Interviews....

[and...and...and...]

Greetings!

So when and if interviews start to roll in for the Gradcafe community, what should we expect to be asked? I really don't want to be caught off guard.

Thanks!

[wintergirl]

As I understand it (and from looking over last year's results board), of the schools I'm applying to only Stanford offers interviews. Seems like interviews for lit/humanities aren't standard like they are for the sciences.

Last year's Stanford interview notices went out around the 24-25th of January--so about 10 days from now. :/

Edited January 14, 2012 by bespeckled

[Timshel]

Emory does interviews, and they start notifying next week. Also, UMass Amherst interview for teaching positions, but I'm not sure if that is in person, phone, or skype.

[MichaelK]

I believe I read on a previous thread that Duke also does a round of pre-admission interviews.

It's interesting (and a bit sad, really) that interviews aren't a bigger part of lit admissions. One would think that sitting down with students soon expected to teach others would be important. Alas...limited finances and time, I suppose.

[vordhosbntwin]

duke's isn't a one-on-one interview, i don't think; it's like a kind of meet-and-greet for all the shortlisted applicants, so essentially, you are competing with the other candidates in front of the faculty. at least that's what current grad students have told me about the lit. dept.

[Mistral]

I believe I read on a previous thread that Duke also does a round of pre-admission interviews.

It's interesting (and a bit sad, really) that interviews aren't a bigger part of lit admissions. One would think that sitting down with students soon expected to teach others would be important. Alas...limited finances and time, I suppose.

Yeah - I think Duke Lit. does interviews, but I don't think the English Dept. does them. (I'm not sure about the Eng. Dept, though.)

[rubyrunner]

I’ve heard it’s a good idea to be able to articulate research interests and goals concisely: a short description of your projects in under 30 seconds, and a lengthier 2-5 minute description if asked. I figure that will be a good skill to have even if interviews don’t happen!

[perrykm2]

I REALLY, REALLY hope I don't have to interview with anyone. I will ruin everything.

[perrykm2]

I'd like to get my rejection on paper instead of being laughed off the campus.

[Timshel]

I actually think an interview could help me. I'm much better explaining myself, my experience, and my interests. I don't think some of my stats exemplify all that I have to offer.

[perrykm2]

I can't be allowed to express my opinions on the fly.

I had drinks with one of my professors at University of London. The conversation started academic and then spiraled out of control into me telling her about how I hate having sex with my boyfriend because he always eats Indian food and smells like, QUOTE, "a rotten samosa."

This is what would happen in my interview as well.

[marlowe23]

I can't be allowed to express my opinions on the fly.

I had drinks with one of my professors at University of London. The conversation started academic and then spiraled out of control into me telling her about how I hate having sex with my boyfriend because he always eats Indian food and smells like, QUOTE, "a rotten samosa."

This is what would happen in my interview as well.

That just made me laugh for prob. the first time in weeks - these applications really take a toll. I would prob. do the same thing.

[0000000000AAA]

For people who've done this before, when say a distant school requests an interview, is one expected to fly out or are they done via phone/skype? I know a decent number of non-mla based tenure track search committees rely heavily on skype.

Edited January 15, 2012 by WellSpring

[JeremiahParadise]

I'd like to get my rejection on paper instead of being laughed off the campus.

I can't be allowed to express my opinions on the fly.

I had drinks with one of my professors at University of London. The conversation started academic and then spiraled out of control into me telling her about how I hate having sex with my boyfriend because he always eats Indian food and smells like, QUOTE, "a rotten samosa."

I have nothing to contribute except to say that I loled x2 -- thank you both.

[perrykm2]

For people who've done this before, when say a distant school requests an interview, is one expected to fly out or are they done via phone/skype? I know a decent number of non-mla based tenure track search committees rely heavily on skype.

I'm sure this is right. I've had a lot of friends interviewed over the phone and Skype for grad programs. Most of them were applying to psych and science programs, though.

[Timshel]

Um, a skype interview terrifies me. I would much rather do a phone or in-person. I don't know why......

[0000000000AAA]

Profs in my department do mock skype interviews with job market bound PhDs to get them used to the process.

[Timshel]

Profs in my department do mock skype interviews with job market bound PhDs to get them used to the process.

That sounds really helpful. I think doing that would lessen the scariness of it.

[JeremiahParadise]

Profs in my department do mock skype interviews with job market bound PhDs to get them used to the process.

That sounds great -- where do you go, if you don't mind my asking?

[lolopixie]

I wish my programs had interviews. I also feel that I could much better explain myself, interests, research, abilities, enthusiasm, etc. etc. etc., face to face rather than trying to put it on paper all fancy-like. From my understanding of last year's posts, a lot of the interviews were via skype. All for only having to really get dressed from the waist up!

[Timshel]

I wish my programs had interviews. I also feel that I could much better explain myself, interests, research, abilities, enthusiasm, etc. etc. etc., face to face rather than trying to put it on paper all fancy-like. From my understanding of last year's posts, a lot of the interviews were via skype. All for only having to really get dressed from the waist up!

Yeah, I thought about that dressing up part. Emory's interviews are in person, but I'm trying not to think about them because the likelihood that I will get one is super slim.

[lolopixie]

Yeah, I thought about that dressing up part. Emory's interviews are in person, but I'm trying not to think about them because the likelihood that I will get one is super slim.

I recommend a bedazzled lycra unitard. It will make you stand out. Perhaps you should bring a baton and twirl fire.

[SeveredLetters]

Just received an invitation to Emory's interview weekend in February. Good luck!

[superfluousflo]

Just received an invitation to Emory's interview weekend in February. Good luck!

This is a silly question, since I applied to a different department at Emory, but when was your application due? I'm curious to see if other departments are moving along more quickly than history.

[Mistral]

Just received an invitation to Emory's interview weekend in February. Good luck!

That is awesome news! Congrats and good luck in your interview!

Let the notification fun begin!!!