why phd interview questions

The best answers to “Why do you want to do a PhD?”

If you are interviewing for a PhD position, chances are high that you will be asked about your motivation to do a PhD. And sometimes, simple questions are the hardest to answer. Therefore, it is smart to prepare an excellent response to this question in advance.

Creating your unique answer to “Why do you want to do a PhD?”

Reasons to do a PhD are as diverse as PhD topics and PhD programmes: there is no one-size-fits-all approach.

While this diversity is a good thing, the lack of clarity on what a good answer to the question “Why do you want to do a PhD?” constitutes, makes it particularly daunting.

And indeed, this question should not be taken lightly:

A convincing response during a PhD application interview increases your chance of securing the position: it clarifies your ambition and can leave a memorable impression.

To impress your interviewers with an answer, preparation is key. The first step is to reflect on your personal ‘why’:

Write down everything that comes to your mind. Your notes could include words like “ curiosity” , and short sentences such as “ to be able to become a professor in the future” but also honest reflections such as “ I want to be able to call myself Dr”.

The next step is to sort your notes, select the answers you want to highlight, and frame your response.

The following categories are some of the best to frame your unique answer to the question:

scientific curiosity
societal or environmental ambitions
self-development
(academic) career prospects.

You may also like: The best answers to “Where do you see yourself in 5 years?”

Doing a PhD to satisfy your scientific curiosity

Curiosity is one of the key qualities of successful postgraduate students . Hence, answers to “Why do you want to do a PhD?” that centre around ambitions to satisfy your scientific curiosity are usually appreciated during PhD interviews.

There are different ways to emphasise your scientific curiosity. For instance, you could explain how a specific topic caught your interest. For example by reading the work of a specific scholar, following a course, or listening to a talk.

You could also mention previous research that you did (for instance in a bachelor’s or master’s thesis), which aroused your curiosity to dig deeper and find out more.

For all answers framed by scientific curiosity, make sure to highlight a lack of knowledge and open questions that you would like to answer by doing a PhD. And don’t just say “ I find it interesting “. Be concrete!

Doing a PhD because of your societal or environmental ambitions

Many people connect their answers to “Why do you want to do a PhD?” to societal or environmental ambitions. And for a reason: These answers can be very powerful!

Societal ambitions could be, for instance, to eradicate a specific infectious disease, combat child poverty or increase female participation in the labour market. Environmental ambitions could be, for instance, to reduce CO2 emissions, tackle plastic pollution or protect an endangered species.

When you are preparing your unique response, and want to connect it to societal or environmental ambitions, make sure to provide some details and make it personal.

You can, for instance, tell a short personal story about why you find something important. Did you have a life-changing experience? Or do you maybe know someone who has been affected by a societal shortcoming?

Doing a PhD for self-development

If you are motivated to do a PhD because of societal or environmental ambitions, good for you. But if you don’t, there is also no need to worry!

You don’t need to have ambitions to save the world or win a Nobel prize as a prerequisite to doing a PhD. There is nothing wrong with answering the question “Why do you want to do a PhD?” by focusing on yourself.

On the contrary, openness and a drive to improve yourself and learn new skills are highly valued by PhD supervisors. Thus, self-development can be another good framework for your answer.

You can emphasise your ambition for self-development by mentioning specific things you want to learn, or skills you want to acquire or improve. Create a short backstory with a rationale. In that way, your interviewers will easily understand what you want to develop and why you think a PhD programme is a right place to do so.

Doing a PhD to improve your (academic) career prospects

Another legitimate reason for wanting to do a PhD is your professional goals. These goals can involve a career within academia, or outside of academia. (Both have valid advantages and disadvantages .)

Ambitions to work within academia are more straightforward to explain. For example, in most cases, you simply need a PhD to secure a lecturer position or professorship.

If you don’t have ambitions to climb the academic ladder, but still think that doing a PhD will improve your career prospects, please go ahead! Just make sure to sufficiently substantiate your reasons, as your interviewer may not be familiar with, for instance, certain job requirements outside of academia.

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Common PhD Interview Questions
Applying to a PhD

In this guide, we’ll share 11 common PhD interview questions and our suggestions on how to answer them.

A PhD interview is an essential step in securing a doctorate position. This is because it enables the prospective supervisor to get to know you better and determine whether you’d be a good fit for the project. Equally, it provides you with the opportunity to learn more about the project and what the university offers. Although being asked to attend an interview by the admissions committee can be daunting, it’s actually a positive sign. It means that based on your application and academic qualification, the academic department believes you have the potential to make a good PhD student for the position.

Whilst most questions you’ll be asked during your PhD interview will focus on your proposed research project, a handful of generic questions will almost certainly be asked. To give yourself the best chance of succeeding in the interview, we highly recommend that you prepare answers to these generic questions beforehand.

Without further delay, here are 11 common PhD interview questions and tips on how you should answer them.

1. Tell Us About Yourself

It comes at no surprise that this common ice-breaker question is at the top of our list. This question will likely be asked to help you calm your initial nerves and settle into your interview. As this is a warm-up question, aim to give the interviewer a general overview about yourself as opposed to a detailed breakdown. To achieve this, structure your answer into three sections:

Tell us about yourself - Common PhD Interview Questions

Academic History : start with a summary of your academic background – where and what have you studied? What grades did you achieve?
Research Topic : go onto explain your research interest in your chosen topic – what do you like about it? Do you intend to pursue a career related to it upon obtaining your degree?
Why a PhD : Finish with why you want to undertake a PhD – do you want to make a contribution to science? Do you want to get a job in academia?

2. Why Do You Want to Do A PhD?

Although you may have touched on this in your answer to the above, your interviews will want to know more of the detail if they ask this question as a direct followup.

Though it may appear obvious, the interviewer is specifically interested in discovering your personal motivations for undertaking a PhD . Too often, students answer this question by listing the benefits of a PhD. Not only will the interviewer already know the benefits of a PhD, but a generic answer also won’t help you stand out among the other applicants.

To answer this question and leave a lasting impact, try to include an academic or personal experience that has strengthened your passion for research. As well as this, outline what your career aspirations are and explain how the proposed PhD will help you achieve them. The key to selling yourself here is to let the interviewer know how passionate you are about the project without having to say it.

3. Why Did You Choose This Project?

This is your chance to show that you have researched the University, supervisor and project.

First, talk about the project. Is there a particular aspect that you’re interested in? If so, mention it. This will show that you’re engaged in the topic and already have a basic understanding of the field. Besides this, a great way to show that you’ve really looked into the research topic would be to discuss a certain part of the methodology the project could adopt.

Next, talk about the University – there may be several universities offering similar projects, but what makes this one stand out? Is it their resources? Is it the prospective supervisor’s research group? Is it their previous involvement in previous influential studies? Again, show that you’ve adequately researched the University and clearly understand what makes it unique.

Finally, you can mention if your decision to apply to their university has been influenced by the expertise of the proposed supervisor. Given that the supervisor will be highly knowledgeable in the research topic you’re applying to, it’s possible they may have contributed to some significant findings in it. If so, it’s acceptable to acknowledge this by mentioning how you would like the opportunity to work under their guidance. However, be careful not to overdo. Although you may be sincere in your answer, it can go against you if your supervisor feels like you’re trying to flatter him. To avoid giving this impression, focus on how his or her expertise will help you develop into a competent researcher.

4. Why Should We Choose You?

A very blunt question, but your PhD supervisor will want to make sure you’re the best candidate for the position. This is especially true given they’ll be responsible for supporting you over the next few years. Therefore, the primary aim of your answer will be to reassure them you have the skills and experience required to undertake a doctoral study. To achieve this, identify the critical knowledge and skills required for the project and discuss how you meet each of these. Follow up each justification with a short, relevant example to help give your answers more impact.

When asked this question, some students tend to just summarise their academic CV and cover letter . This isn’t an effective way to answer the question as you’re telling the supervisor information they already know about you. It’s fine to reiterate a few key points, however, try to delve deeper into what you can offer going forward as opposed to what you’ve achieved in the past. As part of your answer, identify the soft skills which will be imperative to the doctorate and state how you have each of these. These can include skills such as effective communication, great time management, problem-solving, adaptability and high work ethic.

5. How Did You Come up With This Project?

If you’ve developed your own research proposal , then expect to have to defend it as part of your interview. You should have a thorough understanding of what the current gaps in knowledge are surrounding your research topic and how these could limit the findings of your study. Besides this, you’ll want to show that you’re clear on what the key aims and objectives of your project are and appreciate how they could contribute to your field of research. This last point is essential in convincing the interviewers this project is a worthy pursuit. What makes your project groundbreaking and worth dedicating several years to?

The interviewer wants to know if you have thought out all aspects of your project and so will likely scrutinise the finer details of your proposal. Therefore, be ready to outline the literature you’ve read and discuss how you evaluated different methodologies before suggesting your current one.

If you want an edge over other students, you can also produce a high-level plan, similar to the one below (but with more detail), which outlines the different phases of your research project. This can include stages such as the literature review, undertaking experiments, producing your thesis and preparing for your viva voce. Although they won’t expect your plan to be fully accurate, especially given how dynamic research projects can be, it will show your positive attitude towards being imitative and taking responsibility for your project.

PhD Project Plan - How to Prepare for A PhD Interview

6. What Challenges Are You Expecting to Encounter in This Project?

A common PhD interview question students struggle with is “What difficulties do you think you will face?” This purpose of this question is to check how much you’ve thought about the project. Students who provide a poor answer generally do so as they think admitting to any potential difficulties may make them seem incompetent. This couldn’t be any further from the truth.

Identifying potential difficulties shows the interviewers you’ve given serious thought to the project. This reassures the supervisor that should you run into difficulties during the research, you’re not only capable of identifying them but also mature enough to do so. Not highlighting potential difficulties, whether it’s due to a lack of confidence or understanding the project, suggests your project will be vulnerable to problems which could go amiss.

When answering this question, try to follow up on each potential difficulty with how you intend to address it. This can include measures such as making use of internal development opportunities, enrolling onto external training courses or signing up to specific research master classes.

7. What Are Your Strengths and Weaknesses?

This is a standard question for most interviews, and a PhD interview is no different.

Pick strengths that compliment your PhD programme. For example, if applying to a Physics or Engineering PhD, mentioning you have good attention to detail would be highly beneficial given the amount of data analysis involved. Try to support each of your claims with a relevant example. Using the above case as an example, you could discuss how as part of your Bachelor’s or Master’s dissertation project, your high attention to detail allowed you to streamline some of your experiments or identify potential problems with your data.

Likewise, try to discuss a weakness that won’t be detrimental to your research project. An example of something you would want to avoid would be “I have a tendency to put the hard tasks off until the end until I know I should really start working on them to not miss any deadlines“. Although this may seem like a harmless response, it will seriously concern the interview panel. This is because a model student will need to be consistent in their efforts to meet the challenging workload, even in times of difficulty. As before, follow up your weakness with a plan on how you intend to address it. For example, if you state your weakness as public speaking, a suitable follow up would be to discuss how you would like to work on it by presenting your research to undergraduate students and attending seminars.

Finding a PhD has never been this easy – search for a PhD by keyword, location or academic area of interest.

8. Can You Describe a Time You Encountered a Problem or Challenge and How You Approached It?

A key trait of all successful researchers is the ability to overcome problems independently. Given that even a minor problem can derail a research project, it’s important for your project supervisor to know whether you can adequately address them.

Despite what your example may me, try to cover the below three aspects as part of your answer:

Identification – How did you identify the problem? Was a check you had in place triggered or did you stumble upon it naturally?
Deconstruction – How did you break the problem down? Did you identify any assumptions or limitations which could have been associated with it? If so, how?
Overcoming – How did you identify the solution? If you had several solutions, how did you determine the most sensible one? What did you learn from it?

Your example doesn’t need to relate directly to the research programme you’re applying to, however, it should be kept academic if possible. For example, you could discuss a challenge you encountered during your undergraduate dissertation project, such as limited literature on your research topic or inaccurate experiment results.

The key point to remember here is that a supervisor is there to supervise, not to fix all your problems. Not only will they not have the time do to this, but it will directly go against the ethical requirement of ensuring your work is yours and yours alone.

9. What Are Your Career Aspirations?

PhD Interview Questions - Career path and aspirations

Your interviewers will want to see that you’ve considered what you will do after completing your PhD. This is to help them determine what your motivations are and to confirm that you want to enrol onto a PhD for the right reasons. It’s clear that anyone who has thought through their decision will have a long-term plan in mind, even if it’s a handful of well-considered options.

Don’t feel like your answer needs to relate to academia. One of the many benefits of a PhD degree is that it can lead to a variety of career paths. By being open with your true intentions, they can better determine what support and training you’ll require from them.

Despite your long-term goals, research into this and know the route you’d like to take post-PhD. A good understanding of your career plans and how to get there will go a long way in conveying your commitment to the project.

10. How Will You Fund This Project?

The interviewing panel will ask about this if your project is self-funded or conditionally funded (e.g. competitive funding schemes where funding is not guaranteed).

You don’t need to provide a complete breakdown of your savings, nor would they expect you to. The primary concern the interviewers want to address is that you’re fully aware of the costs associated with undertaking a PhD . If you intend to apply for external funding or take on a part-time job, mention this. In doing so, make sure you stress that you will base your part-time work around your PhD and not the other way around. The interviewers want to reassure themselves that you will make your research your top priority throughout the course of your degree.

11. Do You Have Any Questions for Us?

This interview is not only for the supervisors to evaluate you but also for you to evaluate them, the PhD project and University.

Although you will have already researched the position at length, ensure you ask questions when offered to do so. Asking questions will show that you’re engaged and are an individual who likes to make informed decisions. Not asking questions, or not asking well thought-out ones, will send the wrong message.

If you’re wondering what makes a great question, a quick internet search for “What questions should I ask at a PhD Interview?” show’s you’re not alone. Some examples of great questions to ask in a PhD interview are:

Are there any major developments or partnerships planned for the department? – Although this won’t always be the case, the department may be planning to upgrade its research facilities or partner with another leading institution. Asking about this shows you’re genuinely enthusiastic about undertaking influential research.
What are the supervision arrangements? – This is a great way to find out if your expectations match that of your potential supervisors. This can include aspects such as how often the two of you will meet and what level of support they intend to provide.
Will there be any opportunities for teaching within the department? – If you intend to pursue an academic career after completing your research, this will be a brilliant way to show them you’re committed to your long-term plans. Even if you plan on following a different career path, asking will let you know whether there is any opportunity to earn whilst you study.
What opportunities will I have for presenting my research? – This shows you intend to be an active member within your research field. This won’t be great only for your development but will help the university increase its research network and reputation in the wider community.

Other PhD Interview Tips and Advice to Help You Prepare

Format – The format of the PhD interview varies depending on the University. If you’re unsure of what format your upcoming interview will follow, get in touch with the department you will interview with. They should be able to give you an idea about what to expect and how long it will typically last. This knowledge will prove invaluable when preparing for a PhD interview.
Video interview – Some interviews will be conducted as either a phone interview or a skype interview. This is especially true if you’re an international student still within your home country. If so, conduct your interview in a place with a reliable internet connection and a clean backdrop.
Attendance – Usually, your interview will comprise the primary and secondary supervisor. However, sometimes your interview panel can comprise non-technical staff or the Head of Department.
Presentation – You may be asked to prepare a PhD interview presentation if you’re proposing your own research topic . If you’re requested to do this, keep it brief, use at least 80% of the time they permit and base it around your research proposal.
Paperwork – Bring two to three copies of your application form, and if applicable, your research proposal. Although in most cases your interviewers would have bought their own copy, it’s better to be on the safe side.
Etiquette – If you’re unsure of what to wear to a PhD interview, a good general rule of thumb is to wear what you would to a formal job interview. In other words, keep it formal. Additionally, learn how to pronounce the names of the interviewers and any other staff members you may mention beforehand.
Practice – There’s a lot of truth in the old saying ‘practice makes perfect’. You will want to practise as many PhD interview questions as you can. Don’t just limit yourself to the ones discussed on here. Find as many PhD questions as you can and prepare draft answers for all of them. In fact, you don’t even need to limit yourself to questions specifically for PhD students. There are many out there that, although written for generic academic interviews or the job market, will be applicable to you. If you find yourself short on resources, try searching for ‘tell us a time when you…’ in google as these will provide great scenario-based questions you can practise with.

