The Interview

[fancypants09]

Fancy pants: for a while I stressed after re-reading my writing sample too. Then I realized that an ad com that looks over hundreds of samples are not going to dwell on the little imperfections. The fact that you were contacted for an interview proves that.

 

Thanks so much for the reassurance! Much needed at this point to power me through until the interview. 

[unræd]

Statement of the obvious, but I thought it would be helpful to repeat the following for those of us prepping for interviews: Do your homework and find out as many details on your interviewers beforehand.

 

Alas, I have no idea--aside from the chair of the committee, who's not an English person--who'll be interviewing me! I'm prepping for the faculty who would likely act as supervisors on the off chance they're on the admissions committee or were pulled in for my interview, but beyond that I gots nothing.

[scribnera]

Alas, I have no idea--aside from the chair of the committee, who's not an English person--who'll be interviewing me! I'm prepping for the faculty who would likely act as supervisors on the off chance they're on the admissions committee or were pulled in for my interview, but beyond that I gots nothing.

 

I'm in the same boat, and my interviews are in a week. Thinking I should contact the department coordinator if I haven't heard anything by tomorrow. Is it standard practice for them to let you know who you'll be interviewing with ahead of time?

[fancypants09]

I just finished my Michigan interview. A few notes to share:

 

- From the questions it was clear that the interview was per the reasons I suspected (competitive but on the fence). The interview was also "formal"---a series of questions from the professors for the most part. 

 

- The professors used almost all of the allotted hour asking me about my writing sample and how it fit within extant scholarship. 

 

- There was a language question, and it was substantive, too! The professor asked if I had read any scholarship in that particular language. So be ready, non-English national lit/comp lit people! 

 

Assessment: Not feeling the greatest about my chances right now. In my nervousness, especially at the beginning, I stammered through the discussion on the theoretical aspects of my WS as well as the general description of my research project (too long winded). Just thinking about it makes me sick. 

[hypervodka]

I finished my interview as well. Thought I'd share:

 

-I had a series of one-on-one interviews, rather than a panel of area group faculty or the admissions committee.

-They told me each of the people I was meeting with beforehand. Most of them were people I mentioned in my SOP, so I was pretty familiar with their work.

-"Interview" is used very loosely. I was never interrogated. It felt more like a series of conversations, in some cases about things I mentioned in the WS or SOP, but also about pop culture and outside hobbies. My last "interview," the first thing he said was "This isn't an interview." The only question he asked me was, "What questions do you have?"

-Other people who were at this interview excursion received SOME hard-ball questions, like an Asian-American scholar was asked how she would defend her interest in Afro-American literature and another person was asked how they would present their skillset on the non-academic job market, but overall, the atmosphere was very light.

-Most interviewers made some mention of my SOP and WS, and in such a way that compels me to here emphasize how VASTLY IMPORTANT THOSE TWO DOCUMENTS ARE in the selection process. My SOP for this school was set up in such a way that I spent between a third and a half of the time talking about the research of my POIs. One POI was very appreciative, and even impressed. Another interviewer (who was one the admissions committee) also noticed, and commented how several other applicants would right SOPs that never mentioned their target university by name. Be descriptive and earnest. Make sure you re-read those documents in particular before the interview.

-I mentioned speaking French in my CV. One POI is a native French speaker (and also speaks Spanish, my two languages)--she mentioned my languages, but none of our conversation took place in either, except in reference to the titles of works of literature.

[scribnera]

Thanks to both of you for reporting back!

 

hypervodka: I saw you mentioned on another thread that your interview was at Emory - is that right? You were interviewing for the English program? Just asking because my interview is there also (for comp lit), so I'm hoping that means our experiences will be similar. Although they might be more likely to ask about language proficiency for comp lit.

[hypervodka]

Yes, I interviewed for Emory!

 

Yours is spread over multiple days as well, right? I did meet a couple of comp lit professors while I was there--there's not a lot of official departmental overlap imo, but I think it'd probably be similar. Thing is, though, my understanding is that the lit department changed their interview strategy very drastically this year. In past years you 1) met with a four- or three-person panel of the members of the adcomm, 2) met with one graduate student, and 3) met with one POI in your area group. Instead, I had like 7 different interviews, all scheduled for thrity minutes (though several went way over with chit-chat), all one-on-one.

 

Either way it goes, my experience at Emory was really more FUN than anything. I didn't have access to the internet the whole time I was there (wonky phone) and I was somehow still happy. They're not trying to trap you. This is really a recruitment week. They want you to be happy while you're there, not stressed, because they do want you to come back.

