Interview: What should I wear and how should I prepare

[Aztecson23]

Hello there. I've been informed that I, along with 24 other finalists, will be flown to the school for individual interviews and a jam-packed day of activities. I'm happy but also anxious (of course).

Can anyone tell me:

1. What is appropriate to wear? I was thinking some nice slacks, a dress shirt with a red tie, and a dark blue sweater (cardigan perhaps). Although I don't consider myself sartorially-challenged, I have not extensively schooled myself on what one should wear to interviews--I'm a teacher/tutor and I've worn business-casually clothes to interviews and gotten the jobs. I do have a standard-issue blazer but that's it. In short, help a brother out, please.

2. What kinds of questions do they ask?: personal backrgound, past and future research projects mentioned in the SOP, what is my favorite ice cream, etc.

3. What can I do to prepare?

4. What should I bring? CV (but why?)? SOP?

I appreciate your feedback. Thanks.

[Hillary Emick]

1. Business casual

2. Mostly clarifying questions on your SOP and CV, details about past experience.

3. Find out who you will be interviewing with and look up their research so you will have questions to ask them as well. Remember that this is not just about them deciding if they like you, you are also deciding if this is a good fit.

4. Only if you need to refresh your memory on these. They will have already had access to your application materials.

[Aztecson23]

1. Business casual

2. Mostly clarifying questions on your SOP and CV, details about past experience.

3. Find out who you will be interviewing with and look up their research so you will have questions to ask them as well. Remember that this is not just about them deciding if they like you, you are also deciding if this is a good fit.

4. Only if you need to refresh your memory on these. They will have already had access to your application materials.

Hilary, wow: thank you so much. I will put your advice into practice. Sounds...well, sound. Should I ask the professor who emailed me about who will be interviewing me?

[coonskee]

I brought my CV just in case for my interview. None of the profs needed it (they had the files on their computer) but I felt better having it just in case!

[CarlieE]

I made bullet pointed notes regarding my research plans - just to remind me of finer points. It did come in handy. I also used that same sheet to note down questions I had about the program and used it during the interview to write down answers to those questions.

I did actually partially show my notes to one of the professors I interviewed with and he seemed impressed that I brought notes.

I got accepted so whatever I did "worked' lol

[Aztecson23]

I made bullet pointed notes regarding my research plans - just to remind me of finer points. It did come in handy. I also used that same sheet to note down questions I had about the program and used it during the interview to write down answers to those questions.

I did actually partially show my notes to one of the professors I interviewed with and he seemed impressed that I brought notes.

I got accepted so whatever I did "worked' lol

And I will follow suit. Thank you, Anthro!

[Aztecson23]

I brought my CV just in case for my interview. None of the profs needed it (they had the files on their computer) but I felt better having it just in case!

Gracias. I think I'll bring mine too. Just in case...

[anonyouknow]

Read up on some common interview questions too, it never hurts to be prepared for the expected. The most common question I've had through my last round of applications and the one interview so far this round was "Why do you want to attend ______ specifically". Make sure you have an absolute zinger for this, it's definitely going to be asked.