 8 schools so needless to say, moral is a bit low

bhikhaari, how did your interview at the U go? Congrats!

certainly, go through the (abstracts of) papers published by POIs you'll be talking with. like the person above said, there's no need to memorize their works. just be familiar with what they have been/are doing. dress clean, professional, put on a smile, and don't forget to breathe!!!

you'll be fine, no worries.

[NEUR0]

I would go a step further: read the abstracts but also read the intro and discussion, just to give you a more thorough understanding, which can also help facilitate remembering the "basics" of what they found.

Truthfully, I had some interviews where I was able to bring up their research and others didn't - they just went off. But I always tried to bring it in (like, "Oh, yes, I read the paper where you did X"). Just a simple comment can be good.

[MoJingly]

Hello everyone-

I am new to the forum so I was hoping for some advice. I have been asking a variety of people (profs, post-docs and current PhD candidates) what to expect. Of course, I have been getting a variety of answers from, "Oh don't worry, the interviews are going to be casual, don't stress" to "You should really read the papers (at least abstracts) of the potential faculty you are going to meet." To make a long story short, I have no idea what to expect! One interview is next week and I am 2 seconds from losing all sanity! Help!

Did you survive??

[ez2nvme]

Indeed I did McJingly! The interview was NOTHING like i had thought. it was so laid back. I felt like they were trying to recruit me. I had a blast during my time there and I just found out I got accepted a few days ago! One more interview to go, then I have to make the big decision!

Did you survive??