Edited January 31, 2015 by hypervodka

[__________________________]

hypervodka, though my interview was a very different format (skype, just two profs at once), what you say is very relevant to my experience. SOP and WS were the focus, and email correspondences I'd had with them came in to play at times as well. the only discussion of language was them telling me what resources I'd have for further study (though the interview was for English, language prep is important for anyone trying to do medieval studies). My WS dealt heavily with translation and translation issues though, so perhaps because of that they felt no need to "test" me. But I too never felt interrogated, even if they had specific things they wanted to ask me.

But yeah, can't stress the SOP and WS thing enough. Even if it's painful, it really is worth going over those two things again. When it's been almost two months since you submitted your materials, it helps to know what you can casually mention to "update" their knowledge of you and to know what they're working with so you can address their questions, etc. Best way to know how they see you is to go over the two biggest things they have to work off of when getting to know you on paper.

Edited January 31, 2015 by mollifiedmolloy

[hypervodka]

And yeah, I think you should prepare for them to ask you to demonstrate your familiarity with the language somehow. I talked about my familial background and my travels, which "saved" me from more direct performances, if that makes sense. I don't think they will make you speak any non-English language (because there's no way to ask that question without being weird and, frankly, speaking ability isn't nearly as important as language literacy and therefore prove little), but they'll ask you to prove it in other ways.

[fancypants09]

Thanks to both of you for reporting back!

 

hypervodka: I saw you mentioned on another thread that your interview was at Emory - is that right? You were interviewing for the English program? Just asking because my interview is there also (for comp lit), so I'm hoping that means our experiences will be similar. Although they might be more likely to ask about language proficiency for comp lit.

I would also add that I was asked why I chose to apply to a national lit department rather than the comp lit department, so comp lit folks may want to think about the reverse question in prepping for your interview. I think it's also a good question to ask professors to gauge their approaches to scholarship.

[scribnera]

Awesome. Thanks for the input, everyone.

 

I got a more detailed itinerary yesterday, and I'm also doing 7 short interviews with lots of different professors. I noticed that they have me scheduled to speak to a professor who is fluent in one the two languages I know but not with any professor that is fluent in the other. I'm assuming that if they were planning on testing me in these interviews, they wouldn't have done that. I do have the coursework and travel to back up my claims, I just don't know if I could have a spur of the moment conversation in Russian, as I haven't had a reason to speak it in a while. But you're right, hypervodka, that reading and writing are much more important for their purposes anyway.

 

Very, very glad to hear that you found the experience fun. I could definitely enjoy talking about my academic passions for hours. Starting to look forward to it!

[hypervodka]

email correspondences I'd had with them came in to play at times as well.

 

Oh, you're right! For example, I've talked about this before, but I changed my writing sample fairly drastically, and emailed all of the graduate directors to update my application. In my interview with him, the DGS wanted to know specifics about what had changed.

 

Basically, just remember everything that they know about you, because that's the sole inspiration for all of their questions.

[omensetter]

Yep, most of this is consistent with my interview as well. Like mollifiedmolloy, mine was a Skype interview. My interviewers spoke in general terms about my application, then asked me to kind of summarise my research for them. They asked about my plans for future research in quite specific terms -- e.g. texts I might want to work with -- but certainly didn't seem to be expecting any kind of defined dissertation project (which was a relief!). They also asked me to explain a specific phrase from my SOP; like everyone else, I would make sure that going in, you know your materials really well, and can clarify things as needed. Quite a bit of my interview was dedicated to my questions. I'd strongly suggest preparing some decent questions for this aspect of the interview, especially because it's the only part one has any real control over. The questions that one's likely to ask after admission are, to my mind, quite different to pre-admission questions, so perhaps have some questions that aren't answerable with facts -- conversational questions, I guess I mean -- ready to hand. 

[Katla]

Argh, I know most of us probably aren't very rational or objective about these things but had anyone else come out of an interview feeling like they made a complete muddle of everything? The circumstances before the interview weren't great because I'd been away without access to my aplication material and other things necessary to prepare will for an important meeting like that so I have this dreadful feeling I came off as unprepared, ignorant and like I didn't care much for the programme in question. Argh!!!!

[LCB]

So, I have a question for a different kind of interview... I've been asked to interview for a fellowship, not for a position at the school. I don't need to worry about being accepted, it's for a better position if/when I get there. From my interactions with the person who will be interviewing me, I suspect that this interview will be more casual than some others' experiences, but I obviously still want to make a good impression because I'd love to have the fellowship. Any advice or others who are in a similar position? (It'll be an on-campus interview, fyi.)

