phd interview weekend

• Jan 27, 2020

PhD Interview Weekend: A guide for aspiring scientists

By Michael Whaby

First of all, if you’re here because you’ve been invited to interview for a PhD program: Congratulations! If otherwise, then I hope to offer some useful information to any considering or currently applying to graduate school. Last year, I applied to five and was invited to interview for four different PhD programs—three were biomedical science programs; one was a systems biology program. Each interview weekend had its own little twists, but they all essentially contained the same events on the schedule.

I’m going to try to guide you through some of the inevitably awkward dinners and other social interactions that will likely take place during the interview weekends. I am also going to help you see into the future to imagine what the interactions with interviewers might be like. From my experience, there are definitely some mainstream topics to expect talking about with each interviewer. By the end, you should be supplied with an arsenal of general information about what to expect for the PhD interview weekend.

( The bottom of the page contains a General PhD Interview Weekend Itinerary . This is just one example of how an interview weekend can be structured.)

Talking through the awkward

During one interview weekend, after a morning introduction from the Dean, all of the faculty and students were gathered in one big room. After the faculty introduced themselves to the students, the students were to walk around the room and talk to those faculty members about their research. By far, this was the most awkward event that occurred during any of the interview weekends. The goal was to introduce yourself, talk quickly about research, then, finally, end the conversation and move on to the next faculty member. Kind of like researcher–student speed dating; more so just a really weird form of forced communication.

Traditionally, there are poster sessions held where students walk around and stop at posters that interest them—sometimes they even offer beer or wine to enjoy as you walk around and conversate with faculty members and current graduate students. In my opinion, the poster sessions are a much less awkward style of meeting faculty and talking about research. Also, if you’ve properly prepared for your application to that program, then you might even run into faculty whose research enticed you to apply there in the first place. Coming prepared and well-informed will make for easier, less awkward conversation.

Background information and curiosity will make for the best use of time during poster sessions. In fact, the background information will even help to boost curiosity should the topic at hand be of interest. Engage in conversation and ask questions about the research, the current students, past students, and the program itself. Remember, the interview is not just another assessment of your qualification-ness; you are also assessing if a particular program is the right fit . They want to make a good impression on you just as much as you want to for them. I denied offers from a few programs because I didn’t feel that they were good fits for me—even programs that were more “prestigious” than the one I finally chose. You ultimately should decide where you believe you will thrive.

The PhD interview weekends always include at least one faculty dinner. There is usually a dinner with current graduate students as well, but this is a rather less tense and more casual vibe than the faculty dinners. From my experience, the faculty dinners come in two flavors: they can be at a faculty member’s house...or somewhere else. If the faculty dinner with the interviewing students is at a faculty member’s house, odds are that the hosting faculty member is ballin’. The house will likely be beautiful (to me, at least). Great food, as well as beer and wine, were served at these house dinners. I’ve also attended faculty dinners in banquet halls or in a lobby with a lot of space; good food, beer and wine are also served in these settings.

Something about having a beer (or wine) really helped ease some tension and made the conversations with faculty feel more casual—especially if they were drinking too. During one interview weekend, I actually drank a whole pitcher of beer at a campus bar before leaving for the faculty dinner, where more beer was served (NOT recommended, but I actually did get into that program).

Bottom line, be yourself . You are a part of the interview weekend, which means you obviously have something in common with everyone there: a passion for science. And while the dinners might not be the best opportunity to talk about science, its a great time to gauge whether these are people that you want to learn science with and from for the next 4-6 (or 7) years of your life.

The interviews

Interviews. The most stressful part of the whole weekend. Doing well in the interviews requires some homework beforehand. You will be informed of which faculty members you will be interviewed by sometime before the interview weekend. They try to match you with faculty that you have expressed interest in meeting, but this often doesn't happen. Regardless, before going into the interview, you need to know yourself and your interviewer. That sounds ridiculous right? Of course you know yourself. And how the hell are you supposed to know someone you've never met before? (If you read this post , then you would know!) Let me clarify:

Know yourself

You are going to be asked many questions about yourself. To name a few: Why do you want to pursue a PhD? (Read about why I chose to here .) Why did you apply to this program? What are your research interests? Tell me about your previous research. Why did you suck so bad freshman year of college? Why did you drop this class? It says here in your personal statement ________________, could you explain that further?

Basically, know how to back up all of the information that they have of you from your application . Be able to explain why you sucked freshman year, and what you did to get to where you are now. Be able to show in your GPA when you started to see the impact of your hard work or new behavior. You should even have stories in your mind for each topic you touched on in your personal statement. Also, know your CV.

Lastly, be able to think and talk scientifically . If you did research, make sure you know that research. Talk to your former research mentor if you think that you need help better preparing. I put emphasis on this, because one of my interviews did not go so well because I didn't know some of the science behind the research that I did well enough. I had only one interviewer formulate a hypothetical scientific scenario, where I was challenged with a genetics-related molecular biology question. Just have your scientific thinking cap on.

Know the interviewer

I remember telling one of the professors that I had in the Biomedical Master's Program at the University of Pittsburgh that I got my first interview invitation to a PhD program. The first thing he told me was, "know your interviewers' research focuses. At least read some abstracts." He couldn't have been more right.

The overwhelming majority of time during the interviews was spent talking about the interviewers' research—whether you want to or not. This is particularly challenging when the interviewer does research that is of little interest to you, but, if any, this would be a time to act interested. If you can walk into that interview with questions about the interviewer's research, you are off to a great start.

Lastly, know the interviewer's position and role(s) in the program, and ask them questions about the program, or research, or anything that you want to know. You might find that some of them aren't prepared with talking points to cover 30-45 minutes, so you being able to contribute to the conversation and knowing a bit about who you are talking to will really help you and them.

So, that's all I have for now. There are many other great sources out there. I'd recommend checking out some blog-style articles written in Nature or Science magazines. They always have good stories told from people with a wide variety of experiences.