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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.

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Are you ready to conquer the pivotal challenge of PhD interviews? Your path to securing a coveted spot in a doctoral program hinges on your ability to navigate the often intricate world of PhD interview questions. In this guide, we'll delve deep into the types of questions you may encounter, equip you with effective strategies to tackle them, and provide insights to help you shine in your academic pursuits. Let's dive right in and decode the art of answering PhD interview questions with confidence and poise.

What is a PhD Interview?

A PhD interview is a critical step in the admissions process for doctoral programs. It serves as an opportunity for the admissions committee to get to know you better, assess your qualifications, and determine your suitability for the program. In a PhD interview, you'll typically engage in a conversation with faculty members or admissions representatives to discuss your academic background, research interests, motivations, and potential contributions to the program.

Importance of PhD Interviews

PhD interviews hold immense significance in the admissions process. Here's why they matter:

Assessment of Fit : Interviews help institutions assess whether you are a good fit for their program and research community. They want to ensure that your academic and research goals align with their offerings and objectives.
Personality and Interpersonal Skills : Interviews provide insight into your personality, communication skills, and how well you might collaborate with faculty and peers. Your interpersonal skills can be as important as your academic qualifications.
Clarification and Engagement : Interviews allow you to clarify any aspects of your application and engage in meaningful conversations about your research interests. This interaction can set you apart from other candidates.
Demonstration of Enthusiasm : By participating in an interview, you have the chance to demonstrate your genuine enthusiasm and passion for your field of study and the program itself.
Lasting Impression : A successful interview can leave a lasting positive impression on the admissions committee, potentially tipping the scales in your favor during the final decision-making process.

How to Prepare for PhD Interviews?

Effective preparation is key to a successful PhD interview. Here's what you need to consider:

Research the Program : Dive deep into the program's website, course offerings, and faculty profiles. Understand their research areas, recent publications, and ongoing projects. Be ready to discuss how your interests align with theirs.
Create a Strong CV and Personal Statement : Craft a compelling CV and personal statement that highlight your academic achievements, research experience, and motivations. Tailor these documents to reflect your passion for the field and your alignment with the program.
Practice Interview Responses : Practice answering common interview questions, both alone and with a friend or mentor. Focus on clarity, conciseness, and relevance in your responses.
Gather Questions to Ask the Interviewers : Prepare thoughtful questions to ask the interviewers. This shows your genuine interest and engagement. Examples include inquiring about ongoing research projects and the support structure for graduate students.
Dress and Present Professionally : Choose a professional and comfortable outfit for your interview. Dressing appropriately shows respect for the process, while confidence in your appearance can boost your self-assurance during the interview.

Remember that preparation is the foundation of success in PhD interviews. By understanding their significance and thoroughly preparing, you can approach your interviews with confidence and increase your chances of securing a spot in your desired program.

Types of PhD Interviews

PhD interviews come in various formats, each designed to assess different aspects of your candidacy and suitability for a doctoral program. Understanding these interview types will help you tailor your preparation effectively.

Structured Interviews

Structured interviews are highly organized and follow a predefined set of questions. They aim to objectively evaluate your qualifications and fit for the program. Here's what to expect:

Question Consistency : In structured interviews, all candidates face the same questions, ensuring fairness and comparability.
Focused Assessment : Interviewers assess your responses against specific criteria, such as academic background and research experience.
Formal Setting : These interviews often occur in a formal setting and may involve a panel of interviewers.

Unstructured Interviews

Unstructured interviews take a more conversational approach, allowing interviewers to explore your personality, motivations, and compatibility with their research group. Here's what makes them unique:

Open-Ended Questions : Interviewers ask open-ended questions, giving you the freedom to express yourself more spontaneously.
Personality Assessment : This format delves into your personal qualities, interpersonal skills, and enthusiasm for the field.
Informal Atmosphere : Unstructured interviews often create a more relaxed, informal atmosphere.

Panel Interviews

Panel interviews involve multiple interviewers assessing you simultaneously. While they can be intimidating, they offer diverse perspectives and insights into your candidacy:

Varied Perspectives : Different panel members may come from various academic backgrounds, providing a holistic assessment.
Multifaceted Questions : Be prepared for a range of questions, including those related to your research, motivations, and potential contributions.
Time Management : Managing your responses and interactions with multiple interviewers can be challenging but crucial.

Video Interviews

In the digital age, video interviews have become increasingly common, especially for international candidates. Excelling in a video interview requires additional considerations:

Technical Setup : Ensure your camera, microphone, and internet connection are reliable to avoid technical disruptions.
Virtual Presence : Convey your enthusiasm and professionalism through the screen by maintaining eye contact and using appropriate body language.
Background and Attire : Choose a clean, professional background and dress as you would for an in-person interview. Avoid distractions.

Understanding these interview types will help you tailor your preparation and approach to each specific format, increasing your chances of success in the PhD admissions process.

Research Experience and Background Interview Questions

1. tell me about your research experience and background in your field..

How to Answer: Start with a brief overview of your academic and research journey, highlighting key milestones, projects, and publications. Emphasize your expertise, the relevance of your work to the PhD program, and any unique contributions you've made.

Sample Answer: "I hold a Master's degree in [Your Field] and have been actively involved in research for the past five years. My work has primarily focused on [Specific Research Area], where I've conducted experiments on [Research Topic]. I've published several papers in reputable journals and presented my findings at international conferences."

What to Look For: Look for candidates who can effectively communicate their research experience, showcasing their passion for the field and the impact of their work. Assess the alignment between their research background and the program's objectives.

2. Can you discuss a specific research project you've worked on in detail?

How to Answer: Choose a significant research project and provide a structured overview, discussing the objectives, methodologies, key findings, and your role in the project. Be concise and clear in explaining the project's relevance.

Sample Answer: "Certainly, one of my most impactful research projects was centered around [Project Title]. The primary aim was to [Project Objective]. I employed [Research Methodology] and collaborated closely with [Team Members]. Our findings, which indicated [Key Finding], have the potential to [Potential Impact]."

What to Look For: Evaluate the candidate's ability to articulate complex research projects coherently, emphasizing their contribution, teamwork, and understanding of the research's implications.

Motivation and Goals Interview Questions

3. why do you want to pursue a phd in [your field].

How to Answer: Share your genuine passion for your field, explaining how a PhD aligns with your long-term goals and emphasizing your commitment to contributing to knowledge.

Sample Answer: "I am deeply passionate about [Your Field] because of its potential to address pressing global issues, such as [Relevant Issue]. Pursuing a PhD is the next logical step for me to delve deeper into these challenges, conduct innovative research, and ultimately make a meaningful impact."

What to Look For: Seek candidates who demonstrate a clear and authentic passion for their field and a well-thought-out rationale for pursuing a PhD.

4. What are your specific research interests and potential research topics for your PhD?

How to Answer: Discuss your research interests, explaining how they align with the department's expertise. Mention potential research topics and why they are relevant.

Sample Answer: "My research interests revolve around [Specific Research Area], and I'm particularly intrigued by [Specific Aspect]. I see potential for investigating [Potential Research Topic] because it addresses [Research Gap], and it complements the ongoing work at your department, especially with [Professor's Name]'s research in [Related Area]."

What to Look For: Look for candidates with well-defined research interests that align with the program and an understanding of how their interests fit within the department's expertise.

Academic Preparedness Interview Questions

5. how have your academic achievements prepared you for a phd program.

How to Answer: Highlight your academic achievements, emphasizing relevant coursework, grades, honors, or awards. Discuss how these accomplishments have equipped you for the challenges of a PhD.

Sample Answer: "During my undergraduate and master's studies, I consistently excelled in courses related to [Relevant Subjects], earning top grades. I was also honored with [Academic Award] for my outstanding performance in [Specific Course], which I believe demonstrates my ability to excel in rigorous academic environments."

What to Look For: Evaluate candidates' academic records, looking for a history of strong performance and evidence of their ability to excel in the PhD program.

6. How do you plan to manage the demands of a PhD program, including coursework, research, and potential teaching responsibilities?

How to Answer: Outline your organizational and time-management skills, discussing strategies for balancing coursework, research, and other responsibilities. Mention any prior experience in multitasking or teaching.

Sample Answer: "I recognize that a PhD program can be demanding, but I've honed my time-management skills through [Relevant Experience]. I plan to create a detailed schedule that allocates dedicated time for coursework, research, and any potential teaching duties, ensuring that I maintain a healthy work-life balance."

What to Look For: Seek candidates who demonstrate a proactive approach to managing the academic demands of a PhD, emphasizing their organizational skills and adaptability.

Research Proposal Interview Questions

7. have you developed a research proposal for your phd if so, can you provide a brief overview.

How to Answer: Summarize your research proposal briefly, outlining the research question, objectives, methodology, and potential significance. Be concise and showcase your innovative thinking.

Sample Answer: "Yes, I've developed a preliminary research proposal focusing on [Research Question]. The main objectives are to [Research Objectives]. I plan to employ [Research Methodology] to investigate this, and if successful, this research could contribute by [Potential Impact]."

What to Look For: Evaluate the candidate's ability to conceptualize a research project, the clarity of their proposal, and the alignment with the program's research priorities.

8. How does your research proposal align with the department's research priorities and potential advisors?

How to Answer: Explain the alignment between your research proposal and the department's strengths and potential advisors. Mention specific faculty members you are interested in working with.

Sample Answer: "My research proposal aligns closely with the department's focus on [Department's Research Focus]. I am particularly interested in collaborating with [Professor's Name], as their work in [Professor's Research Area] directly relates to my research proposal, and I believe their expertise would be invaluable."

What to Look For: Look for candidates who have thoroughly researched the department's strengths and potential advisors and can clearly articulate the alignment between their proposal and the program's resources.

Problem-Solving and Critical Thinking Interview Questions

9. can you describe a complex problem you've encountered in your research or academic work and how you approached solving it.

How to Answer: Share a specific example of a challenging problem, outlining the steps you took to address it. Emphasize your problem-solving skills and critical thinking.

Sample Answer: "In one of my research projects, we encountered a complex issue with [Problem Description]. To tackle this, I initiated a collaborative discussion with my team, conducted thorough literature reviews, and explored alternative approaches. Eventually, we devised a novel solution that not only resolved the problem but also contributed to the field."

What to Look For: Assess the candidate's ability to navigate complex challenges, their problem-solving strategies, and their commitment to finding innovative solutions.

10. How do you approach interdisciplinary collaboration and integrating different perspectives into your research?

How to Answer: Explain your approach to interdisciplinary collaboration, highlighting instances where you've successfully integrated diverse perspectives into your work. Emphasize the benefits of such collaboration.

Sample Answer: "I believe that interdisciplinary collaboration is essential for addressing complex issues. In my previous research on [Project Name], I collaborated with experts from [Related Discipline]. We integrated their insights, which enriched our project by [Outcome]. This experience has reinforced my commitment to embracing diverse perspectives."

What to Look For: Look for candidates who value interdisciplinary collaboration, demonstrate an ability to work effectively with experts from other fields, and can articulate the benefits of such collaborations.

Communication Skills Interview Questions

11. how do you communicate your research findings to both academic and non-academic audiences.

How to Answer: Discuss your communication skills, emphasizing your ability to convey complex ideas in a clear and accessible manner. Mention any presentations, publications, or outreach activities.

Sample Answer: "I believe in effective science communication. I've presented my research findings at conferences, where I tailored my presentations to engage both experts in my field and non-specialist audiences. Additionally, I've authored articles for [Publication], aiming to make my research accessible to a wider readership."

What to Look For: Evaluate candidates' communication skills, assessing their ability to adapt their message to different audiences and their commitment to disseminating their research beyond academia.

12. How would you handle a situation where your research findings faced skepticism or resistance from peers or advisors?

How to Answer: Describe a hypothetical scenario where your research findings were met with skepticism, and outline your approach to addressing this challenge diplomatically and professionally.

Sample Answer: "If my research findings were met with skepticism, I would first seek to understand the concerns of my peers or advisors. I'd be open to constructive feedback and engage in respectful discussions to address their doubts. If necessary, I'd reevaluate my methodology or findings and provide additional evidence to support my conclusions."

What to Look For: Look for candidates who demonstrate resilience, the ability to handle criticism professionally, and a commitment to constructive dialogue when faced with skepticism.

Professional Development Interview Questions

13. how do you stay updated with the latest developments and trends in your field.

How to Answer: Share your strategies for staying informed about the latest developments in your field, such as attending conferences, reading journals, or participating in online forums.

Sample Answer: "I stay updated by regularly attending conferences like [Conference Name], subscribing to relevant journals, and actively participating in online communities and forums where experts discuss emerging trends. This continuous learning helps me remain at the forefront of advancements in my field."

What to Look For: Assess candidates' commitment to professional development and their proactive approach to staying informed about the latest research and trends.

14. Can you discuss any leadership or mentoring experiences you've had in your academic or professional journey?

How to Answer: Highlight any leadership or mentoring roles you've undertaken, emphasizing your ability to lead and mentor others effectively.

Sample Answer: "I've had the privilege of serving as a mentor for junior researchers in my lab, guiding them through research processes and offering academic support. Additionally, I was elected as the president of [Student Organization], where I led a team of [Number] members in organizing [Event/Project], which greatly enhanced my leadership skills."

What to Look For: Seek candidates who have demonstrated leadership and mentoring abilities, showcasing their capacity to contribute positively to the academic community.

Conclusion and Fit with the Program Interview Questions

15. why do you believe you are an ideal fit for our phd program in [your field].

How to Answer: Summarize the key reasons why you believe you are a strong fit for the program, emphasizing your alignment with the department's goals, resources, and values.

Sample Answer: "I am enthusiastic about your PhD program because it aligns perfectly with my research interests in [Your Field]. The department's renowned faculty, well-equipped laboratories, and collaborative environment make it an ideal place for me to pursue my research goals. Furthermore, I appreciate the department's commitment to fostering interdisciplinary collaborations, which mirrors my approach to research."

What to Look For: Evaluate candidates' understanding of the program's strengths and their ability to articulate why they are an excellent fit based on their research interests and values.

How to Prepare for a PhD Interview?

Preparing for PhD interviews is a critical step in ensuring your success in the admissions process. We will dive into the key aspects of thorough preparation that will help you leave a lasting impression on the interview panel.

Researching the Program and Faculty

Before you step into the interview room, it's essential to have a deep understanding of the program you're applying to and the faculty members who might become your mentors. Here's how to do it effectively:

Program Insights : Explore the program's website, course offerings, and any recent publications or research projects. Understand the program's strengths and what sets it apart from others.
Faculty Profiles : Dive into the profiles of faculty members in your area of interest. Familiarize yourself with their research, publications, and current projects. Identify potential advisors who align with your research goals.
Department Culture : Seek insights into the department's culture and values. This can help you tailor your responses to demonstrate your alignment with their objectives.

Creating a Strong CV and Personal Statement

Your CV and personal statement are your opportunities to showcase your academic achievements, research experience, and motivations. Crafting these documents effectively is crucial:

CV Highlights : Ensure your CV highlights relevant academic accomplishments, research contributions, and any publications or presentations. Use a clear, concise format.
Personal Statement Impact : Your personal statement should be a compelling narrative of your academic journey, research interests, and why you're passionate about pursuing a PhD. Tailor it to the program you're applying to.
Demonstrate Fit : Emphasize how your academic background and research experience align with the program's goals and faculty expertise. Show how you can contribute to the department's research endeavors.