[fancypants09]

Argh, I know most of us probably aren't very rational or objective about these things but had anyone else come out of an interview feeling like they made a complete muddle of everything? The circumstances before the interview weren't great because I'd been away without access to my aplication material and other things necessary to prepare will for an important meeting like that so I have this dreadful feeling I came off as unprepared, ignorant and like I didn't care much for the programme in question. Argh!!!!

I so feel you on this one, this is exactly how I felt after my Michigan interview. First, you probably didn't do as badly as you think you did, seriously. Second, one of the things I did to put my mind at ease---I wrote a follow-up to the question that I thought I had completely bombed (for me, it was on the theoretical crux of my writing sample) in my thank you emails to my interviewers. I don't think the follow-up had much impact on the faculty's impressions of me or the result (they were super sweet and full of praises though I didn't get in for fit purposes), but it helped me clear my mind about my research and to keep the conversation going. Hope this helps

[hypervodka]

So, I have a question for a different kind of interview... I've been asked to interview for a fellowship, not for a position at the school. I don't need to worry about being accepted, it's for a better position if/when I get there. From my interactions with the person who will be interviewing me, I suspect that this interview will be more casual than some others' experiences, but I obviously still want to make a good impression because I'd love to have the fellowship. Any advice or others who are in a similar position? (It'll be an on-campus interview, fyi.)

 

Stay calm. Be charming. Those are the two most important things you can do. Do not get nervous, or, in any case, don' expose that nervousness to your interviewer. I tried my best to get in this headspace where I was interviewing with an old friend--a good buddy who's asking me about my research not to trip me up or quiz me, but because they're genuinely curious and haven't talked to me in a while and we're just catching up before he launches into the story of his new-found gluten allergy.

 

Just remember how much you would love to have this fellowship, how much you would love to go to this school, and be very sure to make every answer spring from this desperate love for this fellowship and this school. Keep in mind why you deserve this fellowship (financial constraints, groundbreaking research).

 

You will not be asked any questions you're unprepared for. You just need to remind your interviewer why you've been accepted to the university. You'll be completely fine.

[Katla]

I so feel you on this one, this is exactly how I felt after my Michigan interview. First, you probably didn't do as badly as you think you did, seriously. Second, one of the things I did to put my mind at ease---I wrote a follow-up to the question that I thought I had completely bombed (for me, it was on the theoretical crux of my writing sample) in my thank you emails to my interviewers. I don't think the follow-up had much impact on the faculty's impressions of me or the result (they were super sweet and full of praises though I didn't get in for fit purposes), but it helped me clear my mind about my research and to keep the conversation going. Hope this helps

Thanks, it definitely does help... Though just now it felt like it was everything to do with my research that I failed to explain. As you say, whatever the outcome it can probably help me define my research better to myself at least Edited February 11, 2015 by Katla

[iwontbelyeveit]

Hi friends,

 

So I have an interview coming up on Wednesday, and I'm nervous! Nervous because this is a dream program, and because I'm afraid that I won't be nearly as articulate as I want to be. As I'm preparing, all I can see is everything I haven't read or know or considered... It's maddening! Any tips from those of you who have gone through this already? What's the best way to stay calm and sound like the best candidate ever??? Thanks!! 

[__________________________]

Hi friends,

 

So I have an interview coming up on Wednesday, and I'm nervous! Nervous because this is a dream program, and because I'm afraid that I won't be nearly as articulate as I want to be. As I'm preparing, all I can see is everything I haven't read or know or considered... It's maddening! Any tips from those of you who have gone through this already? What's the best way to stay calm and sound like the best candidate ever??? Thanks!! 

 

Relax.  You're smart.  You're awesome.  If you are getting interviewed, they just want to confirm that -- you've already done 98% of the work.  

 

I have a very short track record with this -- one interview that happened to work out quite well for me.  And I don't consider myself a good interviewer at all -- quite the opposite, actually.  I do suggest not overthinking it -- it helped me that I had just gotten done with my first day at a very scary and stressful job, so I hadn't had time to over-focus on my interview.  Read over your SOP and glance at your WS, because those are your most important materials -- if things have changed since you wrote those, this will be your chance to casually mention interesting developments in your academic life that may have happened.  They know you through those documents, which by now you've submitted a few months ago.

 

Really, try not to overthink it and get overly stressed about it.  I have a history of stage fright, so I know this is easier said than done.  But try to go into it like a friendly conversation, only with professors who share some similar interests to you.  I think it goes a long way, or at least it did for me.  Which is like, one of the TWO good interviews I've ever done, out of like, a million (for jobs and things).

[fancypants09]

Relax.  You're smart.  You're awesome.  If you are getting interviewed, they just want to confirm that -- you've already done 98% of the work.  

