Holy crap is this an "interview"???

[brandnewtothis]

I got admitted but waitlisted for funding.  I have a skype scheduled soon and I thought it was going to be general info, questions about the program, etc.

 

I don't have much prepared.

 

Someone else just told me this is my interview to get off the waitlist.  Is that true?  And did I just screw myself by not prepping?

[stephchristine0]

Yes it's an interview! Just be yourself. Prepare. Read the POIs research publications, their interests. Focus on what you know and if you really want to go there, you'll know it during the interview. 

[Cesare]

Reread your SOP! If you mentioned any papers you have written just reread/skim over them. You never know if they will ask you a question about it. 

[PoliSwede]

I hope it goes well!

[brandnewtothis]

oh crap. well this is a disaster. I am stuck at work all day with zero time...

[Guest hopefulfool]

oh crap. well this is a disaster. I am stuck at work all day with zero time...

Not a disaster. You can do it! I just had a skype interview and I really over prepared for it. In fact, I think an interview can be managed without much preparation. I could have done without 90% of what I prepared for.

As it is a skype interview make sure whatever is in the background is something that you would not be embarrassed about. I actually moved my book case so that it would be behind me. Coming off as a nerd to nerds is never a bad thing and I think it helped because it at least made me more relaxed because I was able to control for factors such as background.

I agree that knowing your previous work is important as well as the writing sample you turned in (although none of this came up in my interview, each interview is unique), but as "fit" is important you should be able to tie in your work/interests with the faculty. From my recent experience, they were less interested in my past work, but how I would work with them. One question that I was asked was "would you actually listen to me if I told you to do something different?" A very odd question that I was slightly offended by, but nobody wants to advise a student who goes off and does whatever they want. Although I personally think listening to your advisor about every single last detail is not always a good thing, I definitely did not tell them that.

The best thing you can do is stay calm and be confident! You've got this! Good Luck!

Edited March 16, 2013 by hopefulfool

[brandnewtothis]

Not a disaster. You can do it! I just had a skype interview and I really over prepared for it. In fact, I think an interview can be managed without much preparation. I could have done without 90% of what I prepared for.

As it is a skype interview make sure whatever is in the background is something that you would not be embarrassed about. I actually moved my book case so that it would be behind me. Coming off as a nerd to nerds is never a bad thing and I think it helped because it at least made me more relaxed because I was able to control for factors such as background.

I agree that knowing your previous work is important as well as the writing sample you turned in (although none of this came up in my interview, each interview is unique), but as "fit" is important you should be able to tie in your work/interests with the faculty. From my recent experience, they were less interested in my past work, but how I would work with them. One question that I was asked was "would you actually listen to me if I told you to do something different?" A very odd question that I was slightly offended by, but nobody wants to advise a student who goes off and does whatever they want. Although I personally think listening to your advisor about every single last detail is not always a good thing, I definitely did not tell them that.

The best thing you can do is stay calm and be confident! You've got this! Good Luck!

Thank you all so much!

I have a few hours tonight and a few tomorrow morning to prepare. Any more tips? What do they usually ask about (interests, professors, weaknesses, what?)?

[Guest hopefulfool]

Thank you all so much!

I have a few hours tonight and a few tomorrow morning to prepare. Any more tips? What do they usually ask about (interests, professors, weaknesses, what?)?

My particular situation is kind of unique, so you can pm if you want and I can give you a more detailed overview of what I went through and apply what I experienced/learned to your situation. However, the questions they asked me that could be applied in almost any situation regarding funding/admissions are the following:

Why this school?

Why a PhD at this time?

What do you want to do after receiving your PhD (think tanks, academia, etc.)?

Are you aware of the job market?

How do you feel about teaching classes?

Are you aware of the program structure? 

 

My POI then asked if I was aware that some of things that I would like to research/use are things that he doesn't even do and if I was ok with that (he is more of a qual than a quant person). If you get questions like this be flexible! I simply answered that I was fine with it and that there are other people in the department that could help me if I decide to go down the quant route, but that I am flexible and will listen to his recommendations. I did name people, so being familiar with the faculty and their interest was a bonus. 

The school I interviewed at is a theory heavy program, so there were quite a few questions about my theoretical position. However, these were more related to the specific situation I was interviewing for and would most likely not apply at the school you are interviewing at. Unless, of course, we are talking about the same school, which I doubt.

After these questions, then it was just a general FAQ about $$ for conferences, co-publishing, job placements and what they are doing to improve this, etc. 

 

Edited March 16, 2013 by hopefulfool

[Guest hopefulfool]

I should also tell you that I had post-it notes all over my wall behind my computer. It really helped me with preparation. However, I didn't use them at all because making eye contact with them (look into webcam not computer screen!) is important!

[chaetzli]

You should have a look at this thread:

[raptureonfire]

Thank you all so much!

I have a few hours tonight and a few tomorrow morning to prepare. Any more tips? What do they usually ask about (interests, professors, weaknesses, what?)?

Good luck!

[peternewman89]

I had an interview that I wasn't quite sure if it was an interview or just an informational talk (they were ambiguous in their email) so I tried to do everything I could to prepare with about 3 or 4 days notice.  Did a bunch of reading and research, but the main question that I had trouble with was answering "why here?" I didn't really have any huge strong desire to go to that school in particular, but it was a good school where I'd learn from decent people and teach smart kids.  It was just one of 13 for me, and I had a couple I had not heard from that I was really excited about. Really, if it's not too late, think of why that school in particular.

 

I ended up getting put in the top spot on the theory waitlist (I'm assuming at least) and getting offered admission a week later when they had one theory student turn them down, and that's the school I'm going to in the fall.