Graduate School Bound
Program
Module #6 Enrichment & Experience
Presented by:
Amanda Carpenter, M.S.
Coordinator for Career Development Services &
Henry L. “Hank” Lacayo Institute Internship Program
Graduate School Bound
Program Objectives
• To provide undergraduate CI students
with assistance in the exploration and
preparation process for graduate school
through a series of online self-guided
modules
• To connect undergraduate CI students
with the resources provided by Career
Development Services
Module #6 Learning Objectives
1. To identify a strategy to implement during a
graduate school mock interview.
2. To outline a preparation technique to get
ready for a graduate school interview.
3. To list goals to strengthen your skills to be a
competitive applicant to a graduate program.
Agenda
• Graduate School Interviews Overview
• Mock Interview Practice
• Strategies for Becoming a Competitive
Applicant
• Goal Setting Activity
Graduate School Interview
Invitations for Finalists:
• Not all graduate programs interview, but be prepared for the possibility.
First, if you're asked to interview, congratulate yourself! Only applicants
who have made it to the short list of finalists are asked to interview, as
interviews are time consuming and costly.
• The purpose of the interview is to
– allow members of the department to meet you in-person to assess
your ability to succeed in graduate school.
– Evaluate your success in the profession, like maturity, interpersonal
skills, interest, and motivation. How well do you express yourself,
manage stress, and think on your feet?
• It is an opportunity for you to see the facilities and ask questions
Remember: This is your interview too! You have the chance to learn about the
school, program, faculty, and students to determine if it's the right match for you.
During the interview, you should be evaluating the program just as they are
evaluating you.
What to Expect
• Time Frame: Interviews vary depending on the program. Some
will request to meet for half of an hour others will be a full
weekend.
• Expenses: Almost always paid for by the applicant, it’s uncommon
for the program to pay for your travels.
• Meet Faculty: Engage in meeting with faculty members as well as
students.
• Participate: Be active in discussions, demonstrate listening skills,
but do not monopolize the conversation.
• Be Assertive: Since the interviewer may not remember your
application file, don’t expect them to remember anything about
you. Be forthcoming about your experiences, strengths, and
professional goals.
How to Prepare
• Learn about the program and faculty. Understand the
training emphasis and faculty research interests.
• Review your own interests, goals, and qualifications. Note
what things make you a good match for the program. Be
able to explain how your goals and qualifications match
what the program has to offer.
• Take the perspective of faculty members. What can you
contribute to their graduate program and research? Why
should they accept you? What skills do you bring that will
help a professor advance in his or her research?
• Anticipate questions and rehearse potential answers
• Prepare relevant questions to ask
Before the Interview
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Be prepared
Make a list of strengths, achievements, and recognitions received
Know who your audience will be
Conduct research on the school, graduate program, and faculty
before the interview
Find a list of common interview questions
Practice answering questions with friends, family, and graduate
school advisors
Rehearse Answers
Expect the unexpected questions
Be ready to answer personal and thought-provoking questions
Get plenty of rest the night before
The Day of the Interview
• Arrive early (at least 15 minutes early)
• Dress appropriately – Look neat and professional. (No Jeans, T-shirts,
shorts, etc.)
• Bring copies of your resume (or CV), papers, and/or presentations
• Be confident and sell yourself
• Be polite. Shake hands with the interviewer or anyone else you meet
during your visit.
• Address the interviewer by their title and name (e.g. Dr. Smith). Make eyecontact.
• Be alert and attentive.
• Express your ideas and thoughts in a clear, intelligent, and straightforward
manner.
• Discuss your achievements and goals
• Discuss flaws that exist on your academic record (without making
excuses).
Questions to Ask During Interview
• You should ask many questions during the graduation
admissions interview to gave information that you
need to determine the right program for you.You
will want to:
– Gather information
– Ask questions to demonstrate research
– Determine an appropriate program fit
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Graduate School Interview
Questions
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?
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?
Graduate School Interview
Questions Continued…..
• How will you be able to make a contribution to this field?
• 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?
Post Interview
• Relax
• Remember to send a thank-you note/letter or
email after the interview
• Stay Optimistic
• Use each interview experience to prepare for
future interviews
The Characteristics of a
Competitive Candidate
• Grade-point average (GPA)
– 3.0 is often the minimum, but average GPAs of graduate students are often
much higher. Some programs weigh grades in specific courses more
heavily. For example, in medical school performance in science
prerequisites counts heavily. Check with each school to ensure you meet
their minimum requirements.
• Test Scores
– Test type and score requirements vary by institutions and
program. Typically there are minimum scores you must obtain to be
considered, but again, average scores of the students in the program are
often much higher.
– Some programs place more emphasis on particular sections of the test
(for example, quantitative versus verbal). Other programs use
standardized tests to weed out uncommitted applicants. Be sure to check
each program of interest for specifics.
The Characteristics of a
Competitive Candidate Continued…
• Relevant Experience
– Experience gained through internships, fieldwork, a practicum,
volunteering, shadowing, independent studies, research, and so
forth is often a deciding factor.
• Who You Know
– References and effective networking with faculty and staff
members can sometimes move your application to the top of
the stack. Look for any opportunity to make contacts at your
home institution, at institutions of interest, and in your field of
interest.
Goal Setting Activity
• Set 3 goals to help you to become a more
competitive applicant for a graduate program.
• What are the gaps in your application? GPA,
GRE scores, practical experience, research
experience, internships, etc.?
• How can you address the gaps to be more
competitive?
Graduate School Bound
Survey
See Supplemental Document Section for Survey
Link
Questions on this Module?
Preparing for graduate school is a multi-staged
process.
Visit Career Development Services during
Drop-In Career Counseling to get your
questions answered.
Every Thursday 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Career Development Center
Bell Tower 1548
career.services@csuci.edu
(805) 437-3270