General PhD Interview Weekend Itinerary

Day 1 (Thursday or Friday) – usually a day to meet people and get comfortable

12:00pm Arrive somewhere on campus or at hotel and get settled in.

1:00-6:00pm Orientation, seminars and poster session.

6:00-8:00pm Dinner with faculty and/or graduate students, with beer and wine.

Day 2 (Friday or Saturday) – usually interview day

8:30am A light breakfast with other students to have something to throw up after interviews.

9:30am-10:00am First interview.

10:15am-10:45am Second interview.

11:00am-11:30am Third interview.

11:45am-12:15pm Fourth interview?

12:30pm-1:00pm Fifth interview??

1:15pm-2:30pm Lunch.

3:00pm-3:30pm Exit meeting.

4:00pm-6:30pm Relax back at the hotel, or wherever.

7:00pm-8:30pm Dinner with faculty and/or graduate students, with more beer and wine.

Day 3 (Saturday or Sunday) – usually a tour of the campus surroundings (“things to do here”)

9:30am-11:30am Tour of campus and the surrounding environment.

12:00pm-1:00pm Lunch.

1:00pm You made it. Go home.

Good luck everyone! Hope this helped.

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What to expect during interview weekend for PhD Biomedical programs

Congratulations! If you have been selected to interview at a Biomedical PhD program (e.g. Biology, Neuroscience, Biophysics) that means you were selected from a pile of hundreds of applicants. The program is willing to fly you in for interview weekend and take the time to show off its program and city. Let that act as a confidence booster, but you still have to survive interviews!

Interviewing at various PhD programs was one of my favorite memories of the PhD process, so buckle down for an overwhelming weekend filled with science-filled discussions, fun events, and meeting potentially life-long friends.

Although each graduate program has its own unique interview weekend for recruitment, I will briefly summarize the structure of the weekend, which takes place over 2-3 days.

Interview weekend breakdown

1. ~30-45 minute interviews with faculty members.

On your application you provide a list of faculty members with whom you would like to interview, and the program tries its best to accommodate your choices. Usually, one or two of your interviewers will be faculty members who are on the admission’s committee. You won’t know who it is, but sometimes if you get a wildcard interview with a principal investigator (PI) who you did not choose, that could be why.

Interviews will roughly consist of talking about your research, hearing about the faculty member’s research, and a period for questions about the program/lab. Come prepared. Know your research material well, and look up the faculty member prior to the interview, so that you are somewhat familiar with his/her work.  

2. Campus/Housing tours

Current graduate students will show you around the facilities, and student housing. During the lab tours, make sure to ask about core facilities (e.g. microscopy, behavior) if that will affect your PhD work. Depending on the city, housing could be a deal breaker, so make sure to pay attention and ask all of your questions (i.e. rent costs, housing availability, couple’s housing, % rent increases per year, how easy it is to switch apartments, etc.)

3. Faculty social events

There are usually two kinds of social events during interview weekend: events with a mix of faculty and students, and events with just students. Faculty social events are fun shift in power dynamic because eminent scientists who you look up to become completely accessible, and will often approach you to try to convince you to join the PhD program. You can also use this as a chance to talk with faculty members who you did not get a chance to interview with.

4. Graduate student social events

These are usually in the evening, and can range from karaoke to open bar events to house parties. Essentially, it’s a laid-back opportunity for you to see how you mesh with the current graduate students, and to get the ‘real scoop’ on the graduate program. This is where you can ask the basic quality of life questions—what do grad students do for fun? Is there a supermarket nearby? Are you miserable? You get the idea.

5. ‘On the town’ events

PhD programs are long (~6.5 years), so you want to make sure you are in a city that you like—that is, when you have time to break away from the bench! Interview weekends usually try to showcase the city that they are in, either with day tours of different neighborhoods, or dinners at some of the best restaurants.  Have fun, but also pay attention to the culture of the city—do you see yourself here for the next couple of years?

So now that you know what the interview process entails, how do you prepare to present your best self? For more tips, see “ How to ace interview weekend for PhD Biomedical programs .”

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Learn more about the faculty, current students and support systems offered.

After all applications have been received and reviewed by our Admissions Committee, qualified candidates are invited for one of two interview weekends hosted by PIBS.

Prior to your visit, you will have the opportunity to review and select faculty with whom you would like to meet. A complete itinerary will be sent to you prior to your visit.

Invited applicants will choose to visit us during one of the weekends below.

• Weekend 1: January 23-25, 2025
• Weekend 2: January 30 - February 1, 2025

Interviews are currently planned to be held in person, in Ann Arbor, on the dates posted above. Each Interview Weekend includes multiple individual interviews with PIBS faculty, small group activities, and meals. Travel and lodging for interview weekends are provided by PIBS. PIBS interviewees are housed two per hotel room at The Graduate Ann Arbor.

You are permitted to arrange your own accommodations, at your own expense, if you do not wish to have a PIBS roommate for the weekend.

The Interview Weekend is planned so that you have an opportunity to:

• Meet with several faculty in their labs
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How to Prepare for Your Grad School Interview Weekend

• By Rahul Patel

Being offered an interview is often the rate-limiting step of the admissions process, and the wait can be nerve-racking. As you wait to hear back from your top choice schools and programs, here are the important considerations to weigh.

Before You Accept an Interview:

• Prioritize your level of interest in each program. There could be conflicting interview dates, with some programs offering no alternates. It’s important to consider how likely you are to accept an offer from a program if an offer is made before you commit to interviewing for the program.
• Respond promptly and professionally. While the program is certainly interested in you at this point, remember: You are still a candidate in the admissions process.
• Identify a list of faculty members with whom you’re interested in interviewing. Many programs will ask you for this list ahead of time. Make sure to balance faculty members based on your current research experience and interests (it will be easier to discuss your work with someone in your current field) and future scientific interests (this will give you a glimpse into fields you’d like to explore).

