Cracking the Code: How to Prep for Your Grad School Admissions Interview

Like a job interview, the graduate school admissions interview is an opportunity for you to share your skills, accomplishments, and passions. It’s a great way for admissions officers to put a face to your name, and determine your fit for the college and your chosen program. At the same time, you’re able to get a better sense of whether or not the college is what you’re looking for. The interview process truly goes both ways, as speaking one-on-one with admissions is your chance to get a feel for the school. You’ll have the opportunity to ask specific questions about the professors and graduate student body, and your conversation with admissions will help you later on, allowing you to feel confident in your decision to attend. 

Whether the interview is required or optional, you should treat it as seriously as you would a job interview -- from researching and gathering questions to dressing for success. Here’s everything you need to know about preparing for your graduate admissions interview. 

What to Prepare Beforehand 

Research.

Research your chosen field. Search news outlets, academic journals, and the research departments at the colleges you’re considering.  “The more you know about your chosen field, the more you can demonstrate your passion. This can also help you identify current policy or social issues, ethical dilemmas and hot topics that they may ask about during the interview,” shares Billie Streufert, director of Student Success at Augustana College in South Dakota. 

Along with having an understanding of the current issues and events in your field, make sure you research the college. Make a list of professors that you’re interested in meeting and working with, the research centers on campus you’d be working in, and even specific graduate courses that spark your interest. 

If your program allows you to take elective courses in other departments, demonstrate that you went the extra mile in your research. Be able to talk about one or two electives that you’re hoping to take. 

Remember, this isn’t a chance to show off your laundry list of facts that you’ve prepared. This is an opportunity to have an engaging, human conversation to demonstrate who you are and what you’re bringing to the campus community. 

Questions. 

As you’re researching your field, professors, programs, and colleges, a number of questions are going to come up. From program logistics (like how many interdisciplinary courses you can take) to current issues in the field (like ethical issues in collecting big data), start taking notes early on to keep track of the things you’re curious about. 

Questions are an effective way to demonstrate your passion for the field and excitement for the particular school and program. Some of the questions you have might be answered through the course of the interview, so aim for a list of at least 10-15 questions to be prepared with backups. No one likes the sound of crickets after “Any questions?” 

Elevator Pitch. 

You never know who you are going to run into on the way to your interview or on your way back to your car.  You want to make a strong first impression on admissions officers and professors alike, and the clearer you are about who you are and where you’re headed, the more impactful the impression. Learning how to answer the “Tell me about yourself” question will serve you well as a graduate applicant and a future job seeker.

Not sure how to put your elevator pitch together? Prepare yours with the steps we’ve put together here.

What to Wear 

For the most part, treat your graduate school interview as you would a professional job interview. Wear conservative shoes, choose tasteful or simple accessories if any, and wear a blazer. Many colleges might suggest business casual or “smart casual.” You can see a list of ideas of what to wear at The Balance Careers. 

What to Bring 

As a prospective grad student, investing in a professional padfolio will help you stand out and stay organized. You don’t want to be rummaging through your purse or scrambling to find a pen in your pocket. Come prepared with your resume, a notebook, a pen, and your list of questions above. Keep everything neat and in one place. 

Interview Timing  

Generally, in January or February, colleges will start reaching out about interviews. Every college is different, so double check their admissions website to see when you can expect an invitation. Make sure you are always checking your email regularly throughout the graduate admissions essay; you don’t want to accidentally miss out on your ideal interview time or miss the invitation altogether. 

Because of travel costs or scheduling conflicts, you may have to try to negotiate scheduling a video interview in place of the regular in-person conversation. 

According to UC San Diego’s Department of Psychology, “Depending on the program, you may or may not be financially reimbursed for the cost of travel.  This may affect your decision to accept an interview invitation or not. However, all else being equal, accepting an interview and being physically present at that interview will help your application chances more than not being able to interview.”