Practicing Interview Responses

Practice makes perfect, and practicing interview responses is no exception. Here's how to hone your interview skills:

Mock Interviews : Conduct mock interviews with friends, mentors, or career advisors. Practice answering common questions while receiving constructive feedback.
Video Recordings : Record yourself answering interview questions. Review the recordings to assess your body language, clarity, and confidence.
Storyboard Responses : Create storyboards for potential questions. Outline your responses with key points and examples to ensure you address the interviewers' expectations.

Gathering Questions to Ask the Interviewers

Preparing thoughtful questions to ask the interviewers not only demonstrates your interest but also helps you gain valuable insights:

Research-Based Questions : Ask questions related to ongoing research projects, faculty collaborations, and opportunities for graduate students. For example, inquire about recent publications or upcoming research initiatives.
Program Support : Seek information on the support structure for graduate students, including funding, resources, and mentorship opportunities.
Departmental Vision : Ask about the department's vision for the future and how they envision contributing to your academic and research growth.

Dressing and Presenting Professionally

Your appearance and demeanor play a crucial role in creating a positive first impression. Here are some tips for presenting yourself professionally:

Appropriate Attire : Choose professional attire that is appropriate for the interview setting. Dressing well shows respect for the process and your interviewers.
Grooming : Pay attention to grooming and personal hygiene. Ensure you feel comfortable and confident in your chosen attire.
Body Language : Practice good body language, such as maintaining eye contact, offering a firm handshake, and sitting up straight. These non-verbal cues convey professionalism and confidence.

Thoroughly preparing for your PhD interviews is your opportunity to shine and showcase your commitment to academic excellence and research. Each aspect of preparation contributes to a successful interview experience, increasing your chances of securing a spot in your desired program.

During the PhD Interview

The moment you step into the interview room is when your preparation meets the real test. This section will guide you through the crucial aspects of handling yourself during the interview, leaving a lasting impression on the interview panel.

Arriving Early and Being Punctual

Punctuality is a mark of professionalism and respect. Arriving early not only demonstrates your commitment but also helps you settle in and overcome any last-minute nerves. Here's how to ensure you're punctual:

Plan Your Journey : Calculate the travel time and consider potential traffic or delays. Aim to arrive at least 15 minutes before your scheduled interview time.
Venue Familiarity : If the interview is in person, visit the interview venue beforehand, if possible, to familiarize yourself with the location. This can help reduce anxiety on the interview day.
Backup Plans : Have a backup plan in case of unexpected circumstances, such as traffic jams or technical issues for virtual interviews.

Building Rapport with Interviewers

Building a positive rapport with the interviewers can go a long way in making a favorable impression. Here are some strategies to establish a connection:

Engage Actively : Be an active listener during the interview. Respond thoughtfully to the interviewers' questions and show genuine interest in their responses.
Respectful Interaction : Address the interviewers by their titles or preferred names, and maintain a respectful tone throughout the conversation.
Ask Clarifying Questions : If you're unsure about a question or need clarification, don't hesitate to ask. This demonstrates your commitment to understanding and providing thoughtful responses.

Communicating Clearly and Confidently

Effective communication is essential during your PhD interview. Clear and confident communication helps convey your ideas and qualifications effectively:

Clarity is Key : Ensure your responses are clear and concise. Avoid jargon or overly technical language that might be unfamiliar to some interviewers.
Confidence and Poise : Maintain a confident tone while speaking, even when discussing complex topics. Confidence can inspire trust in your abilities.
Practice Active Listening : Show that you're engaged by nodding or providing verbal cues to indicate you're actively listening to the interviewers.

Addressing Tough Questions with Poise

Challenging questions are a part of most PhD interviews. How you handle them can make a significant difference. Here's how to address tough questions with poise:

Take a Breath : If faced with a difficult question, take a moment to collect your thoughts. Don't rush into an answer. Composure is more important than speed.
Structured Responses : Structure your responses logically, addressing the question's core and providing relevant examples or evidence to support your answer.
Be Honest : If you don't know the answer to a question, it's okay to admit it. Offer to explore the topic further or express your eagerness to learn.

Demonstrating Enthusiasm and Passion

Your enthusiasm for your field of study and the PhD program should shine through during the interview. Here's how to convey your passion effectively:

Speak About Your Research : When discussing your research interests, convey your excitement and the potential impact of your work on the field.
Share Relevant Experiences : Highlight experiences that have fueled your passion for the subject matter. Discuss the projects or coursework that have influenced your journey.
Show Gratitude : Express your gratitude for the opportunity to interview and your eagerness to contribute to the academic community.

The interview is your moment to not only showcase your qualifications but also your personality, professionalism, and enthusiasm. By mastering these aspects during the interview, you'll leave a memorable impression on the interview panel.

Post-PhD Interview Etiquette

Once the interview is over, your job isn't done yet. Proper post-interview etiquette is crucial in maintaining a positive impression and handling potential next steps. We'll delve into the essential aspects of post-interview conduct.

Sending Thank-You Notes or Emails

Sending a thank-you note or email after your PhD interview is a courteous gesture that can leave a lasting impression. Here's how to do it effectively:

Promptness : Send your thank-you note within 24-48 hours of the interview to express your appreciation while your interview is still fresh in the interviewers' minds.
Personalization : Customize each thank-you message for each interviewer, referencing specific points of discussion or insights gained during the interview.
Express Gratitude : Express your gratitude for the opportunity to interview and your enthusiasm for joining the program.

Reflecting on the Interview Experience

After the interview, take some time to reflect on the experience. Self-assessment can be a valuable tool for personal growth and future interviews:

Strengths and Weaknesses : Identify your strengths during the interview and areas where you can improve. Reflect on the questions that challenged you.
Learning Opportunities : Consider what you've learned from the interview process. How can you apply this knowledge to future interviews or your academic journey?
Feedback : If you receive feedback from the interview panel, use it constructively to enhance your interview skills for future opportunities.

Preparing for Possible Follow-Up Interviews

In some cases, you may be invited for a follow-up interview, especially if you're a strong candidate. Be prepared for the possibility of additional interviews:

Research Continuation : Be ready to discuss your research interests in more depth. Prepare to elaborate on your proposed projects or potential contributions to the program.
Personalized Questions : Expect more specific questions related to your application or areas of interest. Demonstrate your commitment and passion for the program.

Handling Rejections and Acceptances

The outcomes of your PhD applications can be emotionally charged, especially when it comes to rejections and acceptances.

Coping with Rejection

Receiving a rejection can be disheartening, but it's important to remember that it's not a reflection of your worth or potential. Here's how to cope:

Seek Feedback : If possible, request feedback from the admissions committee. Understanding the reasons for rejection can help you improve your future applications.
Stay Resilient : Maintain a positive outlook and resilience. Rejections are a natural part of the application process and can lead to growth and self-improvement.
Explore Alternatives : Consider alternative options, such as reapplying in the future or exploring similar programs that align with your goals.

Evaluating PhD Offers and Making Decisions

If you're fortunate enough to receive multiple offers, you'll face the pleasant yet challenging task of evaluating and choosing the right program for you. Here's how to navigate this decision-making process:

Comparative Analysis : Create a spreadsheet or chart to compare the pros and cons of each program, considering factors like funding, research opportunities, faculty expertise, location, and support services.
Visit the Campuses : If possible, visit the campuses or engage in virtual tours to get a feel for the environment and culture.
Consult Mentors and Advisors : Seek guidance from mentors, advisors, or professors who can provide insights and advice based on your academic and career goals.
Trust Your Instincts : Ultimately, trust your instincts and choose the program that aligns best with your aspirations and offers the support and resources you need.

Handling the aftermath of PhD interviews, including sending thank-you notes, reflecting on your experiences, and managing outcomes, is an integral part of the journey. By following these guidelines, you can leave a positive impression and make informed decisions regarding your academic future.

Facing PhD interview questions may seem daunting, but with careful preparation and a confident approach, you can shine during this critical stage of your academic journey. Remember to showcase your qualifications, passion for research, and enthusiasm for the program. Your ability to communicate effectively and handle questions with poise will set you on the path to success.

As you reflect on your interview experience and await the outcomes, maintain a positive attitude and be ready to adapt and learn from each opportunity. Whether you receive an acceptance or a rejection, remember that every step in this process is a valuable learning experience that can help shape your future endeavors. Stay resilient, stay motivated, and keep pursuing your passion for knowledge. Your PhD journey is just beginning.

Top 15 PL/SQL Interview Questions and Answers

Top 15 CNA Interview Questions and Answers

1. Please Tell Us About Yourself?

I’ve always been enthusiastic about research and making discoveries. It was during my undergraduate studies that drove my interest in learning more about environmental science. I had the opportunity to research more during my master’s degree program, which inspired me to advance to the Ph.D. level. I love traveling and sightseeing, so I’d love to utilize that to visit different places and do my research while sensitizing communities on the importance of environmental conservation.

2. How Do You Intend To Financial Support This Project?

Academic excellence has always been a passion for me. Immediately after high school, I enrolled in a business-related short-term course while awaiting to join campus. That led me to start a business that has successfully been able to break even. I have a reliable team that works for me and can independently handle the business operations while taking a less active role. In case of a funding challenge, I will utilize proceeds from the business to help support me. However, I intend to approach external sponsors and agencies willing to support this research.

3. Why Do You Need To Enroll In A Ph.D. Program?

After graduating with a master’s degree, I got a chance to lecture undergraduate students and discovered my enthusiasm for sharing knowledge with the younger generation. My background in research drives me to want to further my academic knowledge and make an impact on the next generation.

I want to pursue my Ph.D. studies, lecture at institutions of higher learning, and hopefully, one day, become a professor. I am excited about advancing my knowledge in environmental studies, which will enable me to make a valuable academic contribution in this field.

4. Why Do You Think You Are An Ideal Candidate For This Ph.D. Program?

After completing my master’s degree, I realized there is a need to sensitize the public, especially the disadvantaged communities about the importance of conserving our environment for a better future. After graduation, I worked as a volunteer for a non-governmental organization and learned a lot about global warming and its effects on future ecosystems.

Through this Ph.D. program, I will make an impactful contribution as it strongly aligns with my master’s degree research and my field of specialization. I want to use my research to make an environmental difference.

5. What Long-Term Objectives Do You Have As A Ph.D. Graduate?

I desire to live in an environment free from global warming drives my passion for dedicating time and effort to increasing environmental awareness. That is why I majored in environmental science for my undergraduate studies.

My research during my master’s revolved around the effects of industrialization on weather patterns. My Ph.D. research extends my master’s degree as I want to develop solutions that minimize environmental degradation.

6. Share With Us Your Strengths And Weaknesses?

My colleagues and acquaintances consistently complement my leadership skills . I find it easy to mobilize departments and organize activities within the community. Under my leadership and guidance, we have accomplished much through mentorship programs in learning institutions in my locality.

We’ve also initiated tree planting activities and other programs to conserve the environment. I am also a good orator with excellent verbal and written communication skills . My academic background and professional experience enable me to clearly and concisely demonstrate and articulate my ideas. I believe this strength will help me systematically document my research findings.

However, my greatest challenge is maintaining set deadlines. In my previous academic journey, I struggled to complete my assignments within set deadlines. Though my work was thorough and well researched, I could not stick to the set time frame because I was handling too many responsibilities at the time. To counter this, I hope to delegate most of my responsibilities and outsource some duties to other professionals to enable me to concentrate on my studies.

7. How Will You Motivate Yourself Not To Give Up?

My academic journey is not just a duty but something I am passionate about. I thoroughly enjoy academics and am at my best when compiling content for my thesis. I’m convinced I have more to offer as an independent researcher, which is enough motivation to complete each academic year. My passion for this subject makes me sacrifice and come up with solutions. I also feel the matter is not receiving enough attention, and I hope to address that.

8. What Do You Intend To Achieve With This Project?

Much research outlines steps needed to contain global warming and save future ecosystems. There have also been a lot of theoretical solutions the findings have yet to translate into action. I want to re-direct this project to a bearing that focuses on theory and translates that information to solutions.

I would dedicate more effort to minimizing pollution from manufacturing firms and sensitize communities to play a more active role in environmental conservation. Since my work will revolve around the environment, I hope to provide practical global warming solutions and share my passion for this topic with a broader audience.

9. Why Do You Want To Enroll For A Ph.D. In This Institution?

One of my major reasons for desiring to join this institution is because the facilities here are ideal for my research and are second to none. Also, the university’s approach toward my subjects of interest is very supportive and will help me achieve my goals. Thankfully, this university prides itself on being a trendsetter in my chosen field, and it will be a pleasure to be a part of a winning team like this one. The lecturers are also well-versed and will give me the mentorship I need to complete my thesis.

10. What Books Or Publications Have You Read Recently?

Currently, I am reading a seminal paper on conservation that primarily involves sustainable logging processes that help eliminate deforestation. I’ve also just read about New Scientific, a newsletter I have subscribed to.

11. What Are You Bringing To The University?

As a passionate member of my previous school debating club, I enjoy academic discussions, so I believe I’d contribute to industry-related academic dialogs. My skill and knowledge of MS PowerPoint make me an asset as I love creating and giving presentations that will benefit research and documentation for future reference.

12. Do You Have Any Work-Related Experiences? What Have You Learned?

One of my responsibilities in a past task as a part-time lecturer was to teach environmental studies to first-year students at a local university. The role was very satisfying as I am passionate about imparting knowledge and mentoring the youth. The responsibilities and experiences have taught me to read widely and increase my knowledge on the subject as things are consistently evolving. It also gave me insights into how academia relates to the real world.

13. What Inspired The Subjects You Chose For Your A-Levels?

I settled on subjects I believed would best prepare me for this career path. I picked topics that I genuinely enjoy and am good at. I also chose units that would teach me a wide range of skills to help me get maximum value from my A-levels.

I considered these subjects ideal and would comprehensively support my direction for my undergraduate studies. The unit selection and subject choice were perfect links that quickly merged and complemented each other to make me better market my skills in the job market.

14. What Challenges Do You Anticipate During This Academic Season?

Most of the previous research on this subject has mainly concentrated on the effects of global warming, but not many have come up with practical solutions. To start, I need to study archived research material, easily accessible in the institution’s library.

I also need access to scientific data, proper SOPs, and field research that will constitute a large portion of my research. The institution will play a significant role in sharing archived statistics to help me start.

The most common crisis I may face is raising adequate funds for field research. Though I will partially pay for the project, I still need the scholarship to help me complete the project.

15. Is There Training You Intend To Take During Or After Your Ph.D.?

There are technical skills and developmental programs on my top priority list. These skills include learning to use software and modern apps to make my work easier and save time. I also intend to take a refresher computer course that will help me improve my typing skills and make it easier to compile my thesis.

I intend to utilize project management software to help me effectively manage my finances and time and ensure I complete my research productively.

16. What Plans Do You Have After Finishing Your Ph.D. Studies?

First, I would be honored to start my academic Ph.D. journey at this institution. It will be an answered prayer as I have always envisioned myself graduating here. I also am very excited to do my Ph.D. in this subject as it has been my topic of interest since my undergraduate and master’s studies.

After graduation, I want to commit to publishing statistics and information that I believe will be helpful for further research. I feel my Ph.D. project can open opportunities for inquiry in this field which can be a foundation for a fruitful career. I desire to partner with stakeholders to collaborate and develop environmentally friendly solutions for conserving the ecological system.