Once your interview and travel schedule has been finalized, it’s time to prepare for the interviews. While the days prior to your first interview weekend may seem overwhelming, take a deep breath and remember how far you’ve made it.  Depending on the program, post-interview acceptance rates vary from 50-75 percent. 

During the Interview Weekend:

• Know which faculty members with whom you’ll be interviewing and take the time to understand their research. You’ll likely receive an itinerary before you arrive. It’s helpful to read one or two recent papers from each faculty member to give you a better picture of their lab’s focus areas. This preparation also shows you did your homework.
• Dress according to the weather. Business casual is often the standard, but if you know you’ll be walking back and forth across a large campus in snow, have appropriate attire.
• Reread your application materials. Your interviewer will likely have read your application, so their questions will primarily be derived from what you submitted. Some topics of discussion can include: how you got into science, the type of research you’ve done and what you would like to do, and why you want to earn a PhD.
• Prepare to address any areas of potential concern on your application. Voicing you’re aware of areas of improvement shows immense maturity and preparation. Though, in all likelihood, most interviewers aren’t out to get you. Rather, they just want to get to know you and your professional goals.
• Be courteous and professional, even at casual events. There will likely be informal events, like dinner with current students, for example, but remember you are still being interviewed.  

Overall, enjoy this stage of the application process. It’s a unique opportunity to spend a weekend with your potential peers and supervisors. Take the time to ask questions and interact with current members of the program to determine if this is the right fit for you.

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PhD Interview Questions and Answers (13 Questions + Answers)

Most PhD applications include an interview. This allows your university (and perhaps even your prospective supervisor) to discuss the PhD with you in more detail.

This article lists some of the most common PhD interview questions along with their answers. The goal is to help you prepare for a PhD interview and pass with flying colors.

1) How did you develop this proposal?

When responding to this question, demonstrate your thought process, research skills, and the evolution of your ideas. Let's choose the subject of "Renewable Energy Integration in Urban Planning" as an example.

Sample answer:

"My proposal on 'Renewable Energy Integration in Urban Planning' originated from my undergraduate thesis on sustainable cities. Intrigued by the potential of renewable energy in urban environments, I conducted a literature review to identify gaps in current research. This review highlighted a lack of comprehensive strategies for integrating renewable technologies at a city-wide level. I then consulted with experts in urban planning and renewable energy, which provided practical insights into the challenges and opportunities in this field. I designed a methodology that combines spatial analysis with energy modeling to explore optimal renewable energy integration in urban landscapes. This proposal represents an amalgamation of academic research, expert consultation, and innovative methodology development."

This answer is effective because it mentions a literature review demonstrates the ability to conduct thorough research and identify gaps in existing knowledge.

2) Why do you wish to pursue a PhD?

For this question, it's important to articulate your passion for the subject, your long-term career goals, and how the PhD program aligns with these aspects.

Let's choose the subject of "Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare" for this example.

"I am passionate about leveraging technology to improve healthcare outcomes, and pursuing a PhD in Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare aligns perfectly with this passion. During my Master's, I was fascinated by the potential of AI to revolutionize diagnostic processes and personalized medicine. I believe a PhD will provide me with the deep technical knowledge and research skills necessary to contribute significantly to this field. My goal is to develop AI systems that enhance medical diagnostics, ultimately improving patient care and treatment efficiency. This PhD program, known for its pioneering research in AI and strong healthcare collaborations, is the ideal environment for me to develop these innovations and achieve my career aspirations in healthcare technology."

This is a great answer because you clearly state that the PhD will provide the necessary skills and knowledge, indicating a clear understanding of the purpose of the program.

3) Why do you think you are the right candidate for this PhD program?

Discuss how your research interests align with the program's strengths and the faculty's expertise. Explain how the program's resources, courses, and research opportunities can help you achieve your academic and career goals.

"I am deeply passionate about environmental science, particularly in the area of sustainable urban development. This passion was ignited during my master's program in Environmental Studies at XYZ University, where I completed a thesis on urban green spaces and their impact on city microclimates. This research not only honed my skills in data analysis and GIS mapping but also highlighted the importance of interdisciplinary approaches to environmental issues. I am drawn to your PhD program at ABC University because of its innovative research on sustainable urban planning and the renowned work of Professor Jane Smith in this field. Her research aligns with my interest in integrating green infrastructure into urban planning to mitigate climate change effects. My perseverance, attention to detail, and ability to synthesize complex data make me an ideal candidate for this challenging program. Pursuing this PhD is integral to my goal of becoming an environmental consultant, where I plan to develop strategies for cities to reduce their environmental footprint."

This response is effective because it mentions particular aspects of your experience and the program, avoiding generic statements. It also outlines how the PhD fits into your career path.

4) What do you plan to do after you have completed your PhD?

Be specific about the type of career you aspire to, whether it's in academia, industry, research, etc. Explain how the PhD will equip you with the skills and knowledge for your chosen career path.

"After completing my PhD in Computational Neuroscience, I plan to pursue a career in academia as a university professor. My doctoral research on neural network modeling will provide a strong foundation for teaching and conducting further research in this area. I aim to develop innovative courses that bridge computer science and neuroscience, addressing the growing demand for interdisciplinary knowledge in these fields. Additionally, I intend to continue my research on applying machine learning techniques to understand brain function, which has potential implications for developing new treatments for neurological disorders. This academic pathway allows me to contribute significantly to both education and research in Computational Neuroscience."

This is a great answer because it connects the PhD research directly to future career plans.

It also articulates how your work can impact both academia and the broader field of Computational Neuroscience.

5) Why have you chosen this specific PhD program?

Mention specific aspects of the program that attracted you, such as the curriculum, research facilities, faculty expertise, or reputation.

