NIH Graduate Partnership Program Interviews: Looking for advice

[Molecular_Virology]

Hi everyone,

 

I will be interviewing next month for the Graduate Partnership Program and I am hoping that someone has experience with the interview process and potentially the program. There are a few questions below, but I am completely open to general advice as well.

 

How many people interviewed? From this set, what do you estimate the post-interview acceptance rate is?

 

What questions were you asked?

 

What did you like about the experience? Were other candidates friendly or was it a competitive atmosphere?

 

How has your experience differed in this program, as opposed to other graduate students?

 

 

 

Thank you for your time.

 

[agalaapple]

I interviewed two years ago with the GW GPP.

 

Approximately 5 people interviewed for the GW GPP; however, other GPP programs (such as JHU, Boston University, Georgetown, etc.) varied in their number of interviewees (anywhere from 5 to 15 interviewees per interview week). Some programs had multiple interview dates.

 

I predict that in the GW GPP program, about 2-3 of those who interviewed were ultimately accepted. I wasn't accepted.

 

Keep in mind that there are two sets of interviews, at least for the GW GPP: one set of interviews is with the Director of the program and an admissions representative (one interview with the Director and one interview with an admissions representative). The other set of "interviews" are simply meeting with NIH investigators who may potentially serve as your co-advisor. Those meetings are beneficial in that you can learn what is the latest research in three NIH labs of your choice.

 

The two real interviews were essentially the same. I remember that the Director of the program asked me about my research, my research and career goals, my below-average grades, my motivation for pursuing this particular program, etc. The Director mentioned to me that the GPA "cut-off" is 3.20, and with a GPA of 3.238 at the time, I barely made the cut.

 

I liked the interview events. I was a local applicant so I didn't stay in the Bethesda Marriott. On Day 1 you arrive at the NIH Conference Center. Everyone interviewing for all of the different GPP programs is there. They divide you up into your respective program schools. Then you get to meet the other people by doing an icebreaker. Then you get to go out to meet the NIH investigators. Then I believe it was time to eat a buffet dinner at a restaurant in downtown Bethesda. Dress nicely for the dinner. There was steak, chicken, and all sorts of amazing food. I'm a vegan now though.

 

The other candidates were very friendly. Everyone was laid-back. After the dinner, everyone headed back to the hotel in Bethesda in preparation for the interview at GW the following day.

 

The following morning we went to GW to visit some labs there and hear more information about the GW aspect of the program. Then after the morning session was finished, we all went out to a bar to have a celebratory drink. I don't drink now though.

 

This same day had a free afternoon in which everyone could explore DC on his or her own. I grew up near DC so I simply went for a run and actually ran past my ex-girlfriend who is an undergrad at GW. She didn't see me though.

 

Later that day we went out to dinner at a restaurant near the hotel. I stayed at the DC hotel that night because the program officers allowed me to do so. Everyone received his or her own hotel room.

 

I imagine that for the other schools, similar events happen, albeit one would fly up to Boston to interview at Boston University, for instance.

 

I really enjoyed the GPP interview and related events. I did a few other interviews, and the GPP interview was definitely the most fun and informative.