17. Share One Of Your Most Outstanding Academic Achievements And What You Learned From It?

My most outstanding academic achievement was taking four years to complete my Bachelor’s degree with a 3.8 GPA. I had a lot of financial challenges at the time and could not access any scholarships or financial support. I had to work full-time while pursuing my undergraduate studies.

That experience taught me the importance of discipline and focus. I also learned that you could achieve anything you put your mind to through dedication and commitment. I am proud of this achievement and know that what I have learned will propel me to greater heights as I embark on this Ph.D. academic journey.

18. What Impact Has Your Bachelor’s And Master’s Degree Had On Your Professional Journey So Far?

During my attachment, I got a chance to intern at the prestigious United Nations Environmental Programme, a position I got due to my exemplary academic performance while on campus. Soon after completing my Bachelor’s degree, I immediately got a job as I graduated at the top of my class.

Though I had no working experience, my academic performance favored me to start working in a managerial position. The job gave me a lot of exposure and opportunities to advance in my studies, which is how I got a full scholarship to do my master’s degree. I am grateful for the opportunities presented to me and utilize them to make the world a better place.

19. How Do You Handle Defeat Or Failure?

My first job was at a supervisory level, and I was ill-equipped and inexperienced, but I knew I had the qualities for success in that position. I had to swallow my pride and take instructions and learn from junior staff. I recognized that to excel at the top, I had to learn everything from scratch, and who better to teach me than those at entry-level positions.

I had to create a conducive working environment based on mutual respect between management and junior staff, a relationship that had previously been strained and nonexistent. Creating a harmonious working environment saw the company grow its production, improve efficiency and expand much faster. We spread to other towns and launched two more branches within two years thanks to the harmonious working relationship between management and employees.

20. Do You Have Any Concerns Or Questions You Would Like To Ask?

I want insights into who my supervisor is and how you will structure my supervision. I also would like to know if there are any publishing opportunities available in the department.

21. What Impact Will Your Project Make On This Faculty?

My research will make an instrumental contribution and support other related studies in the department. My outcomes will be supporting material for future studies as I intend to gather data and publish my findings. I also anticipate contributing to other relevant publications within the department.

Last year, I researched and published a paper that I presented at the international environmental conference held last month, which got widespread approval from participants. I intend to use that experience for the good of the department. If given a chance, I am willing to volunteer a few hours of my time to tutor new students or mentor those interested in my field of study.

22. What Strategy Do You Have To Ensure Success For This Project?

I intend to have a schedule where I will indicate deadlines for each milestone. Scheduling will help me stay on course and complete my research on time.

23. What Qualities Do You Have To Guarantee Success In Compiling This Project?

My background as a research assistant and data analysis knowledge is beneficial as I will easily compile and interpret my findings with minimal challenges and resistance.

24. What Challenges Are You Likely To Face In The Field, And How Do You Intend To Overcome Them?

Scheduling time to meet respondents can be challenging, but I intend to communicate and book appointments early enough. From previous experience, I know that research needs ample time and adequate funding to succeed.

25. How Do Your Colleagues Describe You?

My colleagues consistently tell me that I am well organized, selfless, and excellent at time management . During a recent research assignment on the effects of globalization on wildlife habitation, my team praised me for proper planning and maintaining set deadlines. We completed the project ahead of time, and it was very successful.

Conclusion

While it is imperative to make a good impression by being assertive, you should not lose your individuality. Try not to be someone else but strive to be as authentic as possible. Ensure to remain objective without losing your enthusiasm.

By the time you make it to the Ph.D. interview stage, you must have explored your project feasibility and institution and program research, which are needed and give you confidence in addressing the interviewer’s concerns. Practice studying various potential Ph.D. interview questions to prepare you to answer questions from an informed viewpoint.

Study your Ph.D. project in detail to help you defend your research and support the relevance of your research question while displaying its academic contribution.

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What to do before the interview.

It is important to treat the PhD interview like a job interview. Dress smartly and bring two printed copies of your application form. It is also useful to bring your research proposal or your notes on how you will fit into the existing research project. Organise materials neatly so that you can quickly access any information requested, but also commit crucial details to memory—and rehearse.

Do background research on the university, the department, and the academics who will interview you. Prepare several informed questions about their current research and the overall research culture in the department.

Make sure you know where and when the interview will occur and arrive ahead of time. If possible, visit the building in advance. You will feel more at ease if the surroundings are a little familiar.

To avoid embarrassment, try to find out how to pronounce the names of staff members you will meet.

Tell us about yourself.

Include not only your academic background, but your personal motivation—and particularly what motivates you to do in-depth research in this specific field of study.

Why have you applied to do a PhD here?

This is where research can give you an edge. Show that you have chosen this programme/department/university for strong and valid reasons, such as your high regard for named researchers’ work, the availability of specific collections, equipment, or lab resources, and overall reputation. Give concrete examples, not banal generalities.

What can you do for us?

Academics will have to give up a great deal of time to supervise you, most of which they will receive no scheduled hours or recognition for. So, what research skills, personal attributes, connections, theoretical ideas and so on do you have that will make it worth their while? Again, give specific and concrete examples.

What do you think pursuing a PhD will do for you?

If you plan to become an academic, say so, but not in terms of just getting a job—talk about your long-term research plans . If applying to a professional doctorate programme, show that you understand the realistic career impact. Applicants pursuing a PhD towards the end of their career may want to talk about gaining recognition for innovative practice or solving complex issues through research. It is important to showcase your knowledge, motivation, background and commitment at this point.

What skills do you have that make you a good fit for the PhD place you have applied for or for the department?

Tailor your response specifically: Play up your strengths, including any prior research training and experience. Discuss project management skills, leadership skills, interpersonal skills, collaborative working, critical thinking and international experience or understanding.

Tell us about your research project.

If proposing your own topic, over-prepare. Refer to current scholarship and explain how your cutting-edge work will break new ground. If applying to join a project, show that you understand its value and demonstrate that you are the right person to make it happen. Be enthusiastic!

What would you say are your greatest strengths and weaknesses?

Yes, that tired job-interview question will appear here as well. Make sure the strengths you list include examples, and your “weaknesses” are also “strengths”—for example, “sometimes I’m a terrible perfectionist.” It is important to mention and demonstrate how your determination reaps project succession. The panel will want to know that you will persist in completing the PhD. Demonstrate this!

Tell us about a challenge you have overcome in the past.

It’s best to choose a research challenge as your answer: for example, how you handled an issue during your Master’s dissertation such as a disagreement with a supervisor or an issue with ethical approval. If you use a career or personal challenge, show how you used research or project-management skills to solve it.

What do you see as the most important issue/problem in this field today?

This question gives you space to show your knowledge of current research, theory and practice. Use this as an opportunity to showcase your knowledge.

Is there anything you would like to ask us?

This is your chance to show how informed you are and position yourself as an intellectual equal. Be prepared . Be ready.

We hope you found our Top Ten PhD Interview Questions and Answers article useful.

Find your PhD here

More phd tips:.

How To Write PhD Proposals

How to do a Distance Learning PhD at a UK university

Become a Researcher – 5 Skills You Need

PhD Funding – A Checklist of Possible Sources

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Dos and don’ts of a phd interview.

Studying for a PhD is an amazing academic achievement, as well as serious time commitment , and it's certainly not one for the faint-hearted. Once you've decided to embark on this academic path, your PhD interviewer needs to be sure that you are able to rise to the challenge and are academically capable of achieving this ultimate goal. And the PhD interview is how they assess your potential for a place on the program when applying for a PhD .

Your PhD interview will consist of questions that will enable 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.

This interview will also give you the opportunity to ask questions about the program and the university to make sure it’s the place you’d like to study.

Here, we've compiled a list of dos and don'ts of a PhD interview from the interviewer's perspective, to hopefully guarantee you success when answering the PhD interview questions and thus beginning your Doctorate journey.

PhD interview questions to help you prepare

Your interviewers will ask a range of different questions in order to determine whether you will be let into the PhD program . They will ask different types of questions to get an idea of who you are, what your interests are, and how much of an asset your research will be to the university.

General PhD interview questions

One important aspect of the PhD interview is for the interviewers to get a good idea of who the interviewee is.

They will do this by asking a series of questions that are more general to try and get a sense of your likes and dislikes, and your overall personality. These opening questions could be viewed as ‘warm up questions’ and are likely to also include questions and discussions about your academic history, reasons why you are interested in your particular research topic, and why you’re studying a PhD.

Example questions could include:

What is your academic background?
Describe your personal qualities?
What sets you apart from the candidates?
What are your strengths and weaknesses?

The PhD interviewer will ask you questions about your motivation to study a PhD which you should find straightforward to answer as you clearly have a keen interest and knowledge in a particular research topic to be considering it at PhD level. Now all you need to do is illustrate to the interviewer why you are the right person for this PhD at their university.

The first way to do this is to go into detail about your personal motivations for studying a PhD. Do you have a historical or family link with this topic? Was it an area you covered in your bachelors degree that you now want to explore further? Are you destined for a career in academia?

Another thing you should demonstrate in your PhD interview is what experience you’ve had either academically, personally or in the workplace that has strengthened your passions for your research.

It is also important to show that you have researched the university, the supervisor and your project. If many universities offer this particular PhD course, then why did you choose this specific one? Do they have resources that will be useful? Is there a supervisor you’d like to work with?

Example questions that you can expect to receive at this stage in your PhD interview could include:

Why are you motivated to pursue a PhD and why in this specific field?
Why did you choose this university?
Why did you choose this program?
Tell us about a time you experienced a setback

Relevant experience

Your PhD interviewer will be interested in any relevant experience you have to qualify you to study this PhD. Use your answers to draw attention to your specific qualifications that may not be obvious from your CV or project. Discuss other courses that you’ve taken, past research, etc. Use this time to reassure your prospective supervisor that you have the skills and experience needed to undertake a doctorate.

Consider what is the critical knowledge and skills needed for this project and explain to the interviewer how you meet these.

Don’t just summarise your CV as the interviewer has already seen this. They will want to see your passion and motivation for your research project.

Example questions they may ask at this stage could be:

What experience do you have that makes you suitable for this particular PhD and in what ways?’
Why should we choose you?

Your PhD project

Interviewers will want to know that students understand their project and the research involved in successfully studying a PhD.

You should be prepared to discuss your project idea in detail and demonstrate to the interviewer that you are the ideal candidate. For example, you should explain that you understand the current gaps in knowledge around your topic and how you propose to fill these gaps. Show that you know what your aims and objectives are and how your efforts will contribute to the research field.

Here are some example questions to help you discuss your PhD project:

How are you planning to deliver your project on time?
What will you do if you do not find the expected results?
What difficulties would you expect to encounter during this project?
How did you develop this proposal?

Future ambitions

It’s important for students to know where their work may lead them. Knowing how a PhD will help achieve this, and articulating these aspirations to the interviewer, will give the interviewer a better picture of the student’s goals.

If the goal is to have an academic career, use this as an opportunity to show the interviewer that you understand the academic career path.

An example question at this stage could be:

How will this PhD open the door for future ambitions and aspirations?

Your own questions

As well as being properly prepared to answer questions about your PhD proposal, it is also important to ask your own questions to the interviewer to make sure that this is the university and PhD program that you’re looking for.

Example questions that you could ask a potential supervisor could include:

Are you likely to remain at the university for the duration of my PhD program?
Are there good links within a specific industry/work field for your post-PhD career?
How many PhD students to you supervise at one time?
How much contact time am I likely to get?

PhD interview questions: DOs

"Brand" yourself. Show your personality . We must remember you for something besides your academic skills.
Be confident and sure of your abilities, but don’t be overconfident. You are not the best in everything that you do, so don't pretend you are!
If we ask you a witty question, reply with a witty answer.
All PhD interviews are different. Be flexible when preparing for your interview and don’t take anyone’s advice as definite, instead use it to build upon.
Avoid simple yes or no answers.
Show that you are an independent and original thinker by engaging in debate and supporting your arguments with reasonable statements. However, always be polite and argue without insulting us.
Be professional. Professionals can find the right measure between being serious and being informal.
Show that you care about what you want to study and about what we do, and don’t be interested in our PhD program just to get the title.
Research what we do. We don’t want to talk to someone who knows nothing about our work.

PhD interview questions: DON'Ts

Don’t undermine the importance of 'soft' general questions like “Where do you see yourself in future?” or “What is motivating you to do the PhD?”
Don't be passive in communication. We are interviewing you, but you are also interviewing us.
Don’t give too general answers. Be specific and to the point because that will show us that you are not feigning but you know what you are talking about.
Don’t get nervous if you think the interview is not going well. In many cases this is just your personal impression, which may be wrong.
Don’t come dressed as if you just woke up – make an effort!
Don’t talk jargon. It is not very likely that we were born in the same place or have the same background, so we may not understand what you are saying.
Don’t try to pretend that you are someone you're not. We don’t like pretentiousness and can usually see straight through it.
Don’t try to be too funny. We may have a different sense of humour than you do, especially if you come from a different culture.
Don’t become too emotional during the PhD interview. Enthusiasm is good but not if it’s exaggerated, then it becomes quite off-putting.

Summary of PhD interview questions

This table shows some examples of different categories of questions you might enounter at a PhD interview.

Applying For A PhD

How To Prepare For A PhD Viva

Are You Ready For A PhD?

How To Get The Most From Your PhD Supervisor

Common PhD Myths

Alphabet of PhD Study

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Graduate School

120 Common and Difficult Graduate School Interview Questions

Including expert answers to help you prepare.

In this blog, you will see some of the most common and some of the most difficult or tricky graduate school interview questions candidates often face in interviews. These are the kinds of questions you likely already have in mind, and to which you have hopefully given some thought already, especially when you prepared your other materials such as your graduate school resume and graduate school cover letter . For those more difficult questions, we’ll provide some discussion about the question and an expert response.

>> Want us to help you get accepted? Schedule a free strategy call here . <<

Listen to the blog!

Article Contents 21 min read

Types of graduate school interview questions, “the process of preparing for graduate school interviews can be both very arduous and anxiety inducing. through bemo not only was i able to quell my anxiety, but i was also able to establish a baseline through which i can improve on any weaknesses come interview day. additionally, their mock interviews truly help with getting you (as the prospective student) acclimated to the environment in order to be even more prepared for the whole process.” - anonymous, bemo student.

Similar to how there are graduate programs that don’t require GRE , not all graduate programs require an interview, but – increasingly – many programs are making an interview a part of their graduate program requirements .

If you’re applying to a graduate program, ranging from a master’s in social work and master’s in psychology to the easiest PhD programs to get into , you may face an interview, and you need to be prepared for the kinds of questions you may be asked, such as “ why do you want to do a PhD? ”.

While you should feel comfortable enough to speak in a collegial way with your interviewer(s), you still need to be attentive to the fact that you are being evaluated at all times. With that said, bear in mind that making it to the interview stage for a graduate program means that they’re likely looking for reasons to keep you, rather than reasons to exclude you. Your application materials, such as your graduate school statement of purpose or your PhD motivation letter have gotten you this far, but the last step is your interview. Nikki, who got into a top-tier graduate program in California described the entire graduate school application process as “it's a ton of paperwork; it's a lot of questions you weren't expecting to answer; and it's a lot of writing.”

So while your writing has piqued the review committee’s attention, now, they want to see if you’re as awesome as you seem on paper – that is, if you’re both someone with promising ideas and someone they’ll be interested in bringing into their departmental community; and that can only be done through an interview But as Nikki said, there are many graduate school interview questions that you might not expect to be asked, and you have to be able to know the different types of questions commonly asked in graduate school interviews, as having an idea of what to expect will allow you to put your best self forward on interview day.

“I practiced answering common interview questions. I also prepared explanations of my past experiences and why they made me a good fit for the lab as well as the program overall. I also did some research into the program so I could highlight why I was interested in York specifically.” - Christina Lapytskaia, MA, PhD, York University

Graduate school interview question #1: tell me about yourself.