Explain how the program aligns with your research interests or academic background.

"I chose the PhD program in Artificial Intelligence at MIT because of its cutting-edge research and interdisciplinary approach, which perfectly aligns with my academic background in computer science and my passion for machine learning. The program's emphasis on both theoretical foundations and practical applications in AI is particularly appealing. Additionally, the opportunity to work under the guidance of Professor [Name], whose work in [specific area, e.g., neural networks or AI ethics] has deeply influenced my own research interests, is a significant draw. This program is an ideal fit for me to further develop my skills and contribute to the field of AI, ultimately aiming for a career in AI research and development in the tech industry."

This answer connects your background and goals to the program's offerings.

Including a specific professor's name shows detailed knowledge about the program and faculty.

6) What impact would you like your PhD project to have?

When answering this question, convey both the academic significance and the potential real-world applications of your research. Let's choose a project focused on developing eco-friendly battery technologies for electric vehicles for this example.

"My PhD project aims to develop new eco-friendly battery technologies for electric vehicles (EVs), addressing both the environmental impact of battery production and the efficiency of energy storage. I hope my research will contribute to the academic field by advancing our understanding of sustainable materials for energy storage, potentially leading to publications and patents. Beyond academia, I envision this project significantly impacting the EV industry by providing a more sustainable and efficient battery alternative. This innovation could play a crucial role in reducing the carbon footprint of transportation and supporting global efforts towards a greener future. Ultimately, I aspire for my work to not only advance scientific knowledge but also drive real-world changes in how we approach energy sustainability in transportation."

This is an excellent answer because it connects the project to larger environmental goals and societal benefits. It also reflects a forward-thinking approach, demonstrating your understanding of the project's potential long-term implications.

7) What difficulties would you expect to encounter during this project?

It's important to demonstrate awareness of potential challenges and convey a proactive mindset toward problem-solving. Let's choose a project focused on the development of a novel AI-driven diagnostic tool for early detection of neurological diseases for this example.

"In developing an AI-driven diagnostic tool for early detection of neurological diseases, I anticipate several challenges. Firstly, the accuracy and reliability of the tool depend heavily on the quality and diversity of the data used for training the AI algorithms. Obtaining a comprehensive dataset that adequately represents the population can be difficult due to privacy concerns and data availability. Secondly, ensuring the AI model's interpretability to be clinically useful while maintaining high performance is another challenge, given the complexity of neurological diseases. To address these, I plan to collaborate with interdisciplinary teams, including data privacy experts and neurologists, to source and utilize data ethically and effectively. I also intend to continuously refine the AI model, focusing on both its predictive accuracy and clinical applicability. These challenges, while significant, present valuable opportunities for innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration."

This response is effective because it clearly outlines realistic challenges specific to the AI diagnostic tool project. It also presents a proactive approach to overcoming these challenges, showing problem-solving skills.

8) How will you fund this project?

When answering this question, show that you've thought about the financial aspects of your research and are aware of funding sources that are available and applicable to your project. 

"I have identified multiple funding sources to support my renewable energy research project at Stanford University. Firstly, I plan to apply for the DOE Office of Science Graduate Student Research (SCGSR) Program, which offers substantial support for projects focusing on sustainable energy. My proposal for this grant is already in progress, highlighting how my project aligns with the DOE's priorities in advancing clean energy technologies. Additionally, I'm exploring departmental fellowships at Stanford, particularly those aimed at renewable energy research. I am also keen on establishing industry partnerships, given the project's relevance to current energy challenges and the potential for collaborative funding and technological exchange. Last but not least, I will seek conference grants to present my research findings, which can lead to further academic collaborations and additional funding opportunities."

Notice how this answer mentions funding sources that align with the renewable energy focus of the project and the resources available at Stanford University.

9) Tell us about a time you experienced a setback

Focus on a situation relevant to your academic or research experience. Let's use a real-world example where a research experiment failed due to unexpected variables.

"During my Master’s thesis on the effects of soil composition on plant growth, I faced a major setback. My initial experiments, which involved growing plants in different soil types, failed to produce consistent results due to unanticipated environmental variations in the greenhouse. This was disheartening, especially as the deadline approached. However, I responded by reassessing my experimental setup. I consulted with my supervisor and decided to control more variables, such as humidity and temperature. I also refined my data collection methods to include more frequent soil and plant measurements. These adjustments led to more reliable results, and I successfully completed my thesis. This experience taught me the importance of adaptability in research and reinforced the value of meticulous experimental design."

This is a great answer because it shows how you’ve encountered and overcame a specific problem, demonstrating resilience and adaptability.

10) What are your strengths and weaknesses?

When answering this question, it's important to present a balanced view of yourself, showing self-awareness and a commitment to personal development. Choose strengths that are relevant to a PhD program and weaknesses that you're actively working to improve.

"One of my key strengths is my analytical thinking, which I demonstrated during my Master's project where I developed a novel algorithm for data analysis. This required me to not only understand complex theories but also apply them creatively to solve real-world problems. As for weaknesses, I sometimes struggle with overcommitment, taking on too many projects at once. This occasionally led to stress during my undergraduate studies. However, I am actively working on this by improving my time management skills and learning to prioritize tasks more effectively. I've started using project management tools and setting clear boundaries, which has already shown improvements in my workflow and stress levels."

This answer maintains a good balance between strengths and weaknesses. It also shows self-awareness, demonstrating a proactive approach to personal development.

11) Why have you chosen to study for a PhD at this university?

Mention specific aspects of the PhD program that attracted you. Explain how your research interests align with the work being done at the university.

