Graduate School Interview Questions

Getting ready for a graduate school interview? Congratulations! Getting an interview is a significant step towards winning acceptance to the graduate program of your dreams. What questions can you expect?

• Tell me about yourself.
• What are your strengths and weaknesses?
• If you're not accepted into graduate school, what are your plans?
• Why did you choose this career?
• What do you know about our program?
• Why did you choose to apply to our program?
• What other schools are you considering?
• In what ways have your previous experience prepared you for graduate study in our program?
• Any questions?
• What do you believe your greatest challenge will be if you are accepted into this program?
• In college, what courses did you enjoy the most? The least? Why?
• Describe any research project you've worked on. What was the purpose of the project and what was your role in the project?
• How would your professors describe you?
• How will you be able to make a contribution to this field?
• What are your hobbies?
• Explain a situation in which you had a conflict and how you resolved it. What would you do differently? Why?
• Describe your greatest accomplishment.
• Tell me about your experience in this field. What was challenging? What was your contribution?
• What are your career goals? How will this program help you achieve your goals?
• How do you intend to finance your education?
• What skills do you bring to the program? How will you help your mentor in his or her research?
• Are you motivated? Explain and provide examples.
• Why should we take you and not someone else?
• What do you plan to specialize in?
• What do you do in your spare time?
• What can be determined about an applicant at an interview?