This is almost certainly the most common interview question, regardless of where or to what you are applying. This question can and will appear in any professional interview. For example, you can check out sample answers we provide for " Tell me about yourself " medical school interview, " Tell me about yourself” residency interview , and even “ tell me about yourself” nursing school interview . Truly, this is the most common, but nevertheless nerve wracking question out there. In general, you want to think of this as your “opening statement”, the introduction to the story of you as an aspiring grad student.

But I knew I would need to scale up at some point and develop more skills as a filmmaker. That\u2019s when I decided to pursue undergraduate studies in film. Throughout that experience, I worked with other students who were interested in all different aspects of filmmaking: production, acting, cinematography, film history, screenwriting, and others. . Having a Bachelor of Arts degree in film studies was great for my resume and burgeoning reputation as an emerging creator, but I knew what I was lacking was a more robust learning experience in film history, theory, and analysis. . It\u2019s been a difficult road, but I\u2019ve been slowly building myself up as a creator. I believe that as I continue to develop my knowledge and understanding of film from a philosophical perspective, I can have a fulfilling career as a filmmaker\/critic. ","label":"Expert Sample Answer","title":"Expert Sample Answer"}]" code="tab1" template="BlogArticle">

Would you rather watch a video? Here's some tips on preparing for your grad school interview:

Graduate School Interview Question #2: Why Our School/Program?

“find out in advance who you will be interviewed by - is it the head of the program or a mix of students and professors this will help you determine how to prepare and anticipate what kinds of questions may be asked and what you should discuss. the second tip would be to research the school and the program. what is the school known for what is the program known for once you know the answers to these questions, determine what relevant experience you have, either through work, academics, extracurricular, or volunteering, that you can use as content to showcase how the skills and experiences you have align with that of the school and the particular program you are applying to. lastly, avoid statements that are vague and uninformative to showcase alignment, such as stating 'i love research' or 'i have a passion for learning'. instead, showcase your 'love for research' or your 'passion for learning' through personal examples/stories that demonstrate how you are motivated to pursue research etc. this will make you stand out compared to other applicants.” - megan aoki, phd, trent university.

As Megan says, in responding to this question, you need to be specific. You need to think about questions, such as, what is it about the curriculum at that school that fits your own learning style or needs? What faculty member(s) would you like work with, and why do you want to work with them? Do you have a potential supervisor in mind? And, if so, have you reached out to them yet, to ensure they’re taking on students and interested in your intended course of study? Note: if you haven’t done this by the time you get the invitation to interview, then you need to do so prior to the interview, if at all possible!

I believe that while theory and practical knowledge are important aspects of a robust education for this particular discipline, it\u2019s perhaps just as important to have experience applying concepts to real-world issues in the community and worldwide. The University of Toronto Master of Environment and Sustainability has a strong emphasis on research, as well. With one of my biology professors, I participated in an a few field biology experiences; on one particular expedition, we collected samples and data concerning mottled duskwings, a medium-sized butterfly native to the geography. It\u2019s always been important to me that my education emphasizes experience and practical application, especially in a field such as environmental studies. With collaborative specializations in Environment and Health, I expect to acquire a more holistic perspective on environmental issues with a better approach to solutions, at the University of Toronto in this program. ","label":"Expert Sample Answer","title":"Expert Sample Answer"}]" code="tab2" template="BlogArticle">

“My interview prep would include researching the program, practicing responses to common questions, and ensuring I could eloquently articulate my academic and research experiences. Also, I would engage in practice sessions with mentors, including graduate students with who I collaborated and worked with. Additionally, I would seek advice from my professors to enhance my preparedness for addressing specific questions.” - Celia Ferrag, PhD, University of Toronto

Up to this point, you’ve probably been thinking more about what you, as a student, will “get” from the institution (in terms of funding, research support or resources, work in a lab or as a TA, scholarly mentors, how to transition from academia to industry , and how to find industry jobs after PhD etc.). At this stage of your education, however, you must realize that the institution will get a lot out of you, as well. They will benefit from the research you do, the teaching work you will likely have to do, etc. So, what new, exciting ideas are you bringing with you? What can you offer them that others may not be able to offer (or, at least, not in the same ways as you)?

If I am accepted into your program, I want to be one of those students who can support their classmates. Collaboration in math is perhaps an underappreciated element; but for me, it is an integral component. In the primary research areas being vehemently explored at Waterloo, including carbon nanotubes and fluid mechanics, my collaborative spirit and enthusiasm will motivate students to work together to move research forward. ","label":"Expert Sample Answer","title":"Expert Sample Answer"}]" code="tab3" template="BlogArticle">

Here's how to tackle the hardest graduate school interview questions:

Graduate School Interview Question #4: Why Are You Interested in This Field?

“my interview with gautham pulagam was an extremely pleasurable experience. he not only helped me discover what i need to do to better myself, but he offered examples and tasks to do so. his help along with all the other people at bemo has been crucial in helping me develop my interview and writing skills. he was extremely helpful, and made me feel welcome because he remembered reading my personal statement from what i said during the mock interview. overall, it was a pleasant experience and i would recommend his help to anyone attempting to get into grad school.” - thomas w., bemo student.

Whatever graduate program you’re pursuing, you need to have specific reasons for why you are following this particular path. You love the field? Great! What do you love about the field? WHY do you love those specific things about the field? What do studies in this area offer you that you can’t find in other disciplines? Answering these questions will give you the best answer to “Why are you interested in this field?”

And if you’re nervous about this question – don’t be. You inadvertently already answered this question in your graduate school statement of purpose or your grad school career coals statement. This time, you will simply need to articulate your interest verbally. Make sure to use examples of events and experiences that showcase that you took all the necessary steps to be certain in your field of choice.

I think that there are many ways that education could be improved in terms of inclusion and diversity. I think it\u2019s also important to acknowledge what education on various levels does well and strive to uphold these practices. Traditional methods used in our classrooms and lectures can truly empower students from all different backgrounds, but we also need to work on diversifying the methods we use to address a variety of student populations. From experience, I know that classroom settings can either alienate or promote self-realization and unification. I want to deepen my knowledge of the relationship between education and society with a focus on equity and social justice. My goal is to become an educator, so I know it will be important to integrate a variety of perspectives on these issues so I can embody a message of inclusion in the classroom. ","label":"Expert Sample Answer","title":"Expert Sample Answer"}]" code="tab4" template="BlogArticle">

"The most common issue I encountered when I interviewed prospective graduate students (especially for a master’s program) is the lack of interest and clear goals in pursuing grad school. Some students apply to master’s as a placeholder for other professional programs (medicine, dentistry, vet, pharmacy, nursing, etc.) until they get in. This is sometimes apparent in interviews when a student’s goals do not align with pursuing graduate school (i.e. they are not interested in academia or industry). I have heard this answer too many times and it should be avoided: 'I am not entirely sure what I want to do in the future, and I truly believe this lab is a good avenue to explore whether or not I like research'. Even if this is the case, it was always a red flag to interviewers about their seriousness or commitment.” - Reem Sabry, MSc, PhD, University of Guelph

If you’re hoping to do a PhD, it is important to be able to articulate why doing a PhD, specifically, is the right choice for you, your priorities, and your goals. Remember, the interviewers will most likely have reviewed your research resume and other application materials, so they know what you are capable of academically. Try to give them a larger picture of what a PhD will mean for your career and personal goals. Most importantly, remember to indicate what the school or the program possess that would allow you to achieve your PhD ambitions.

I have many goals with my research; but I think my central purpose in wanting to obtain a PhD at this particular institution is to gain access to the research institute connected with your school. Many formidable contributions to the growing body of research have been made within those walls, from causal interference models to AI and AI in public health. The abundant opportunities to collaborate and work with some of these eminent researchers is my primary attraction to this program. ","label":"Expert Sample Answer","title":"Expert Sample Answer"}]" code="tab5" template="BlogArticle">

Here are some tips on getting into graduate school!

Graduate school interview question #6: where else are you applying.

This is a difficult question because you need to be honest, but you also need to be able to demonstrate why this particular institution would be a top choice for you. They want to be fairly certain that you’ll accept an offer, if it’s extended; at the same time, you need to cover your own bases and apply to multiple schools, if that’s what’s right for you (though we don’t recommend casting an overly-wide net with applications). This is why your answer should speak to elements you really value in any program, such as curriculum, research opportunities, faculty, teaching opportunities, and so on. So rather than focusing on specific schools and what they offer, focus your answer on why you applied to certain schools, including the one where you are interviewing.

When I looked for graduate school programs, I mostly focus on scholarship and research opportunities, as well as the faculty I had a chance to work with. In addition to this program, I have also applied to X school and Y school, both of which have excellent programs and scholarship opportunities in-line with my interests. That said, this school would be one of my top choices, particularly because of the work Dr. Singh is doing in his [Research Lab]. I\u2019ve corresponded with Dr. Singh about his current initiative, and found that our interests overlap considerably, and he responded favorably when I asked if he might consider supervising my project, if I am accepted. I am up-to-date on his work and have been following it for some time now; working with him as I complete my degree would be ideal, due to my interest in this particular area. While I need to spend some time familiarizing myself with the wider field and theoretical resources, which will happen during my coursework, I already have some ideas of independent research I could possibly do, branching off of the work he\u2019s done already. ","label":"Expert Sample Answer","title":"Expert Sample Answer"}]" code="tab6" template="BlogArticle">

Graduate School Interview Question #7: What Do You See as the Major Trends in Your Field of Study?

While it’s not expected that you will be an expert in the field at this point, you do need to demonstrate that you’re engaging the literature, that you’re pursuing the ideas in this area of scholarship, and that you’re doing these outside of and beyond your standard coursework. Those who do the bare minimum aren’t generally well-suited for graduate school. In undergraduate studies, you’re gaining exposure to a wide range of ideas, but you only take the very first steps down the specialization process in your final year or two of undergrad. Graduate school is a whole different beast – graduate school is as different from undergraduate as undergrad was from high school.

Wearable technologies are also rapidly developing innovations. ReWalk is perhaps one of the best examples. ReWalk allows patients with spinal injuries or injuries preventing them from being able to walk to stand and move using motors at the hip and knee; these devices are equipped with gravity sensors that the patient can use to steer and direct themselves with weight distribution. ReWalk is the first of probably many exoskeletons to get FDA approval for personal use. ","label":"Expert Sample Answer","title":"Expert Sample Answer"}]" code="tab7" template="BlogArticle">

Graduate School Interview Question #8: Can You Explain Your Research (or Research Interests) in a Way that Would be Comprehensible to Non-Specialists?

“when i interviewed to do my master’s and my phd in a specific lab under two different faculty members, i started by reading their research. i read at least 2 most recent publications for that faculty member. i also created a list of my personal experiences that could be relevant to their research. i focused on technical lab skills as this is a common question if you are joining a wet lab. lastly, i practiced the most common interview questions (tell me about yourself and tell us your weaknesses.)” - reem sabry, msc, phd, university of guelph .

Ensure you can break down key concepts, unpack complex jargon, and explain the things you’ve done as if you were speaking to someone with no specific knowledge in the area. While you’ll likely learn additional methodologies and approaches as part of your graduate education, you still need to be able to discuss your own work and interests, demonstrate the skills and competencies you’ve already started polishing, and stir your listener’s interest by demonstrating both enthusiasm and nuanced, trenchant consideration of the field and the contributions you’d like to make to scholarship (broadly defined – inside and outside of academe).

In my developments on this topic, I make the case for what some have called a \u201cproto-racist\u201d conception of ancient Greek racism and discrimination. I don\u2019t believe that there is much evidence, as it stands, to suggest that the ancient Greeks were discriminating against discrete groups of people who would\u2019ve assumed a \u201cWhite\u201d identity, put in our modern terms. They did, for instance, attribute to groups a common characteristic that weren\u2019t biologically determined, yet were influenced by external factors. ","label":"Expert Sample Answer","title":"Expert Sample Answer"}]" code="tab8" template="BlogArticle">

Here's some advice on writing your research resume:

Graduate School Interview Question #9: What is Your Research Interest?/What Are You Hoping to Research?

At first glance, this may not seem like a difficult question. Indeed, it may be one of the most obvious. However, at the stage of applying to graduate school, you will likely not have a clear research agenda yet, and that’s okay! As well, even if you do have a clear research agenda, it will almost certainly change before you finish your degree, as that is – quite simply – just the nature of research at this level.

The good thing is that your interviewer knows all of this. They know you’re not a grad student – yet. They know you’re not an expert – yet. So, come in with a clear idea of where you think you want to go with your education, but don’t panic if you can’t hand in a detailed research plan – yet. Be as specific as you can, and demonstrate why these ideas matter to you. On the other side of things, don’t come in with some grand plan that you think will shake the discipline to the core with its revolutionary ideas. So, do bring a good dose of humility with you into the interview.

For my undergraduate thesis under Dr. Koenig at XYZ University, I was able to draw on Dr. Stevenson\u2019s theories to explore the 2016 Standing Rock protests and media\/social media response, a project that allowed me to respectfully approach members of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe for an interview, to better understand what they saw happening in this historical event and the popular support shown on major social media sites, like Facebook. The ways in which a history that, at the time, seemed to me rather far in the past, was seen as immediately relevant \u2013 a symbol of a larger struggle that has been teeming for centuries \u2013 was eye-opening for me. I want to understand this more deeply and explore the ways in which contemporary social media similarly collapses boundaries between past and present. ","label":"Expert Sample Answer","title":"Expert Sample Answer"}]" code="tab9" template="BlogArticle">

Graduate School Interview Question #10: If You Could, Would You Change Anything About Your Academic Experience so Far?

Academia is a social sphere, and there are alliances, cliques, and gossips, as there are in any social sphere. You don’t want to speak poorly of one professor, only to find out that they are close colleagues with your interviewer. So, if that thing you’d change has to do with the institution, avoid naming names and discuss why the issue was concerning or disruptive enough to leave you wishing it were different, and explain how you succeeded despite this. Turn it into a positive conversation about what you’ve overcome.

At my undergraduate institution, we were a rather small department. While I immensely value the education I received, the courses I took, and the professors who supported me, the diversity of perspectives was not as expansive as I wish it could have been. I was exposed to many different ideas and perspectives, and these were certainly present among our faculty, but with only 5 core professors, I was limited in terms of the specific guidance I was able to receive. That said, my professors were incredibly encouraging, and two of them put me into contact with colleagues at other institutions, whose ideas they thought I might appreciate. We corresponded by email, and they sent me some of their syllabi and reading lists, which added supplemental material to the courses I was already taking. Although a wide diversity of perspectives wasn\u2019t available to me on campus, my mentors were able to point me to resources that helped me expand my interests and follow what captured my attention. I look forward to the day when I\u2019m presenting at conferences, so that I can meet these scholars and thank them in person \u2013 I don\u2019t know if they realize just how important their insights were in fostering my passion to continue my studies. ","label":"Expert Sample Answer","title":"Expert Sample Answer"}]" code="tab10" template="BlogArticle">

Still working on your statement of purpose for graduate school? Here are some tips:

Graduate School Interview Questions: Personal

Graduate school interview question #11: how do you deal with failure/disappointment.