"I am drawn to the PhD program in Astrophysics at Caltech due to its outstanding reputation in space research and the unparalleled resources available at the Owens Valley Radio Observatory. My research interest lies in the study of exoplanets, and Caltech's active projects in this area, such as the Zwicky Transient Facility, align perfectly with my academic goals. The opportunity to work under the guidance of Professor [Name], known for pioneering work in exoplanetary atmospheres, is particularly exciting. Additionally, Caltech's collaborative environment and emphasis on interdisciplinary research are conducive to my professional growth, providing a platform to engage with experts from various fields in astrophysics."

This response directly connects your research interests with ongoing projects and facilities at Caltech. It also shows you’ve done your research on faculty members and their work.

12) What can you bring to this research group?

Focus on your unique skills, experiences, and perspectives that will contribute to the research group's success. Let's choose the field of Biomedical Engineering at Johns Hopkins University for this example.

"As a prospective member of the Biomedical Engineering research group at Johns Hopkins University, I bring a unique combination of skills and experiences. My expertise in microfluidics, honed during my Master’s research, aligns well with the group’s focus on developing lab-on-a-chip devices for medical diagnostics. I have also co-authored two papers in this field, demonstrating my ability to contribute to high-impact research. Additionally, my experience in a start-up environment, where I worked on developing portable diagnostic tools, has equipped me with a practical understanding of translating research into applications. I thrive in collaborative settings, often bringing interdisciplinary insights that foster innovative problem-solving. I am excited about the prospect of contributing to the group’s ongoing projects and introducing fresh perspectives to advance our understanding and application of biomedical technology."

This response shows your relevant expertise, ability to work in a team, and the unique perspectives you can offer, positioning you as a valuable addition to the research group.

13) Do you have any questions for us?

Asking good questions demonstrates your motivation. It also shows that you’ve given some genuine consideration to the project and/or program you’re applying to.

Some questions you can ask the interviewer include:

• What will the supervision arrangements be for the project?
• What kind of training and skills sessions are offered as part of the PhD program?
• How many other PhD students has this supervisor seen to completion?
• Are there any major developments or partnerships planned for the department?
• Are there likely to be any changes to the funding arrangements for the project?
• What opportunities will I have for presenting my research?

Remember: you’re a good student, with lots of potential. You’re considering at least three years of hard work with this university. You need to know that you’ll get on with your supervisor, that your work will be appreciated and that there are good prospects for your project.

What to wear to a PhD interview

Wear formal attire for a PhD interview. Your best bet is to wear a suit. A navy blue suit is the best and most versatile option. No matter your gender, a suit is always very professional.

For men, wear a suit with a tie, dress shirt, and dress shoes. For women, wear a suit (pantsuit or skirt suit) with a blouse, or conservative dress, and closed-toe shoes.

When in doubt, it’s better to be slightly overdressed than underdressed. The goal is to make a professional impression and feel confident, without your attire distracting from the conversation.

What to expect from a PhD interview

At its core, a PhD interview will consist of questions that allow your potential supervisors to get to know you better and have an understanding of what you’d like to study, why you’ve chosen your field of study, and whether you’d be a good fit for the PhD program.

You should expect general questions to help the interviewer get a sense of your likes and dislikes, and your overall personality.

Next, expect questions about your personal motivations for studying a PhD. Your interviewer will also be interested in any relevant experience you have to qualify you to study this PhD.

In the next section, expect questions about your PhD project. You should be prepared to discuss your project idea in detail and demonstrate to the interviewer that you are the ideal candidate.

Last but not least, the interviewer will discuss your future ambitions and give you an opportunity to ask questions. Remember that this interview goes both ways.

It’s important to ask the interviewer relevant questions to show your engagement and the serious consideration you are giving their program.

You are preparing to spend several years of your life at this school. Think about what is important to you and what would make or break your decision to attend this university.

Prepare a list of questions ahead of the interview.

Understanding the interviewer’s point of view

During a PhD interview, interviewers are typically looking for a range of traits that indicate whether you are well-suited for the rigors of a doctoral program and a research career.

These traits include:

Intellectual Curiosity and Passion: A strong enthusiasm for the subject area and a desire to contribute to and expand knowledge in the field.

Research Skills and Experience: Demonstrable skills in conducting research, including designing experiments, collecting and analyzing data, and interpreting results. Prior research experience relevant to the PhD topic is often a plus.

Resilience and Perseverance: The capacity to handle setbacks and challenges, which are common in research, and to persist in the face of difficulties.

Collaboration and Teamwork: Although PhD research can be quite independent, the ability to work well with others, including advisors, faculty, and other students, is crucial.

Self-Motivation and Independence: The drive to work independently, manage one's own project, and stay motivated over the long term.

Fit with the Program: Alignment of the candidate’s research interests and goals with the strengths and focus of the PhD program and faculty.

These traits not only indicate your readiness for a PhD program but also your potential to contribute meaningfully to their field of study and succeed in a research-oriented career.

Related posts:

• University Interview Questions (16 Questions + Answers)
• Project Manager Interview Questions (14 Specific Questions + Answers)
• Strength-Based Interview Questions (21 Questions + Answers)
• Engineering Interview Questions (15 Questions + Answers)
• Business Analyst Interview Questions (17 Questions + Answers)

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Interview Weekend

Between interviews, prospective students have the opportunity to relax, chat with current students, and play games in the Homeroom. Pictured is 2015's homeroom puzzle, notorious both for its difficulty and for the fact that someone accidentally dismantled it when it was 85% complete. Photo by Neurosciences IDP Staff

I still talk with people in my cohort about our first interview weekend. For many of us, it was not just a good experience, but a special one. The interviews themselves provide the usual nerdy thrill of meeting professors at the forefront of their discipline. Stanford's weekend distinguished itself by the sheer number of events it packed into its four-day marathon. A self-guided exploration of beautiful outdoor statuary! A hike through a redwood forest to a beer garden! A fully stocked waffle bar in Russ Fernald's backyard! The weekend catered to interests I didn't even know I had. But, much like an American tourist in North Korea, I suspected that some dismal, overworked secret hid behind the happy facade. I believe I texted my mother: "This place is a fairyland. Something is wrong." After three years, I'm thankful (and, honestly, a little surprised) to find that the program is every bit as good as it seemed. Today, as then, Stanford Neuroscience constantly distinguishes itself through little details: the tents and quickdraws in the trunks of cars; the casual amity between students and professors; the wicked sense of humor that touches every formal event and occasionally takes the form of iambic pentameter. For all the fun I had at that first interview, I've enjoyed the subsequent ones even more. Interview Weekend is a festival for the entire Stanford Neuro community. Regardless of whether or not they decide the program is a good fit, I hope that visiting students enjoy their first time here as much as we did.  

