Interview Question.

[YoungScientist94]

Hi everybody,

 

Been lurking here the past few months and am getting nervous about upcoming interviews. My first interview is coming up this week and there was one specific thing I was curious/worried about. I applied to Biology Ph.D. programs.

 

I am fairly young for my current academic position (graduating in May from undergrad) and have not yet turned 21. Based on the description of the interview which is coming up this weekend (informal dinners at professors houses, day with current grad students) it seems as though adult beverages will likely be consumed by those of age (I'm assuming that there may be some with dinner and that grad students will most likely want to take us out for beers after showing us around).

 

I don't want to be known as "the baby who can't drink yet", or for my young age to cause professors to think less of me or perhaps think that I should spend more time in the field before pursuing a PhD. Any advice or tips for my situation? I just see the  jokes and laughter behind my back after all the other students/applicants aren't able to go to a bar at the end of the weekend because I'm not of age. What should I do?

 

 

[elanorci]

Are you sure the bars that you'll be going to require an ID to enter? Many bars (at least around here) only need to see ID if you actually order an alcoholic beverages. Maybe you'll luck out and have this be the case? And if drinks are served in some other setting, like at someone's house, you could just politely decline - lots of people don't drink for various reasons.

 

Either way, I would think it wouldn't be a big deal -- if they're interviewing you, they presumably think that you're mature enough to get the position. I know it's an awkward situation, though :/ Hope it works out for you! 

Edited January 28, 2014 by elanorci

[Monochrome Spring]

So, I am also under 21. You should make a point when emailing your interview coordinator to mention that you are underage. Any larger group events will then be arranged such that you can also attend. If you can't drink when others are drinking, you can't drink. Let your research ideas talk for you, and disregard anyone who would judge you for being underage.

Edited January 28, 2014 by Monochrome Spring

[thegirldetective]

Contact the program coordinator (or whoever seems to be organizing the interview itinerary) and tell them this. They can then tell the grad students not to go to places that ID at the door, and it diffuses the awkward of you personally needing to tell the grad students as y'all are on your way out the door.

 

If you're at a faculty member's house, a simple "I'm fine with water, thanks!" should suffice. I doubt anyone will give it a second thought.

 

Also, I would try to banish the "I'm a baby who's too young to drink" mindset and cultivate the "I am smart and have my shit together, as evidenced by the fact that I graduated early" mindset

[BostonBio153]

I wouldn't worry too much about it. At the interviews I've gone to, there were a few people under 21 and it didn't seem to be a problem.

 

I agree with others in that you should contact the person organizing the weekend and let them know. Usually they have activities where you wouldn't need an ID to get in.

 

Also, I doubt that the grad students, fellow applicants, or professors will care at all if you drink/are underage. And if they make jokes and laugh behind your back (which is very unlikely), then that's not a school you'd want to be at anyway!

 

The bottom line is that your interactions with the current grad students in the program has virtually zero influence whatsoever on your application. The only part of the interview weekend that has any bearing on the school's decision to admit you is your interviews with faculty. I know plenty of graduate students who didn't go out to bars during interview weekends and got admitted to programs.

[YoungScientist94]

So, I am also under 21. You should make a point when emailing your interview coordinator to mention that you are underage. Any larger group events will then be arranged such that you can also attend. If you can't drink when others are drinking, you can't drink. Let your research ideas talk for you, and disregard anyone who would judge you for being underage.

Thanks. Good to know I'm not the only one in this boat. I hadn't considered emailing the interview coordinator. I guess I didn't want to make them change their plans specifically for me. Hopefully I don't ruin anyone's fun!

[NeuroGirl042]

I'm not under 21, and opted not to go to the bar or drink alcohol at the faculty dinner during my interview weekend. There were plenty of other people doing the same - no one even noticed. Just do what you know is correct and you are most comfortable with, and you will be fine. Alcohol is always optional (even for those of us over 21) and there is usually an alternative event to going to the bar. The bar is an optional event with no faculty attending, regardless =) 

[ERR_Alpha]

Hi everybody,

Been lurking here the past few months and am getting nervous about upcoming interviews. My first interview is coming up this week and there was one specific thing I was curious/worried about. I applied to Biology Ph.D. programs.

I am fairly young for my current academic position (graduating in May from undergrad) and have not yet turned 21. Based on the description of the interview which is coming up this weekend (informal dinners at professors houses, day with current grad students) it seems as though adult beverages will likely be consumed by those of age (I'm assuming that there may be some with dinner and that grad students will most likely want to take us out for beers after showing us around).

I don't want to be known as "the baby who can't drink yet", or for my young age to cause professors to think less of me or perhaps think that I should spend more time in the field before pursuing a PhD. Any advice or tips for my situation? I just see the jokes and laughter behind my back after all the other students/applicants aren't able to go to a bar at the end of the weekend because I'm not of age. What should I do?

When I was at Penn State for my interview I was underage. Their campus is dry so none of the big group events on campus had alcohol. When we went to dinner, I just ordered soda instead. They invited us all to the bar and I told them. Yeah, I got some "are you one of those prodigies?" (No, in NY you can go to kindergarten at age 4...) but overall no one seemed to mind. I just hung out with the other people who went back to the hotel instead of going to a bar.