Is this invitation to interview or what???

[ryancho]

Hi guys,

I got a weird email from Harvard today, and it says as the following

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Dear --------,

Thank you for your interest in the Harvard Program in Neuroscience. We are pleased to inform you that your application has passed the initial review stage, and has been selected for further consideration by the full admissions committee.

This year, we are setting up Skype conversations with a number of overseas applicants, prior to discussing their applications in the full admissions committee meeting. You are one of the applicants we would like meet in this way. The goal of these conversations is to learn more about your research and academic background, as well as your interest in our program.

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I am an international student currently residing in Seoul, Korea (went to the college and master's program in the States though). I am curious if this is same as the interview invitation, because it may be possible that they offered Skype chat as they assumed I would not be able to fly to the States for the scheduled interview weekend. I am actually willing to fly to the States. Alternatively, it may be a special stage for international applicants only...before formal invitation.

I have emailed back to the program coordinator, but haven't got anything yet. What do you guys think?

[dendy]

It sounds like a special stage for highly qualified international applicants. I doubt they would bother with this for every single international applicant so they must be really, really interested in you. It sounds like they may fly you in for an interview if this goes well. Congrats!!

[Thinker123]

This definitely sounds very good. Congratulations!

[Faraday]

I think dendy is right. I am sure they get hundreds of international applicants for a very limited number of spots and this Skype interview will help to separate out the best applicants, so look at this as a great sign that you have already stood out to them.

You've already got you're foot in the door! Good luck!

[LMac]

I think I'd be really psyched to get an email like that. It looks like you got their attention. Best of luck to you!

[ryancho]

Hi guys, I got a reply from Harvard program coordinator. You guys are right- This is not a formal interview invitation, but I am definitely on their shortlist. Stil a very good sign. Now I am going to talk with the dean of the program next monday over Skype.....very nervous!

[RandiZ]

I've applied to HGSE. After a lot of research and attending the Open House, the big thing I learned is that Harvard likes to put together personalities. If you've made it past the initial phase (separated from students throwing a "Hail Mary" pass in the form of an application to a school they are not qualified to attend) then they want to know you will fit in with others in your program and will get along with your professor(s). Find out as much as you can about the people you want to work with and read their research. Be warm and friendly, but not familiar in your interview. I was very surprised at how really nice everyone was at Harvard. Good luck!

[iloveyourneighborhood]

Ya, it sounds like an interview! Last year, I applied to Harvard Neuroscience PhD. I got my interview invitation on 13 December (it was surprisingly fast). I didn't get in in the end though.

[Craigb]

It's probably a double check on your ENGLISH proficiency, since international applicants sometimes pay others to write their essays and application materials. If you flunk the speaking and listening during a SKYPE chat, there's no sense flying all that way to provide them with the same data they are seeking.