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• Questions and Answers

What to expect out of interview weekends

Asked by Dart123 , January 9, 2018

With interview weekends hopefully around the corner for those applying this cycle, does anyone have any advice on what kinds of questions to ask current graduate students as well as faculty? What are good expectations to have going into one of these weekends, and what should we aim to get out of it? I'm just trying to get an idea of things to ask so that I don't miss out on crucial information which I may end up needing when it comes to making final decisions.

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Biomedicalphd.

Since you are Cellular and Molecular Biology, I think this response I wrote on the Biology forum will help:

A couple additional answers to your questions from my own experience as an interviewee and interviewer:

1. You don't have to prepare incredibly compelling questions for graduate students and faculty, just having anything is a positive in their eyes. But if you want to get a good glimpse into what they think, there are a few questions you should try to ask if appropriate.

For graduate students, you should ask about:

• Their thoughts - both positive AND negative - on the program (such as the BBS program), institution (such as Harvard), and the city (such as Cambridge/Boston)
• What they do outside of science/lab
• What opportunities are available to graduate students - this includes teaching, internships, non-traditional paths, etc.
• What a typical day in lab is like for them - this will vary student to student and lab to lab, but can be revealing about the culture at an institution
• If there is anything else they wished they had known before starting graduate school (in general or in that specific PhD program)

For faculty, you should ask about:

• What they believe the greatest strengths and weaknesses are of the institution
• The research environment at the institution - especially in regards to collaboration (a lot of PIs love to talk to about how collaborative they are/their university is)
• Specific questions about their research (if you have any)
• Their expectations for a graduate student/what an ideal graduate student is to them
• If there is anything that they can talk about other than the research that makes the program/institution unique.

If you look at graduate school interview prep websites, there will be a lot of "recommended" questions that include asking about graduation outcomes, fellowships, time to graduation, publishing, etc. It is okay to ask questions such as these, but a lot of this information will be covered in the introduction/orientation each program gives. In my opinion, you are better suited to ask questions such as those listed above.

2. The most basic biomedical PhD interview weekend is structured over 3 or 4 days:

• Thursday: Arrive + welcome dinner
• Friday and Saturday: Interviews, research talks and poster sessions, dinner with faculty one night and dinner with students another night, something fun in the city one day, and a student-hosted party or bar night
• Sunday: Departure

This gives you a lot of time to learn about science, talk to current students and faculty, get a glimpse of what the city is like, and make an impression. The actual events will vary interview to interview, but this is what the majority of major research institutions do.

3. If you talk to a lot of graduate students and faculty and are truly enthusiastic to learn about a program/institution (and science in general), you will come out of a weekend with everything you need to make a good decision. You most likely won't like every interview, but you will start to internally rank them over the course of interview season. Try to go into each interview with an open mind too!

Sorry this is so lengthy - I hope it helps though!

Some recommendations from a current student interviewer. This is just from my personal experiences interviewing and discussing with admissions committees.

1. Be prepared to answer WHY you want to do a PhD in general. If you are coming straight from undergraduate, be especially prepared to justify why you believe you are ready to enter directly into a PhD program instead of taking a year or two off.

2. Have justifications for why you applied to a specific institution and program. Being able to pinpoint specific faculty, resources, graduate outcomes, etc. all help show you are applying to a program for a particular reason and not just because it is ranked highly.

3. Be able to talk about your research clearly and concisely. If you do not know something, do not be afraid to say you do not know. I would rather have someone answer "I do not know" 10 times than try to make up an answer once. It is also helpful to be able to identify specific things you have taken away from each experience. Also, if you have multiple experiences, it is best to focus on the one you are most comfortable talking about rather than trying to give equal time to all of your research.

Above all, be enthusiastic about your own research, research in general, the program you are applying to, and pursuing a PhD. If you can talk about your research and genuinely seem excited about it, then that will come across to us and we will remember it more than if you can answer every single technical question flawlessly. It is okay if you are nervous and it is okay if you can't answer every question - it is not okay if you are just going through the motions.

4. For faculty interviews, don't worry about knowing their work inside and out. If you want, you can read a couple abstracts from their most recent papers + look at their lab websites, but anything beyond that is not expected.

5. Prepare questions! They can be general questions about graduate school, specific questions about a PIs research, etc., but do not just sit there blankly if you are asked if you have any further questions.

6. If you have a student interview in addition to faculty interviews, be forewarned that at many schools this interview will be weighted alongside your other interviews. This means you need to maintain professionalism and decorum.

7. You ARE being evaluated at all times, but 90% of the evaluation that goes into the final decision is done during the interviews. However, there are really only three things you can do that will get you immediately disqualified (and yes, I have seen each of these happen at least once): (1) Making sexist, racist, or homophobic remarks, (2) falling asleep during an interview, and (3) aggressively hitting on current students or PIs to the point of harassment. Every year, without fail, there are at least three recruits who do one of these things (usually #1 or #3) and are disqualified from consideration.

8. It is okay to drink alcohol if you are someone who likes to drink alcohol. It is okay to abstain from alcohol if you are someone who likes to abstain from alcohol. It is NOT okay to get belligerently drunk and make bigoted remarks or harass current students or other recruits. I would recommend knowing your limits and what type of drinker you are - we want you to have fun but try not to embarrass yourself. Believe it or not, we have accepted people who have gotten black out drunk and thrown up at recruitment parties, but do not put yourself into that situation.