Asking about uncomfortable things from our life history – failures, limitations, weaknesses – is very common in any interview. The purpose is generally two-fold: to see how you handle being asked about such things in a high-pressure situation (because we all just LOVE talking about our failures, right?!), and to see how you approach such “negatives”. It is very important that you reflect on such questions in advance, and do some probing to gain insights into who you are, how you’ve grown, and how you overcame such drawbacks. It is, quite frankly, inevitable that we will all fail at some point, we all have limitations and weaknesses, but what we do with all of these matters. If you can view these as mere bumps on the longer path to success, and focus on what you’ve learned when confronted with your own limitations or failures, then you’ll be able to navigate a touchy question like this one successfully , like our admissions expert Dr. Thais Lavangolli, PhD, did:

“I think the hardest question I had at that time was about describing a situation that I failed. I was afraid to come across unprepared or that I didn’t have the skills required to succeed in their program. I didn’t have much experience with interviews or how to address this type of questions, so I remember that I panicked for a moment until I was able to focus on an effective answer that showed that everyone can make mistakes, but it is important to be able to recognize them and improve from there.” – Dr. Thais Lavagnolli, PhD, Imperial College London

If asked to give examples of personal limitations , again, be honest. Do not try to sneak in a “weakness-that’s-really-a-strength” – interviewers can see right through it, and it comes off feeling cliché, at best. Have you historically had poor time management? Say so. Do you have a hard time saying “no” to others? Tell them. Are you someone who is not naturally inclined toward organization? Confess. But, in all of these cases, do not simply leave it at that! Tell them how you are working past (or how you have worked past) such limitations. Poor time management? How do you stay on top of your school and other work, and how will you continue to do so as a graduate student? Uncomfortable saying “no”? What have you done to start creating boundaries, so that you won’t be overwhelmed? Disorganized? What systems have you put in place to manage your data? Show them you won’t just shrug your shoulders when you face adversity – even when the source of it is you yourself!

I realized, after some reflection, that my expectations needed recalibration. As a first-time writer seeking representation, I needed to understand that it was unlikely to get published without any prior experience or credentials. So, during my undergraduate studies, I joined a writer\u2019s club. With a group of motivated writers from all different experience levels, we critiqued each other\u2019s work and discussed technique, style, and how to develop strong pitch materials. At the same time, I was volunteering as an editor for the school literary journal. I was reading submissions and making recommendations to the senior editor about what I thought would be good material to publish. I was learning to deal with my disappointment by using it to motivate improvement, in a more productive scientific manner. I had my first short story published in a mid-tier magazine. It was one of the most rewarding feelings. Failure is all about perspective; if you use it productively, you can turn it into something positive. ","label":"Expert Sample Answer","title":"Expert Sample Answer"}]" code="tab11" template="BlogArticle">

Graduate School Interview Question #12: What is Your Most Significant Accomplishment?

If you’re applying to a graduate program, you likely have significant accomplishments – academic, but probably personal, as well. That’s awesome! You should absolutely talk about this in the interview, of course! But, a word of caution: Be Humble – especially if you choose to talk about academic achievement. Your accomplishments are valid and worthy and you should absolutely be proud of them. However, you’re about to enter an arena where everyone is at least as accomplished as you are. You may be used to being at the top of every list, but now, you’re going to be working with all the other #1s, as well as the people who rank such lists. A dose of humility is always welcomed. Remember, the people interviewing you are looking at you as a future colleague. Graduate school is – ideally – more about working collaboratively and collegially with your peers and professors than it is working for your profs in undergrad. Along with evaluating your academic bona fides, they also want to ensure that you’re a person they’d like to see every day , as our admissions expert Vicky Cerdeira, MSc, points out:

“Don’t be robots. They want to see passion, and not scripted answers. You want to showcase that you are thinking, and that you are capable of applying your knowledge about life (and science) in and outside of the program. So let other people see how excited you get about the subject/program/research, while also highlighting your accomplishments. Be yourself, and never lie (to yourself and to others).” – Vicky Cerdeira, MSc, Université du Québec à Montréal

But the road didn\u2019t stop there. We faced some of the best teams in the region on our way to the finals. I wasn\u2019t the best player on the team, but I did my best to motivate everyone with hard practice and pre-game speeches. We were the underdogs. When we won, I almost couldn\u2019t believe it. It was an incredible feeling to be able to lead a struggling team to victory, to prove that I could be a strong voice for the team and motivate us out of defeat. ","label":"Expert Sample Answer","title":"Expert Sample Answer"}]" code="tab12" template="BlogArticle">

We are seeing mental health crises in many facets of society, and academia is included in this. The pressure of graduate school is immense and virtually indescribable to those who haven't gone through it.

It’s all a lot to deal with, and it can be mentally trying, even in good times. Depression and anxiety are common. Every year, graduate students abandon their studies under the weight of it all, and some – particularly those with pre-existing struggles with mental health – are driven past the point of no return. Even those who seem “strong” or “okay” may be hurting far more than they may let on.

As such, the push toward a mental wellness model in academia is underway, but it’s slow-going. You need to demonstrate during the interview that you are realistic about the immense pressure you will be under, and that you have coping strategies in place to handle such stressors. As such, do not demonstrate any behaviors that can be construed as signs of stress or anxiety, as our admissions expert Dr. Megan Aoki, PhD, says:

“Generate a positive impression from the start of your interview through your body language (posture, eye contact, warm expression). With this in mind, avoid the following in your non-verbal communication: folding in on yourself, constant downward gaze instead of eye contact, fidgeting, playing with hair, intense eye contact (be natural about it), rigid posture, etc. These behaviors convey information to the interviewer that could be perceived as a lack of confidence or inability to handle stress. Therefore, it is important to think about the impression you want to leave. Think about using your non-verbal communication to establish a good first impression that you reiterate then with your verbal responses.” - Dr. Megan Aoki, PhD, Trent University

I\u2019m fortunate in that I\u2019m very close with my family, and I have a long-term partner, as well. They are all an immense source of support, and I always have a loving ear when I need to vent. On top of that, being in nature really helps me keep everything in perspective. My partner and I go camping every long weekend during the warmer months, and I live 5 minutes away from a massive, beautiful park, right on the lake. I actually take my books and laptop there frequently, sitting at a picnic table in the shade of a massive tree, looking out across the lake \u2013 it\u2019s one of the best places to get work done. I can take breaks, listen to birds chirping, watch squirrels play, or just feel the breeze on my face. Even when I can\u2019t go there, I have a nice garden in my backyard, where I grow flowers and vegetables, and a little outdoor work station where I can do some reading or writing. ","label":"Expert Sample Answer","title":"Expert Sample Answer"}]" code="tab13" template="BlogArticle">

Want to know how to get into grad school with a low GPA? These tips can help:

Graduate School Interview Question #14: What Have You Been Reading?/What’s the Last Book You Read?

This question is difficult because of how informal it can come across when asked. As ever, you want to be honest, but that means making a note to yourself right now: Ensure you’re reading things that show depth and curiosity! This doesn’t mean reading only those things related to your area of scholarship, but you absolutely do need to have such things in your regular rotation. If, for example, there are primary works in your field that you haven’t had the chance to read yet, then get to a library! Often, in undergraduate studies, you’ll read a lot of secondary sources – that is, readings about key theories, thinkers, and methodologies in the field, written by others. But, if there are landmark names in your field whose actual works you’ve never read, work them into your rotation along with some things that are more current. As noted earlier, if you’re not sure what these are – in either case, old or new – ask a research librarian at your school. Most schools will have discipline-specific librarians who are familiar with the major works in that discipline, foundational primary texts and cutting-edge scholarship happening at this very moment. Make use of this incredibly valuable resource – you’re paying for it with your tuition, whether you use it or not!

If you enjoy fiction, non-fiction works outside your field, graphic novels, etc., that’s great, of course! You don’t have to lose yourself and your enjoyment to pursue graduate studies. Just be sure to think through the image you project, if you discuss these in an interview. Reading Vampirella is a bit different than reading Watchmen or Maus . Discussing your love of trashy romance novels comes off in a different way than discussing your love of historical biographies. That’s not to suggest there’s anything wrong with enjoying the former of either comparison – you do you! But, you do want to be strategic in what you disclose in an interview, since you're making a first impression (your quirks can come out after you've been accepted!). So, if you’ve legitimately just put down the most recent Harlequin novel, give it some consideration before reflexively answering this question in a way that doesn’t highlight your own depth --unless, of course, you want to study such things as part of your scholarship.

To be honest, over the past month, I\u2019ve been handling a heavy load at school, so my recreational reading time has been spent more on fiction than non-fiction. I do have a subscription to [Top Journal], but I haven\u2019t had an opportunity to really dig into the latest issue yet. Instead, I\u2019ve been reading Margaret Atwood\u2019s MaddAddam Trilogy before bed each night. If you\u2019re not familiar, it\u2019s a dystopian science fiction story that explores some of the anxieties and potentialities around genetic modification, environmental catastrophe, and the human\/non-human species divide. As someone with an interest in apocalyptic narratives of the past, apocalyptic speculation about the future is also something I find fascinating. Atwood is also renowned for the research that goes into her novels, so seeing her explore the possibilities \u2013 both beneficial and terrifying \u2013 of the technological advances of the present really helps me think through some societal and personal anxieties about where the world is heading. She also just weaves deeply rich and incredibly elaborate worlds that I love spending time in and pondering, even if they are rather unsettling, at times. ","label":"Expert Sample Answer","title":"Expert Sample Answer"}]" code="tab14" template="BlogArticle">

Here's some more advice on writing your graduate school personal statement:

Graduate School Interview Question #15: What are Your Career Goals?

You have most likely touched upon this question in your applications already, but the challenge here is to vocalize this verbally in a coherent narrative. The problem is, many students might be unsure of what exactly they may want to do after grad school. Our admissions expert Dr. Reem Sabry, PhD, shares her experience interviewing grad students:

“The most common issue I encountered when I interviewed prospective graduate students (especially for a master’s program) is the lack of interest and clear goals in pursuing grad school. Some students apply to master’s as a placeholder for other professional programs (medicine, dentistry, vet, pharmacy, nursing, etc) until they get in. This is sometimes apparent in interviews when a student’s goals do not align with pursuing graduate school (i.e. they are not interested in academia or industry). I have heard this answer too many times and it should be avoided: “I am not entirely sure what I want to do in the future, and I truly believe this lab is a good avenue to explore whether or not I like research” Even if this is the case, it was always a red flag to interviewers about their seriousness or commitment.” – Dr. Reem Sabry, PhD, University of Guelf

The key to answering this interview question, even if academia is not your final goal, is to outline what exactly led you to an interest in graduate work in this field and how this program will help you get where you want to go. . If you’re having trouble brainstorming what exactly you want to include in your answer, reach out to a graduate school admissions consultant who can help you with this answer.

Entering university, I joined a peer support group for student recovery an addiction resources. The school already established a strong support program. I mainly worked on developing and promoting resources detailing the effects of substance abuse, how to see the signs, and where to get help. The students I met through the program \u2014struggling or otherwise\u2014were always very grateful for our services. With this student group, I helped develop a report on how university students perceive substance abuse services to understand barriers and resistance to seeking treatment. We found that many students felt they were unworthy of support. To combat this sense of unworthiness, we launched our \u201cyou are worth campaign\u201d promoting anonymous services that people can use to hopefully introduce them to help and lower the perception that they don\u2019t deserve help. I was able to use my father\u2019s experience to help these students and change attitudes towards addiction and treatment at my undergraduate alma mater. I hope to continue this work in my graduate school journey. ","label":"Expert Sample Answer","title":"Expert Sample Answer"}]" code="tab15" template="BlogArticle">

Your answer must not only outline what you plan to research in your new program, but what steps you took in your education so far to get to where you are now, as our admissions expert Dr. Reem Sabry, PhD, points out:

"To do a thesis-based graduate program, prior research experience, particularly in a lab setting is valued. Alongside my undergraduate degree, I completed a biotechnology technician diploma at a college, and I included this in my CV. The technical lab skills I learned through extracurriculars made me stand out for grad school.” – Dr. Reem Sabry, PhD, University of Guelf

Even if you changed your interests radically, make sure to create a narrative that shows why you are interested in your topic and how you got there.

If I\u2019m given the opportunity to work on research at your institution on the graduate level, I would like the pursue a similar body of research investigating The Global Workspace Theory and other competing theories, such as Higher-Order theories of consciousness. These are, as I\u2019ve noticed, the two areas that many of your faculty members in the philosophy department are occupied with. Coming from a neuroscience background, I\u2019m also aware of the invaluable contributions and collaborations of a strong neuroscience department. The cognitive neuroscience research facilities available at your institution, equipped with CT and MRI machines, will be an important aspect of my mission to illuminate the mystery of the emergence of consciousness. ","label":"Expert Sample Answer","title":"Expert Sample Answer"}]" code="tab16" template="BlogArticle">

Graduate School Interview Question #17: What Do You See as the Major Trends in Your Field of Study?

Another question that inquires about your level of familiarity with the current questions and research in your field. This is your chance to showcase your knowledge! While you want to remain humble and polite, this is a question that you can prepare for and really demonstrate your level of understanding and interest in the field you are pursuing.

The final trend that I think is worth mentioning is mindfulness. Mindfulness has been given a lot more attention in recent years, especially as research continues to show the short and long-term benefits of applying mindfulness meditation and strategies to their every day lives. I recorded a study during my undergraduate studies using MRI to image the brains of people before and after they learned and applied mindfulness techniques for two months. The activation of the amygdala appeared to diminish whilst subjects performed basic everyday tasks, like studying. I think that mindfulness has a lot of potential to become a more prevalent treatment option for most anxiety-based disorders, including generalized anxiety, OCD, and PTSD. ","label":"Expert Sample Answer","title":"Expert Sample Answer"}]" code="tab17" template="BlogArticle">

Graduate School Interview Question #18: Share Your Opinion on a Current Issue in Your Field.

As you can see, a question on current trends in your field can be asked in different ways. In this case, you are asked about only one trend or issue. This means you can get really in-depth about the topic of your choosing!

I\u2019ve become an advocate to try to help mitigate some of these issues, but I think they will always be present until the government enacts more provisions, and stricter ones at that. I work for an organization that promotes resources and laws that protect nurses from violence and harassment. We have an entire domain full of downloadable resources covering workplace violence prevention policies, updates to occupational safety regulations, how to report to a supervisor, employer duties under the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and more. It\u2019s important for nurses to know their rights in these stations, ideally before they have to face them. And hopefully they never have to. ","label":"Expert Sample Answer","title":"Expert Sample Answer"}]" code="tab18" template="BlogArticle">

This is a dreaded question for those who choose to pursue a discipline that differs from the one they studied previously. But there is nothing to be afraid of! You must simply outline why you chose to pursue a different field and how your previous field prepared you for the one you are pursuing now! This is very common in all kinds of post-graduate and professional programs! Our admissions expert Aaron Schultze, JD, shares how he made his Drama major relevant for law school applications:

“I had a nontraditional major for law school (Theater & Dance). I explained how my fine arts education created a foundation for truthful storytelling and how to perform authentically. I was interested in Criminal Defense, so I explained how a degree in Theater allowed me to understand and relate to different characters in different circumstances.” – Aaron Schulze, JD, University of Texas School of Law

Brainstorm which qualities and skills you gained in previous field of study that are really valuable and useful in the new field of study you are pursuing.

The reason I decided to pursue a graduate degree in philosophy, and not English, is because I found that I enjoy reading the philosophical texts more than I did the English ones. I gradually veered toward philosophical literature, like Dostoevsky and Tolstoy, until I dived into more classic philosophy such as Plato, Descartes, Hobbes, and Kant. One of my professors, who I took advice from, suggested that if I am still reading and studying philosophy on my own time by the time I graduate, it\u2019s a good indication that I will enjoy a career in philosophy. So, while my approach is somewhat intuitive, I think that my degree in English with some background in philosophy will allow me to pursue this degree with conviction and qualification. ","label":"Expert Sample Answer","title":"Expert Sample Answer"}]" code="tab19" template="BlogArticle">

Graduate School Interview Question #20: What Do You Do for Fun?

