I probably should have applied to more schools

[CactusWoman]

My advisor says my qualifications are good enough for Northwestern, but the fit is not good. I had a phone interview with them that didn't go great and I haven't heard from them since. On the other hand, U Chicago would be a great fit, but it's U Chicago! Only a third of people interviewed get in! And while I do have an interview scheduled for later this month, I'm worried I'm going to blow it

 

 

Well, it's too late to do anything now, I guess. Someone hold me and tell me everything will be ok?

[.letmeinplz//]

Yeah 2 isnt a lot. I'm nervous about only applying to eight.

Get with someone well versed in interviewing and do some mock interviews so you can be on the ball for your real one this month.

Maybe the pressure will help you shine?

[CactusWoman]

Yes, I guess all I can do is prepare for the interview. How similar would an interview for a biology program at grad school be to other, more standard business-world interviews? My mom's an expert at businessy interviews, but I don't know how much overlap there is/ what kinds of questions I should expect.

[kewz]

It might be that only 1/3 of the people get in but someone has to be part of that 1/3, no? It might as well be you.

 

I don't know about evolution/ecology -- I'm in computational genetics/genomics/biology -- but my interviews so far have been very laxing. Just dress up nicely; be happy and genuine; talk to people, make pleasant conversations; listen to faculty talk about their research, be inquisitive and ask questions without interrupting them; talk about your own work clearly and enthusiastically; and most importantly, leave a positive impression. It's really more like holding conversations than any business interview I'd imagine. Most of the time the conversation just flows naturally, instead of the sort of Q&A-style you might expect in a business interview. I've never been through any formal business/job interview, except for two part-time on-campus job interviews, and I consider myself a huge introvert; even so I felt I nailed all my interviews so far. So I'm sure you'd be fine

Edited February 2, 2015 by kewz

[iphi]

Yes, I guess all I can do is prepare for the interview. How similar would an interview for a biology program at grad school be to other, more standard business-world interviews? My mom's an expert at businessy interviews, but I don't know how much overlap there is/ what kinds of questions I should expect.

 

I think that a lot of it translates, because half of it is about how you present yourself. You need to have poise, speak articulately and know what you want to get across (and then actually get it across). Several of my grad school interviews also had the more typical questions you would find in a job interview: strengths and weaknesses, etc.

 

So practice, practice, practice. Practice with your mom, with your friends. If you're still in undergrad visit your career center and practice there. It will help immensely

 

Good luck!

[document]

Yeah I feel the same way. In retrospect there are a couple schools I really would've liked, but applications fees and personal things spooked me. :/ U Chicago is on my next go 'round list, presuming I need it.

[Catria]

2 is definitely a tiny number for PhD applications. For undergrad, however, if one made the proper choices, and depending on country, major and credentials, 2 could be just fine

[ChelceCarter]

I'm probably in the minority here, but I had only applied to one graduate program and spent a lot of time on that one application. I got in five days after the deadline with an assistantship, but like I said, I'm in a weird minority group of applicants.