9. Dress to impress for your interview day. A full suit is unnecessary for guys, but some nice slacks, a good button down, and a blazer will suit you well for all interviews. Gals, do not wear heels - you will seriously regret it. For the rest of the weekend, feel free to wear whatever is comfortable.

10. Have fun! All participating faculty and students go into the interview weekends trying to recruit EVERYONE. We want everyone to love our school and our program and want as many people to attend as possible. Talk to as many faculty and students as possible, be engaged, and generally look like you want to be there and you will find the biggest challenge will be deciding where you actually want to go from all of your options. Getting the interview is the hard part - we interview around 8-10% of applicants and accept around 75% of those interviewed. If you have gotten an interview, you have all the qualifications to get accepted - we just need to make sure that you look as good in person as you are on paper.

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Understanding the graduate-school interview or recruitment event

The hardest part is to get invited in the first place.

It’s the beginning of the new year, and with it comes graduate admissions time. If you are currently applying for graduate programs in the sciences, you hopefully have received or will soon receive one or more invitations to interviews or recruitment events. If you’re wondering what such an invitation means, how these events work, and how to best prepare yourself, read on.

First off, if you got invited, congratulations! You are well on your way to graduate school. For most programs, if you get invited to an interview, you have at least a 50% chance of getting admitted. Programs rarely invite more than twice the number of candidates they want to offer admission to, and frequently they plan to offer admission to nearly everybody they invite. Thus, a 50% chance of admission is actually a fairly conservative lower bound. Your chances may very well be substantially higher. 1

In fact, it’s important for you to realize that most programs are probably more worried about you not accepting their offer than you should be worried about them not making you an offer. Most graduate programs lose approximately half their candidates at the acceptance stage, i.e., the programs offer admission to twice as many students as actually end up joining the program. Therefore, you may be surprised to what an extent an interview weekend can turn into an advertising event for the school rather than an evaluation of your abilities to join the program.

However, since the recruitment event may nevertheless contain a genuine evaluation component, you’d do well to prepare yourself properly for that aspect of the event. Below follow a few suggestions.

Relax. The stakes really aren’t that high, and if you just present yourself as a normal and reasonable person chances are good you’ll get admitted. In particular, if you try to sell yourself too hard or appear overly eager you may make a worse impression than if you present yourself simply as an average prospective student. Remember, at an acceptance rate above 50%, many of the average prospective students get accepted.

Prepare for one-on-one interviews with faculty. If your program is selective, then the key action happens in one-on-one meetings with faculty members. You will probably be scheduled to meet with 3-5 different faculty members. Prepare yourself for these meetings. Figure out what the faculty members are working on and read some of their recent papers as well as some of the classic papers that made them famous. 2 Keep in mind that stuff they have published three years ago may not be something they are working on today.

• Make the faculty talk. Don’t assume you know what faculty members are interested in just because you have read some of their papers. Most active scientists are particularly excited about the work they are doing right now, or are planning to be doing next month. So, ask the faculty members what they are currently working on, what the main directions are for the lab, and for what projects they are currently recruiting students. 3

Have broad interests. You will be asked what kinds of topics you are interested in. I would recommend a broad answer to this question, such as “I’m interested in host-pathogen interactions” or “I’m interested in microbial ecology” or “I’m interested in computational systems biology.” Most faculty members who recruit graduate students will have a specific project for which they are looking for a suitable candidate, and you are unlikely to guess what exactly they have in mind. If your answer is too specific (“I want to test this particular hypothesis, using methods A, B, and C in this particular experimental framework”) you risk giving the impression that you have little flexibility to adapt to the needs and interests of the lab. Of course, if you are asked explicitly to describe a particular study you might want to carry out, then describe one in detail.

Have a clear vision. It’s important to strike a balance between having broad interests and having no focus. In general, students who know what they want and know what their strengths and weaknesses are appear more competitive. If you see yourself primarily as a computational person, say so. If you want or don’t want to work with particular model systems, say so. (E.g., saying something like “I really want to work with bacteria” or “I am not particularly interested in microbes” is perfectly fine.) If you have one or two labs you are most excited about, say so.

Express a clear interest in one or a few labs. The best strategy here depends on the type of graduate program you’re interviewing with. If the program has a rotation system, then you need to be able to list a few labs that you could rotate in, otherwise you won’t look like a good fit for the program. If the program doesn’t have a rotation system and instead admits students directly into particular labs, then it’s Ok to be focused on one particular lab, or maybe two labs. For the latter types of programs, realize however that if you want to join lab A but they don’t have a slot for you then you may not get admitted, even if lab B would have been a perfectly reasonable choice for you and you for them.

And finally, if there’s a social event with alcohol involved, don’t get mindlessly drunk and start behaving inappropriately. Even though I’ve known students to do so and get admitted nevertheless.

Update (01/15/2014): Several additional recommendations have been mentioned to me since I posted this. I’ll keep adding relevant information below.

For your one-on-one interviews, have answers for the following two questions: 1. Why do you want to get a PhD in …? 2. Why do you want to join this program/attend this university? Also, be prepared to give a 2-5 minute summary of your past research and be able to expand this to 20-40 minutes if prompted by an interviewing faculty member.

Unfortunately, there is no way to know for sure, unless you have heard the inside scoop from a member of this year’s admissions committee. Just because a program admitted 80% of their candidates last year doesn’t mean they won’t reduce their admissions pool to 50% this year and vice versa. ↩︎

You find these papers by searching for the faculty member’s publications on Google Scholar or Web of Science, sorting by number of citations (Google Scholar does this automatically), and looking at the most highly cited papers on which the faculty member was either first or last author. ↩︎

The last question may not be applicable if it’s unlikely you would join that person’s lab. Some of your one-on-one interviews will likely be with members of the admissions committee or simply other faculty members that were willing to do a few interviews. When you interview with those faculty, don’t pretend you’d want to join their lab if you know you never would. Do, however, ask the questions about current work and main directions of the lab. Those questions are always appropriate. ↩︎

Claus O. Wilke

Professor of integrative biology.

