First interview ever!

[lindzardz]

Hey guys!

So, I'm a newbie (I'm sure lots of us are but I must stress I'm like realllllyyy new to all of this). Anyways, I have an interview coming p next Saturday and I need some general advice about the whole interview process.

 

1) When everyone says "Wear what makes you feel comfortable" I immediately think I want to wear some sort of fashionable (don't laugh) pant suit. Blazer, slacks, maybe not a button up but still a nice blouse under the blazer, possible flat, possibly a very toned down low heal. Am I going to be the only one in a freakin' pant suit???

 

2) I was informed that my interview will be with one faculty member (chosen at random, may or may not be my POI) and a grad student. I Was also informed not to memorize every faculty's bio and research (but I'm assuming definitely memorize my POI's info) because they just want to hear about "me." I know my area of interests (in short: trauma, community violence, resilience), but I don't necessarily have a whole bunch of research ideas up my sleeve because, ya know, I'm not in grad school yet and I'm still working out the nuts and bolts. How important is it to have your own "research ideas" figured out for interview day? Do you recommend thinking of a few in case they ask? I'm assuming yes, but I also don't want to just make things up...

 

3) I'm 1/4 Mexican...technically minority status and this program offers 3 full tuition remissions for minorities...Unfortunately, I have a complicated relationship with this status because my grandmother immigrated into the US from Mexico during world war II and basically was ashamed of being Mexican and essentially pretended to have zero connection to her culture. It's complicated- we would often go to Mexican markets where she would speak Spanish with all her friends, go home and whip up some awesome chilaquiles, then when  I needed help with my Spanish homework she would literally PRETEND to not know how to speak Spanish...lots of secrecy, a lot of lying, and a lot of shame in my family because of my grandmother's background (which clearly, I'm not ashamed of). The point of this way to long story: the program really wants a truly culturally diverse program. I appear very caucasian, I have a complicated history with my culture and haven't truly been allowed to embrace this side of me...however, I am committed to working with cultural and ethnic minorities. I want to prove this with my own connections and experiences but can't seem to create a good narrative around it...any ideas????

 

4) OMG I'm freaking out about this interview....tips for that too???

 

THANKS!

[Linelei]

Hi, and congrats! I don't know that I'm qualified to answer your questions, but I figured I'd give you another point of view.

 

1. I think it depends on where you are interviewing. At some West Coast schools the dress is generally business casual, emphasis on casual, so a truly formal pant suit might stick out. But elsewhere that may be the norm. I'd bring some accessories that make it more casual, like a colorful scarf or fun jewelry. That way you have options if you get a casual vibe from the place.

 

2. I would know everyone's general research interests, but that's it (except of course your POI). It seems most places have short interviews and it's really just a chance for them to get the feel of who you are and your motivations. I have yet to be grilled, although I hear that happens occasionally, but it sounds as though your program is trying to put you at ease on that front. And I wouldn't worry about specific research ideas, but perhaps put some thought into a particular research direction within your interests you would like to explore early on in grad school.

 

3. Seems to me your energy is best spent in finding that clear narrative about your heritage, rather than on memorizing profs' interests or coming up with research ideas. The fact that your family was ashamed but you are not could be a good direction. Why aren't you ashamed of your heritage? What was different for you that allowed you to accept it instead of hide it? I'd focus on that instead of trying to explain that it's complicated.

 

4. What helped me to stay calm was to come up with a massive list of questions to ask everyone else. That helped me keep in mind that I was interviewing them, too, to see if the program would be a good match for me. Everyone loves to talk about themselves and their research, so any time there was a lull in a conversation, I could pull out a question and get things going again. Plus it looks good when you show initiative and interest.

[lindzardz]

Thank you so much Linelei! I really appreciate your thoughtful answers! They truly helped put me at ease and have given me some great ideas of preparing for this weekend! All the best!

[42ed]

Hi lindzardz, congratulations!!! I would just add that, though you don't need to have a research question figured out, I would still just browse some current abstracts related to your topics of interest if you haven't already done so. You wanna be able to talk about what interests you and why and the "nuts and bolts" are what they want to see/hear I.e feel free to think out loud!! Good luck

[Linelei]

No problem! And that is definitely good advice from 42ed.

[lindzardz]

Thanks 42ed and Linelei for the wonderful advice! I have definitely done some reading of articles and abstracts and will continue to do so until interview time just to get the "WHY" of why I want to study what I want to study figured out...It's surprisingly harder to answer this question than I thought! For so long, I knew what I wanted to do (go to grad school for a phd in clinical psych) and have been doing everyting to prepare myself to apply but found I have in some ways lost touch of the "WHY"!? But I'm back on track and have really started to prepare some insightful responses that really get to the core of what I want to study and why...thanks for the well wishes! Best of luck to you both!