Do not be alarmed. This is not a trick question. Grad school interviewers are also people, and these people will most likely spend a lot of time with you if you get accepted. As we already mentioned, graduate school is really about collaboration and working together with other students and faculty. These people want to get to know you and this is why they ask this question. To some extent, you can be honest with your pastimes, but try to avoid contentious or controversial topics. Feel free to reveal your volunteer engagements or activities you like to do with your family and friends. And most importantly, try to reveal in your answer a quality or a skill you think will really demonstrate your character. Tell a story, and engage your interviewers with your answer. You can even connect your pastime with your research, if possible.

My husband and I love to watch Italian cinema. Especially, films made in mid XX century. The appearance on screen of Sophia Loren, Marcello Mastroianni, Claudia Cardinale, and other stars of Italian cinema is always a celebration for us. What I love about Italian films the most are the incredibly sophisticated humor and philosophical outlook on life. Each culture has its own way of seeing the world, and I truly enjoy watching cinema from all over the world, but I find the complexities of life are addressed best in Italian movies, such as the dilemma of artistic creation and mundane reality. As I look for graduate programs in creative writing, I cannot help my reflect on the struggles of the poor Guido Anselmi from Fellini\u2019s 8 1\u20442 who, as an artist, struggled but strived to be an authentic \u201cauteur\u201d, as the French say. I too look for autonomy in creation and inspiration, and understand that only by being honest with myself and with the help of others I can achieve my goals in creative writing. This is something I look forward to in finding in your program. ","label":"Expert Sample Answer","title":"Expert Sample Answer"}]" code="tab20" template="BlogArticle">

How long does it take to typically complete this program?
Where are recent alumni employed? What do most graduates do after graduation?
What types of financial aid are offered?
What criteria are used for choosing recipients?
What opportunities are available through the program to gain practical work experience? Are there opportunities such as assistantships, fellowships or internships available? What are the deadlines to apply to these opportunities?
Are there any scholarships or internships available?

The most common grad school interview questions are “tell me about yourself”, “why do you want to pursue this program?”, and “what is your research focus?”. Keep in mind that these questions can be worded in different ways, such as “what brought you here?”, “why did you choose to apply to our program?”, or “how have you prepared for your research interest?”.

This depends on many factors, including your personality. But most students find personal questions quite difficult. Why? Because it’s often hard to talk about yourself in a professional and succinct manner.

The best way to prepare is to research sample grad school interview questions, like the ones we list in our blog, and start brainstorming talking points you can use. Then, we strongly advise you to set up mock interviews where you can practice answering questions in a realistic setting. It's also smart to check out questions asked by specific schools, for example, Stanford graduate school interview questions .

There are 3 main categories of graduate school questions: general, personal, and academic. Their differences are outlines in our blog.

No, they are not common for most graduate programs. However, programs like social work might include behavioral questions in their interview format, especially as MMI questions .

Some of the interviewers might be faculty from the department that you want to join as a grad school, some may be students from the department, but some might be faculty or professionals from a completely different field. This is why when you speak about your research, make sure to not use any jargon so they can understand you.

You should definitely research this for every school you’re applying to. Most grad schools will use the traditional format or the panel format. However, some programs may also use MMI or some other form of modified interview formats.

It really depends on the format, but anywhere from 20 minute to 1.5 hours. You must also keep in mind that if you’re invited to an interview, you might also have the opportunity to meet with peers and take a tour of the campus. So make sure to delegate a whole day to your grad school interview.

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Have a question ask our admissions experts below and we'll answer your questions.

Helen Bradley

I have applied to a PhD program that is new and the only one in the U.S. It is a PhD in palliative care at the University of Maryland, Baltimore. What would be appropriate questions to ask about the program since this is new to all?

BeMo Academic Consulting

Hello Helen! Thanks for your question. You can ask your interviewers about the mission and goals of this new program. What is the vision? Where do they want the program to advance? You can also ask how they ended up being a part of this new program. This can spark a friendly and open conversation about their interests and background. Check out our blog about the kind of questions you can ask interviewers (https://bemoacademicconsulting.com/blog/when-the-tables-turn-15-sample-questions-to-ask-your-interviewer-in-a-med-school-interview). Though they are aimed for medical school interview, you can modify these to fit your needs. Hope this helps!

Helen, you are the winner of our weekly draw. Please email us by the end of the day tomorrow (July 31) at content[at]bemoacademicconsulting.com from the same email address you used to leave your comment to claim your prize!

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How to Answer “Why Did You Pursue a PhD?” in an Interview

Why do employers ask about your PhD pursuit?

How to answer the question.

Highlight your passions and interests. Explain what sparked your interest in your field of study and how your PhD program allowed you to explore and deepen your knowledge in this area. Emphasize your enthusiasm and curiosity, as these are traits that are often valued by employers.
Discuss the specific skills and knowledge you gained. Talk about the courses you took, the research projects you worked on, and the presentations you made, and how they have prepared you for the job you are applying for. Use specific examples to illustrate the skills and knowledge you gained, and how you have applied them in the past or how you plan to apply them in the future.
Emphasize your commitment to learning and professional development. A PhD demonstrates a commitment to learning and professional development, and employers often look for candidates who are eager to continue learning and growing in their careers. Talk about your goals for the future and how you plan to stay up-to-date in your field.

How to prepare for the question

Reflect on your personal motivations. Why did you decide to pursue a PhD? What sparked your interest in your field of study? What were your goals for the future?
Think about the skills and knowledge you gained. What courses did you take? What research projects did you work on? What presentations did you make? How have these experiences prepared you for the job you are applying for?
Consider your future goals and how a PhD will help you achieve them. Do you have specific goals for your career or for your personal development? How do you plan to stay up-to-date in your field?

Common Mistakes

Focusing too much on the prestige of a PhD. While a PhD may be a prestigious degree, it's important to focus on your personal motivations and goals rather than the prestige of the degree itself. Employers are more interested in your passion for your field of study and your commitment to learning and professional development.
Not connecting your PhD to the job you are applying for. It's important to show how your PhD program has prepared you for the role you are applying for. Talk about the specific skills and knowledge you gained and how they are applicable to the job.
Not demonstrating enthusiasm or passion. A PhD is a significant undertaking, and employers often look for candidates who are passionate about their field of study. Make sure to highlight your enthusiasm and curiosity when discussing your PhD pursuit.
Not discussing your future goals. Employers often want to know that you are committed to learning and growing in your career. Be sure to discuss your future goals and how your PhD will help you achieve them.

Sample Answers

"I pursued a PhD because I have always been fascinated by the human brain and how it works. I was drawn to the opportunity to delve deeper into the field of psychology and gain a greater understanding of the complexities of the mind. My PhD program allowed me to take a range of courses and work on research projects that have helped me develop a strong foundation in the field. I am now excited to apply this knowledge and these skills to a career in research or academia."
"I pursued a PhD because I wanted to make a meaningful contribution to the field of computer science. I have always been passionate about solving complex problems and developing innovative solutions, and I saw a PhD as an opportunity to delve deeper into these areas. My program allowed me to work on a range of research projects and gain expertise in areas such as machine learning and data analytics. I am now excited to bring these skills to a career in industry or academia, where I can continue to push the boundaries of what is possible with technology."
"I pursued a PhD because I wanted to become a subject matter expert in my field and contribute to the body of knowledge in my area of study. My PhD program allowed me to delve deeply into the history, theory, and practice of education, and I am now excited to bring this knowledge to a career in academia or research. I am particularly interested in using my skills and knowledge to develop innovative approaches to teaching and learning, and I believe that a PhD has prepared me well for this goal."

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Phd interview questions: everything you need to know.

If you’re going to be studying a PhD, you will need to have an interview for your degree. We have a number of PhD interview questions to help you with your university interview.

Postgraduate degrees work a little differently from undergraduate degrees. You’ll have more of a focus on research longer form writing like dissertations.

With a PhD, you will have an interview at the beginning of the course to see if you are a good fit for the course and a good fit for the subject itself. You will be asked to complete a dissertation, project or thesis to submit to a regulatory body, which will then require you to defend your thesis.

How to answer PhD interview questions

There isn’t necessarily a hard-and-fast rule for students who are answering difficult questions in a PhD interview, but the best thing for you to do is to remain confident, relaxed and attentive. And remember, be yourself!

These are some common questions for you to be asked:

Can you tell us about yourself?

It's common in all university interviews as well as job interviews. Talk about yourself, but make it relevant to your PhD and your study-subject. Your interviewer is there to see how you will fit into university life, so the more passion you show for your course, the better it will be.

Why do you want to study a PhD?

This is one of the most common questions asked in a PhD interview and it’s a tough one to answer initially. The best thing for you to do is speak about your passion for the subject, your passion for study and your interest in a career in this area. Enthusiasm is key to answering this question. As you will be specialising in a specific area when working on your thesis, if you already have some initial ideas and it is great to showcase this too.

What are your strengths and what are your weaknesses?

Another one to add to the bumper book of Commonly Asked PhD interview questions! Again, be honest.Don't try to cut corners by listing a strength as a weakness, be honest about what you're good at and what you feel needs improvement. The best thing to do when listing a weakness is to follow it up with a short plan on how to plan to improve on it.

Why are you interested in this subject/programme?

As with being asked why you want to study a PhD, let your enthusiasm and your passion do the talking here, don't oversell things too much, but show that you have a passion for it.

What impact would you like your PhD to have?

This can feel like an odd question, but universities like to know that students know what impact their studies will have. Of course, it’s important to see how the PhD will impact you, but also think of the broader picture.

How will it potentially affect the wider world? How will it shape the subject your studying or current areas of thought within the subject area? Universities like to know how you plan to use what you've learned in a real-world context and how it adds to the field you’re studying.

Why do you think you are the right candidate for this course?

This is a pretty common question to be asked. This is generally done to see why this specific course appeals to you and what you would bring to the university if you were to study it.

Universities like to be flattered. This is a chance to speak about the excellent facilities on offer at the university, or the standard of teaching you’ve heard so much about. Maybe there’s a specific course leader or lecturer you’re looking to learn from! It’s also a chance to speak about the course content. What was it about this course, specifically, that drew you to it?

What are your future career plans?

This is again, fairly easy to answer, just tell the interviewer what you plan to do with your career and how you plan on moving forwards to achieving your goal. Make sure you mention how the PhD would aid that.

Tell us about a time that you have faced a problem and how did you deal with it?

This too is a very common question in job interviews as well, but for a PhD, it’s a bit more unlikely. That doesn’t mean it won’t get asked. Interviewers have a knack for asking a question you’re least expecting. Speak about how you have overcome any issues using some of your more impressive skills. It's best to mention something whereby your problem-solving skills led to the project succeeding.

Do you have any questions for us?

It always seems like a bizarre question, but don’t miss out on this opportunity to gain a better understanding of the PhD programme. You can ask anything you like (within reason) and you can find out more about the course. It’s not one of those questions to ask during a PhD interview that is designed to catch you out or make you look foolish, it’s purely there to give you the chance to voice a concern or to ask a question that you haven’t previously asked.

What questions to ask in a PhD interview

After you’ve answered their questions, your PhD interview is great chance to have the panel answer some of your own questions. This is also a great way to highlight your enthusiasm for the course! But what should you ask? It’s good to focus on the questions you know you’ll need answering throughout your PhD and before presenting your thesis at the very end.

These are some examples of questions to ask when in your interview.

Will I have opportunities to present or publish?

This should be a very important question to ask your PhD panel. It’s not one of the more difficult PhD interview questions, but it will nevertheless allow you to work out what the opportunities are on your course. The best PhD programmes allow you an opportunity to teach or to present your findings and to communicate your ideas.

What are the supervision arrangements for the course?

All PhDs will have arrangements of some kind. This will also show your interviewer that you have a vested interest in how the course is taught, this is one of the more common PhD interview questions, but you’d be surprised just how far it can go.

What are the funding arrangements for the project?

Funding arrangements are important to ask about. PhD funding has always been a point of contention for some universities, with most bursaries , grants and scholarships not necessarily covering the necessities at PhD level for students. That doesn’t mean there isn’t funding available so definitely ask how they can support your studies.

Are there any related programmes or events run during the course of my PhD?

This should be the number one question! Not only does it show that you are interested in the PhD, but also shows that you’re very interested in the extracurricular activities of the university and the course itself. Working on these projects might even beef up your student CV as well, and who can say no to those?

Are there any training sessions offered as part of my PhD?

This ranks pretty high in terms of good questions to ask at PhD interview as well. Again, itshows your interest in the development that the PhD can offer you and that you’are also interested in improving the skills you already have.

Make sure you ask what things that will help you the most. While it can be tempting to try and think outside the box and offer the clichéd fantasy of asking the totally left-field question, this could potentially derail the interview and not give you what you want out of the process.

Virtual interviews

More and more universities are opting for virtual interviews rather than face-to-face.

Universities will use platforms like Zoom to conduct their online interviews. If you're a student from Manchester , for example, and you're going to be studying in Plymouth , it may easier for the university to do thisvirtually.

While it’s virtual, still dress smartly - no pjs allowed! Make sure you look presentable and find a place with good signal, good lighting and has very little noise. While it may be tempting to wear a shirt on top and trackies on the bottom, we’d recommend dressing from head to toe - it can really help to put you in the right frame of mind and keep you focused.

What if I’m in the UK on an F1 Visa?

This shouldn’t affect you too much. Those on an F1 Visa , are not going to be treated any differently, so there aren’t specific F1 Visa interview questions for PhD students. One thing to do is make sure that your F1 Visa, or your J1 Visa or even your Tier 4 Student Visa , allows you to study a PhD in the UK - you’d be surprised how many students haven’t checked this!

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Example PhD interview questions and answers

How to succeed in your PhD interview with answers to frequently asked questions

The interview is a crucial and inevitable part of the PhD application process. It is an opportunity for the supervisor(s) and funding bodies (if it is a funded PhD) to determine whether you are the right candidate for the challenge that is undertaking a PhD. Although this can be a daunting process, with preparation you can go into your interview feeling confident and put your best self forward.

Interviews for PhD positions will likely involve a short presentation on the proposed research project and/or your previous research experience. You can adapt the focus of this depending on how much prior experience you have to showcase. If you have an extensive research portfolio from your BSc/MSc project or time spent in industry, do not shy away from it, especially where there is direct relevance to the project you are applying for.

Following the presentation, you will be asked questions and will also have the opportunity to ask questions of your own (we recommend having a few prepared!).

We have collated some of the questions that are frequently asked in a PhD interview, along with tips on how to answer them. But please remember, the interview process varies widely and this blog aims to provide a suggestive framework on how to answer.

“Tell us about yourself”

This is a typical opening interview question and is often used as an icebreaker. You can practice your answer to help you get off to a good start when you will be most nervous. While it might be tempting to go straight into the details of the project and your career thus far, you can ease into the interview – there will be plenty of opportunity to discuss the project later. Instead, you can focus on your academic career so far, your scientific interests (e.g., a strong interest in biochemistry), and relate them to your desire to undertake a PhD.

“Why do you want to do a PhD?”

This is an important question that you also need to ask yourself, and be convinced of the answer! A PhD is a big undertaking and having the right reasons will carry you through the potentially tough times. Example points to include here:

A professor during your undergraduate degree that inspired you
A desire to help improve the outcome of patients with a specific disease (relevant to the proposed project)
A love for science that you want to put into practice and contribute to the collective knowledge in that area
You are an inquisitive problem-solver and want to combine this with your interest in [topic].

Stay true to yourself with the reasons that motivate you to do a PhD – there is no right answer and if you have come this far you likely have the right motivations.

“Why do you want to work on this project/Why do you think this project is important”?