• What does it take to be a computational biologist?
• How to choose the right lab for graduate school
• From undergraduate to faculty member: Critical decision points in the academic career
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• Excess ambition—the eternal flaw of all PhD thesis proposals

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PhD Programs

2024 discover ursmd weekend.

• February 1-3 
• February 29 - March 2   

We look forward to hosting students this year for an exciting in-person 2024 Discover URSMD Weekend. You’ll  hear from our academic and research leaders, student groups, campus resource offices, and more. Network with fellow applicants and current students, engage in our inclusivity events, participate in a current student poster session, join a URMC tradition 'Philosophy Meeting' and get immersed in your program of application as you fully experience Rochester. 

Participation in 2024 Discover URSMD Weekend is by invitation, and invited candidates will receive notification and RSVP details by email in early 2024. We can't wait to welcome you to campus!

I found myself to have fantastic discussions with my respective interviewers about my academic and research experience, their ongoing research investigations, and what is expected as a URMC Ph.D. student."   - 2022 Discover URSMD Weekend   participant

The University of Rochester interview process provided me with a comfortable and welcoming feeling that has not always been provided by other interview programs. Moreover, each professor and student made me feel at home when I was speaking with them, further strengthening my interest in the University of Rochester."   - 2022 Discover URSMD Weekend participant​​ I feel like this interview program...made me appreciate how much the faculty cares for their potential applicants." - 2022 Discover URSMD Weekend participant​​

Travel Information

Travel by air.

• If you are traveling by air, your flight will be arranged by the University's travel agency, Town and Country Travel. The agency will be notified by the Graduate Program Coordinator that you will be calling in to book your flight to Rochester.
• The Hilton Garden Inn provides a complimentary hotel shuttle service when you call (585) 424-4404 if your arrival in Rochester is before 11:00pm. Pick-up time is based upon your flight arrival time.  The Hotel monitors guest flights and if there is a delay, pick-up time will be adjusted.  If a flight delay results in arrival into Rochester after 11:00pm, you will utilize taxi service, or a ride share service (e.g. Uber, Lyft)  from the Airport and obtain a payment receipt for reimbursement.

Travel by Bus

• Please book your bus ticket via Greyhound.com Once you’ve received an electronic ticket confirmation, please email a copy to Benjamin Lovell.
• Upon arrival at the Rochester Greyhound Station (186 Cumberland Street, Rochester, NY 14604), locate a taxi outside the entrance or call Checker Cab at (585) 325-2460. Ride share services are also available (e.g. Uber, Lyft).  Please be sure to obtain a payment receipt for reimbursement.

Travel by Car

• Please plan to arrive at the Hilton Garden Inn on Thursday by 6:00pm in order to join your fellow applicants at the Welcome Dinner Reception (6:00pm to 8:00pm). Aside from being a lot of fun, reception will be a great opportunity to mingle with your fellow applicants, graduate students, faculty and staff! The following link will assist you in mapping your travel route to the Hilton Garden Inn . Complimentary parking is available at the Hilton Garden Inn.

Parking will be available in the Kornberg Parking lot on Elmwood Avenue during your visit on Friday and Saturday.

The physical address for the School of Medicine and Dentistry, to be used with Google Maps is: 415 Elmwood Avenue, Rochester, NY 14642.

Interactive University of Rochester map .

• Kornberg Parking Lot map . You will see the Kornberg Lot in the Northwest corner of the map. You will enter this lot via Elmwood Avenue. There is a large, silver clock in the entrance area and the building entrance reads "University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry."

Travel by Train

• Please book your train ticket via Amtrak.com . Once you’ve received an electronic ticket confirmation, please email a copy to Benjamin Lovell.
• Upon arrival at the Amtrak Station (320 Central Avenue, Rochester, NY 14605 ), locate a taxi outside the entrance or call Checker Cab at (585) 325-2460.  Ride share services are also available (e.g. Uber, Lyft).  Please be sure to obtain a payment receipt for reimbursement.

Hotel Information

Unless you live locally, a room will be reserved for you at:

The Hilton Garden Inn | 30 Celebration Dr. | Rochester, NY 14620 | (585) 424-4404

• Map and Directions
• Amenities and Services

If you require any special accommodations, please contact the Office for Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs at (585) 275-4522. We will be happy to make arrangements for you.

Transportation Information

Transportation will be provided by the University to and from the Hilton Garden Inn and the Medical Center throughout your weekend in Rochester.

Cost and Other Information

• Master's program applicants: please confirm with your Program Coordinator what expenses, if any, are eligible for reimbursement.
• Please note that upon check-in, the Hilton Garden Inn will ask you for a credit card to which incidentals (e.g. movies, long distance phone calls, and room service) can be charged, for which you are responsible.
• You will receive an information folder at the Welcome Reception, which will include a copy of your interview schedule.
• Dress code for interview weekend is business casual . Please wear comfortable shoes as you can expect to do a lot of walking.

In Case of Delays or Difficulties

While you are traveling to Rochester, please keep in touch with us if you are delayed, or if you have any difficulty in your travels.

• Between 8:00am and 5:00pm Monday-Friday, please contact the Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs office at (585) 275-4522.
• After 5:00pm, please contact Ben Lovell  at (516) 554-1576 if you need to alert us of a delay or if you need assistance. 
• Biomedical Engineering applicants should contact Donna Porcelli at (585) 275-3891 if you are delayed, or if you have any difficulty in your travels.