 

I have a very short track record with this -- one interview that happened to work out quite well for me.  And I don't consider myself a good interviewer at all -- quite the opposite, actually.  I do suggest not overthinking it -- it helped me that I had just gotten done with my first day at a very scary and stressful job, so I hadn't had time to over-focus on my interview.  Read over your SOP and glance at your WS, because those are your most important materials -- if things have changed since you wrote those, this will be your chance to casually mention interesting developments in your academic life that may have happened.  They know you through those documents, which by now you've submitted a few months ago.

 

Really, try not to overthink it and get overly stressed about it.  I have a history of stage fright, so I know this is easier said than done.  But try to go into it like a friendly conversation, only with professors who share some similar interests to you.  I think it goes a long way, or at least it did for me.  Which is like, one of the TWO good interviews I've ever done, out of like, a million (for jobs and things).

 

I would second MM's advice on knowing your SOP and WS. In my case I had a pretty intense interview---I was asked to situate my work within the context of various bodies of scholarship. As you can see from my earlier posts here, I thought I had bombed the interview but the professors wrote me very kind responses to my thank-you emails saying how much they enjoyed our conversation. 

 

If you do have time and you know the professors with whom you will be interviewing, read over their bios/CVs. In my case it gave me an insight into "fit" that I hadn't even thought about when I applied, in a good way, and made me warm up to the professors immediately. 

[__________________________]

If you do have time and you know the professors with whom you will be interviewing, read over their bios/CVs. In my case it gave me an insight into "fit" that I hadn't even thought about when I applied, in a good way, and made me warm up to the professors immediately. 

YES.  Do this.  None of these things need to take more than a few minutes.  I should have mentioned this though -- my interview was via Skype, and I was told ahead of time who the two profs interviewing me would be.  Luckily, I had had some correspondence with them and had already gotten a feel for them.  Even if you haven't done that, looking over their profiles or seeing some of the general type of work they've done can help.  They know a little about you -- it can help to know a little about them too.

[iwontbelyeveit]

Relax.  You're smart.  You're awesome.  If you are getting interviewed, they just want to confirm that -- you've already done 98% of the work.  

 

I have a very short track record with this -- one interview that happened to work out quite well for me.  And I don't consider myself a good interviewer at all -- quite the opposite, actually.  I do suggest not overthinking it -- it helped me that I had just gotten done with my first day at a very scary and stressful job, so I hadn't had time to over-focus on my interview.  Read over your SOP and glance at your WS, because those are your most important materials -- if things have changed since you wrote those, this will be your chance to casually mention interesting developments in your academic life that may have happened.  They know you through those documents, which by now you've submitted a few months ago.

 

Really, try not to overthink it and get overly stressed about it.  I have a history of stage fright, so I know this is easier said than done.  But try to go into it like a friendly conversation, only with professors who share some similar interests to you.  I think it goes a long way, or at least it did for me.  Which is like, one of the TWO good interviews I've ever done, out of like, a million (for jobs and things).

 

I would second MM's advice on knowing your SOP and WS. In my case I had a pretty intense interview---I was asked to situate my work within the context of various bodies of scholarship. As you can see from my earlier posts here, I thought I had bombed the interview but the professors wrote me very kind responses to my thank-you emails saying how much they enjoyed our conversation. 

 

If you do have time and you know the professors with whom you will be interviewing, read over their bios/CVs. In my case it gave me an insight into "fit" that I hadn't even thought about when I applied, in a good way, and made me warm up to the professors immediately. 

 

You are both amazing. Thank you! This helps so much. Also, Fancypants09, would you recommend seeing a follow-up email to my interviewers? I didn't even think of that!

[fancypants09]

You are both amazing. Thank you! This helps so much. Also, Fancypants09, would you recommend seeing a follow-up email to my interviewers? I didn't even think of that!

 

I would definitely recommend thank-you emails. In addition to the general thank-you message, I used mine to elaborate on an answer to a question I felt like I didn't to well on during the interview.

[iwontbelyeveit]

I would definitely recommend thank-you emails. In addition to the general thank-you message, I used mine to elaborate on an answer to a question I felt like I didn't to well on during the interview.

 

Thanks for all the support, friends! The interview, I think, went fairly well. There was a moment when I wish I had more knowledge/reading background to draw from, but I chalked it up to a "this is why I'm pursuing this and why I want to be here" sort of thing. They did say funding could be an issue (I know comp lit people deal with this a lot)...and I can't do it without funding. So we'll see! Waiting to hear back from 10 more schools... so I'm still hopeful, but I would love it if this program could fund me. Fingers and toes crossed.