Getting Into Graduate School: The Admissions Interview Melissa Lugo Sean Cronin

What is the Purpose of the Admissions Interview? The Interview gives admission committees an opportunity to meet candidates and see the people behind the GPAs & GRE’s scores The Interview gives admission committees an opportunity to meet candidates and see the people behind the GPAs & GRE’s scores Gives them a chance to see you react under pressure, and assess your verbal and non verbal communication Gives them a chance to see you react under pressure, and assess your verbal and non verbal communication Ranges from half an hour with one or two faculty members to a full day or more with meeting students and faculty Ranges from half an hour with one or two faculty members to a full day or more with meeting students and faculty Activities might range from small group discussions to larger group interviews and even social hours or parties Activities might range from small group discussions to larger group interviews and even social hours or parties

How do you prepare for the Interview? Learn as much about the program as possible Learn as much about the program as possible Review the program’s description, department Web site, and faculty Web sites. Review the program’s description, department Web site, and faculty Web sites. Understand the program’s importance Understand the program’s importance Be aware of the faculty’s research interests. Be aware of the faculty’s research interests.

Common Interview Questions You Must be Prepared to Answer! Why are you interested in our programs? Why are you interested in our programs? What do you know about our programs? What do you know about our programs? What are your career goals? What are your career goals? Why did you choose a career in psychology? Why did you choose a career in psychology? What are your research interests? Experiences? What are your research interests? Experiences? What are your strengths and weaknesses? What are your strengths and weaknesses? What are your academic strengths? Favorite course & why? What are your academic strengths? Favorite course & why? What do you like best about yourself? What do you like best about yourself? Who would you like to work with? Why? Who would you like to work with? Why? Describe the accomplishment you’re most proud of. Describe the accomplishment you’re most proud of. What would be the topic of your research project? What would be the topic of your research project? Discuss your experiences in clinical settings. Discuss your experiences in clinical settings. Tell us about yourself Tell us about yourself

Do’s & Don’ts Don’t memorize answers Don’t memorize answers Do a few practice interviews with family, friends or in front of the mirror Do a few practice interviews with family, friends or in front of the mirror Don’t forget to ask questions Don’t forget to ask questions Prepare some thoughtful questions about the program, faculty and students Prepare some thoughtful questions about the program, faculty and students Don’t chew gum! Don’t chew gum! Don’t accept a beverage if offered to you If you are feeling nervous Don’t accept a beverage if offered to you If you are feeling nervous Do maintain eye contact with the interviewer Do maintain eye contact with the interviewer Don’t trash your current or previous academic institutions and their instructors. Don’t trash your current or previous academic institutions and their instructors. Do smile when appropriate and remain alert without appearing too tense Do smile when appropriate and remain alert without appearing too tense Don’t try to show off Don’t try to show off Don’t ever look at your watch Don’t ever look at your watch Cell Phones OFF or on silent Cell Phones OFF or on silent

What Should I Wear? Physical Appearance, including both attire and grooming, will influence perceptions made about you Physical Appearance, including both attire and grooming, will influence perceptions made about you Plan your interview outfit, try it on, be sure its clean and it fits. Plan your interview outfit, try it on, be sure its clean and it fits. Men Men –A sport coat, slacks, a shirt and tie or a sweater –Dressy Shoes –Longer hair and a beard or moustache require special care to ensure a well groomed look. Woman - Attractive but professional attire, such as a business suit or tailored dress with sensible shoes - Easy on the makeup ladies Suggestion: Cover any tattoos and remove jewelry from any piercing located anywhere other than the ears

Being Accepted Being Accepted Congratulations! Congratulations! Your decision on whether to accept is due by April 15 Your decision on whether to accept is due by April 15 Do not hold on to offers, if you do not plan on accepting Do not hold on to offers, if you do not plan on accepting Each time you receive a new offer, decline your least preferred offer Each time you receive a new offer, decline your least preferred offer Consider your priorities, know what your accepting Consider your priorities, know what your accepting –Financial aid, housing, assistantships  Don’t be afraid to do some negotiating, because they’ve decided they want you.  Help them make it possible for you to accept by explaining any financial limitations that might stop you from accepting their offer.

Dealing with Rejection  Allow yourself to feel upset, acknowledge your feelings, and then move forward Allow yourself to feel upset, acknowledge your feelings, and then move forward Reassess your goals, Don’t give up! Reassess your goals, Don’t give up! Questions to ask yourself: Questions to ask yourself: –Did you select schools carefully? –Did you apply to enough programs? –Did you complete all parts of each application? –Did you spend enough time on your essays? –Did you have research experience? –Did you have field experience? –Did you know your referees well, and did they have something to write about? –Were most of your applications to highly competitive programs?

WEB Resources Graduate and Professional School Admissions Graduate and Professional School Admissions  Overviews and Timetables

References Kuther, Tara (2003). The Psychology Majors Handbook. Canada,Thomson Wadsworth. Pgs Kuther, Tara (2003). The Psychology Majors Handbook. Canada,Thomson Wadsworth. Pgs Spiegel, Patricia (2000). The Complete Guide to Graduate School Admission Psychology, Counseling and Related Professions. New Jersey, Lawrence Associates. Spiegel, Patricia (2000). The Complete Guide to Graduate School Admission Psychology, Counseling and Related Professions. New Jersey, Lawrence Associates.