This is your opportunity to go into the details of the research proposal and its relevance in the wider context of the research field. This is particularly important if the project will be competing for limited funding. You want to demonstrate to the panel that this project is a worthwhile investment and has clear, impactful outcomes. You can also discuss specific techniques that will be used in your PhD, and how these are cutting-edge and are perhaps more likely to lead to a publication. If the project has potential for collaboration, highlight this and the intended outcomes.

“Why do you want to work in this research group/for this PI?”

Make sure you have thoroughly researched your supervisor’s group, and their previous publications and collaborations. Perhaps highlight a recent high-profile publication or a new technique they have recently developed. This will show your commitment and enthusiasm to join the group, as well as reflect what the group and university are proud of. A supervisor needs to know that your research goals align and that you will mesh well with the rest of the team.

“What can you bring to this group?”

This is your opportunity to showcase both your technical and soft skills. Here you can mention the research experience you already have and how these skills and ideas will enhance the lab. If you do not have much research experience, talk about how you are a fast learner (with examples) and have a keen sense of science and willingness to learn. As mentioned in the previous answer, your future supervisor will want to ensure you are a valuable addition to their team. If you are not specialized in a technique, don’t worry – you are here to learn and most people starting a PhD have limited lab experience.

“Why do you want to be at this university/on this funding program?”

A PhD is a significant time and financial commitment; the funders or members of the university need to know candidates are committed to them as well as the research. Spaces are limited and there needs to be differentiation between candidates. A tip here is to flatter your interviewers by mentioning what they are proud of about their institutions (easy to find online). Example points to mention:

A world-leading institution with an excellent publication and funding record
Research collaborations that interest you or could benefit you (e.g., close ties with clinical trials or pharmaceuticals companies)
Specific facilities or equipment the university has to offer (e.g., a super-resolution microscope)
The ethos of the university is one you closely align with
Funding programs that come with additional training and funding opportunities for internships and collaborations. Specific benefits outside of the research are the ones you will want to highlight to the funders, to show your commitment not only to the PhD but also to their investment in you.

“What makes you the right candidate for this PhD project?”

This can be a tough question to answer if you have had limited prior experience, but do not be afraid of positively selling yourself. Focus on your determination and desire to contribute to research, your drive for this project, your technical skills, your belief in the impact of the project, and how well suited you are to your supervisor/supervisor’s team.

“What would you like the impact of this project to be?”

Impact in research is mostly measured by publications or obtaining data to apply for further grants. Your ability to discuss this shows your awareness of the research world beyond the microsphere of your PhD. Research is meant to be disseminated via publications and conferences. The immediate impact of your project will not be clear-cut at the start, but you can openly discuss it, which shows a maturity that will benefit you in the interview. Essentially, you want to demonstrate that the proposed project will have an impact beyond the PhD itself and will inform future research.

“What difficulties do you expect to encounter during this project?”

Here you can discuss the specific technical challenges you have identified (e.g., I will need to optimize the culture of these primary cells or I will need to establish a new model to investigate vascular dementia in iPSCs). This shows that you have thoroughly considered the project and are not afraid of facing challenges. If you can, discuss how you plan to overcome these challenges.

“What are your strengths/weaknesses?”

This is another popular interview question and one to prepare. Personalize your answer with examples and use tools like STAR (S-situation, T-task, A-action, R-response) to structure your answer. When discussing weaknesses, you can share how you are working on these, or perhaps put a positive spin on them. Read our interview success blog for general interview tips !

“What do you want to do after your PhD?”

You may not be sure of your future career plans at the time of your interview, but it’s good to prepare a response as this is a common question. Doing a PhD sets you up for an academic career path in research and teaching. Even if this is your plan for your career, emphasize your desire to work in academia and teaching. It is also okay to say you will keep your options open to whatever paths come your way during the 4+ years of your PhD.

“Describe a time you experienced a setback and how you overcame it.”

This is a very common interview question in general and we would advise giving an example in a professional or learning setting rather than a personal one. Plan ahead and respond in a STAR format to help you give a clear and impactful answer. If a similar situation arose again and you dealt with it differently, make sure to highlight this.

“How will you keep yourself motivated throughout the project?”

You can discuss your driving factors behind wanting to do a PhD, and this project specifically. Be open to the knowledge that you will experience peaks and troughs throughout your time as a PhD student – this demonstrates to the interviewers that you’re realistic about the hardships of doing a PhD. Perhaps mention the hobbies (exercise, reading, cooking, etc.) you use to relax outside of work and ensure you maintain a healthy work-life balance.

“What are some recent publications in the field?”

This question is to ensure you have read around your project before the interview and are ready to discuss/summarize some recent publications. This shows your dedication and passion for the PhD project and your preparation for the interview.

“Do you have any questions for us?”

You should have some questions prepared to ask the interviewers. This reinforces your interest and that you are serious about the PhD.

Here are some questions you can ask:

If speaking directly to the supervisor, you can ask project-specific questions or clarifications from the research proposal
Will I have any teaching opportunities?
Are there opportunities and support available to disseminate my work (e.g., conferences, publications)?
What are the training and career development opportunities?
Are there any developments planned for the department or university?

For other tips on careers and life as an early-career researcher, please visit our ECR hub .

Blog written by Lucie Reboud, intern at Proteintech, PhD student in cancer research at the University of Manchester.

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Why Would You Want to Do a PhD?

Student perspectives on the value of a graduate degree

May 16, 2018 | Richard Z.

If you are reading this blog post, there is a good chance that you are thinking about a PhD, possibly at MIT. But MIT or not, almost every doctoral program would ask you why you are interested in their program and how it fits into your career goal. A typical answer would be:

I am interested in your PhD program because I want to do research in my area. My career goal is to become a professor at a university or research institute.

Indeed, doctoral degrees are by default the training programs for academics. You would presumably spend five years or so learning how to become a capable researcher in your academic field before applying for postdocs and eventually assistant professorships.

Things may not be so simple. The latest Doctoral Exit Survey by the MIT Career Services reveals that close to 50% of the PhD graduates in 2017 do not work in research institutes or universities immediately after graduation. Instead, they work across private and public sectors.

The “mismatch” between the program’s design to train academics and the non-academic careers pursued by many PhD graduates calls for us to revisit to the question: why on earth would you want to do a PhD? To that end, I interviewed a group of prospective, current, and graduated PhDs. The following themes popped up

Intellectual Curiosity If you are doing a PhD, you probably enjoy the subject of your program so much that you are willing to spend five or six years on it. Indeed, intellectual curiosity is common to most PhD students that I spoke with. Often it comes with little consideration to specific career choices. On this topic, Dr. F. shared his thoughts

“When I was considering my options after undergrad, the idea of getting an advanced degree and learning a topic at a deep level is very attractive to me,” said Dr. F., who got his PhD in atomic physics at MIT.

However, I asked if he had any postgraduate careers in mind when starting his PhD.

“I did not have a clear plan for what I wanted to do after graduation,” Dr. F. admitted, “But I did think that the jobs that I could pursue with an advanced degree were much more interesting than the ones with only a bachelor’s.”

After having worked at the MIT Lincoln Labs for a decade, Dr. F is now a CEO and founder of a company.

“I feel that with my PhD degree, I’ve got not only the technical tools but also enough confidence to analyze and solve the problems and deal with the unknown in my daily job.”

Non-Academic Careers It is a myth that a PhD degree only prepares you to succeed in academia. Since a doctoral program helps you develop a field specialty, it is not hard to imagine people who use their PhD training to sharpen their skills in order to work in industry. Abbas Shikari is no exception. A master’s student in mechanical engineering at MIT, he plans to extend his current program to a PhD. During our interview, he said it loud and clear,

“I would like to be a software architect for autonomous vehicles, and a PhD would help me achieve the depth of knowledge necessary to becoming a strong contributor to the field of robotics and self-driving cars.”

Formerly a supply chain manager at Fitbit, Abbas nonetheless grew unhappy with the business path that the position put him on.

“My daily job involved lots of email exchanges and small managerial tasks, and I found them quite boring,” said Abbas, “after speaking with the Fitbit engineers, I found robotics to be very interesting and technically challenging.”

“Robotics and autonomous vehicles are about to get into every aspect of our lives. I want to ride the next wave of the robotics, maturing the industry and making it more accessible to everyone. To do that I need acquire sufficient technical skills, and a PhD is my best bet.”

Feeling like the Only Choice Sometimes, pursuing a PhD can seem to be the only available choice after undergrad.

Clubs is a current PhD student at Harvard Medical School. Already featured in my previous article , she happily accepted my second interview, this time on why she pursued PhD.

“Graduate school was kind of a choice by default for me,” said Clubs, “I did not really explore different career options in undergrad. So close to graduation, I didn’t know what kind of jobs were out there for me.”

“I also didn’t feel the urge to join the workforce after my bachelor’s study, maybe because I was young and naïve,” said Clubs jokingly. “At the same time, all of my friends were studying for the GRE and applying for US graduate school. So I just followed suit. Later I got into Harvard, which was the best outcome I could have hoped for.”

During her time at Harvard, Clubs actively tried out different careers, including venture capital, biotech, and management consulting. Currently, she is interning in Shanghai at the Boston Consulting Group, one of the world’s premium consultancy firms.

“The flexibility of my PhD program leaves me lots of room for other stuff, and I did take the luxury of time to figure out exactly what I want to do with my life.”

So why do you want to pursue a PhD? I should note that I am not issuing personal judgments on anything or anyone above. After all, everyone has his or her own personal reason to pursue a doctoral degree as well as a unique expectation out of the program experience. What I’d like to mention is: it is one thing to convince the admission committees that you are a good PhD candidate, but it’s another to convince yourself that starting a doctoral program represents your best professional, intellectual, and personal interest.

So why do you want to pursue a PhD?

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System Design Interview Questions

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What is system design.

The process of establishing system aspects such as modules, architecture, components and their interfaces, and data for a system based on specified requirements is known as system design . It is the process of identifying, creating, and designing systems that meet a company’s or organization’s specific objectives and expectations. Systems design is more about system analysis, architectural patterns, APIs, design patterns , and glueing it all together than it is about coding. Because your application will be able to handle the architectural load, designing your system adequately for the requirements of your application will eliminate unnecessary costs and maintenance efforts, as well as provide a better experience for your end-users.

It’s impossible to overlook system design when it comes to tech interviews! In the interview, almost every IT giant, whether it’s Facebook, Amazon, Google, or another, asks a series of questions based on System Design concepts like scalability, load balancing, caching, and so on. So without any further adieu, let us go through the most frequently asked interview questions on System Design.

System Design Interview Questions for Freshers

1. what is cap theorem.

CAP(Consistency-Availability-Partition Tolerance) theorem says that a distributed system cannot guarantee C, A and P simultaneously. It can at max provide any 2 of the 3 guarantees. Let us understand this with the help of a distributed database system.

Consistency : This states that the data has to remain consistent after the execution of an operation in the database. For example, post database updation, all queries should retrieve the same result.
Availability : The databases cannot have downtime and should be available and responsive always.
Partition Tolerance : The database system should be functioning despite the communication becoming unstable.

The following image represents what databases guarantee what aspects of the CAP Theorem simultaneously. We see that RDBMS databases guarantee consistency and Availability simultaneously. Redis, MongoDB, Hbase databases guarantee Consistency and Partition Tolerance. Cassandra, CouchDB guarantees Availability and Partition Tolerance. Complete Video Tutorial .

2. How is Horizontal scaling different from Vertical scaling?

Horizontal scaling refers to the addition of more computing machines to the network that shares the processing and memory workload across a distributed network of devices. In simple words, more instances of servers are added to the existing pool and the traffic load is distributed across these devices in an efficient manner.
Vertical scaling refers to the concept of upgrading the resource capacity such as increasing RAM, adding efficient processors etc of a single machine or switching to a new machine with more capacity. The capability of the server can be enhanced without the need for code manipulation.

This has been demonstrated in the image below:

Horizontal scaling vs. Vertical scaling:

3. What do you understand by load balancing? Why is it important in system design?

Load balancing refers to the concept of distributing incoming traffic efficiently across a group of various backend servers. These servers are called server pools. Modern-day websites are designed to serve millions of requests from clients and return the responses in a fast and reliable manner. In order to serve these requests, the addition of more servers is required. In such a scenario, it is essential to distribute request traffic efficiently across each server so that they do not face undue loads. Load balancer acts as a traffic police cop facing the requests and routes them across the available servers in a way that not a single server is overwhelmed which could possibly degrade the application performance.

When a server goes down, the load balancer redirects traffic to the remaining available servers. When a new server gets added to the configuration, the requests are automatically redirected to it. Following are the benefits of load balancers:

They help to prevent requests from going to unhealthy or unavailable servers.
Helps to prevent resources overloading.
Helps to eliminate a single point of failure since the requests are routed to available servers whenever a server goes down.
Requests sent to the servers are encrypted and the responses are decrypted. It aids in SSL termination and removes the need to install X.509 certificates on every server.
Load balancing impacts system security and allows continuous software updates for accomodating changes in the system.

4. What do you understand by Latency, throughput, and availability of a system?

Performance is an important factor in system design as it helps in making our services fast and reliable. Following are the three key metrics for measuring the performance:

Latency : This is the time taken in milliseconds for delivering a single message.
Throughput : This is the amount of data successfully transmitted through a system in a given amount of time. It is measured in bits per second.
Availability : This determines the amount of time a system is available to respond to requests. It is calculated: System Uptime / (System Uptime+Downtime).

5. What is Sharding?

Sharding is a process of splitting the large logical dataset into multiple databases. It also refers to horizontal partitioning of data as it will be stored on multiple machines. By doing so, a sharded database becomes capable of handling more requests than a single large machine. Consider an example - in the following image, assume that we have around 1TB of data present in the database, when we perform sharding, we divide the large 1TB data into smaller chunks of 256GB into partitions called shards.

Sharding helps to scale databases by helping to handle the increased load by providing increased throughput, storage capacity and ensuring high availability.

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6. How is NoSQL database different from SQL databases?

Check out more differences here .

7. How is sharding different from partitioning?

Database Sharding - Sharding is a technique for dividing a single dataset among many databases, allowing it to be stored across multiple workstations. Larger datasets can be divided into smaller parts and stored in numerous data nodes, boosting the system’s total storage capacity. A sharded database, similarly, can accommodate more requests than a single system by dividing the data over numerous machines. Sharding, also known as horizontal scaling or scale-out, is a type of scaling in which more nodes are added to distribute the load. Horizontal scaling provides near-limitless scalability for handling large amounts of data and high-volume tasks.
Database Partitioning - Partitioning is the process of separating stored database objects (tables, indexes, and views) into distinct portions. Large database items are partitioned to improve controllability, performance, and availability. Partitioning can enhance performance when accessing partitioned tables in specific instances. Partitioning can act as a leading column in indexes, reducing index size and increasing the likelihood of finding the most desired indexes in memory. When a large portion of one area is used in the resultset, scanning that region is much faster than accessing data scattered throughout the entire table by index. Adding and deleting sections allows for large-scale data uploading and deletion, which improves performance. Data that are rarely used can be uploaded to more affordable data storage devices.

The following table lists the differences between sharding and partitioning:

8. How is performance and scalability related to each other?

A system is said to be scalable if there is increased performance is proportional to the resources added. Generally, performance increase in terms of scalability refers to serving more work units. But this can also mean being able to handle larger work units when datasets grow. If there is a performance problem in the application, then the system will be slow only for a single user. But if there is a scalability problem, then the system may be fast for a single user but it can get slow under heavy user load on the application.

9. What is Caching? What are the various cache update strategies available in caching?

Caching refers to the process of storing file copies in a temporary storage location called cache which helps in accessing data more quickly thereby reducing site latency. The cache can only store a limited amount of data. Due to this, it is important to determine cache update strategies that are best suited for the business requirements. Following are the various caching strategies available:

Cache-aside : In this strategy, our application is responsible to write and read data from the storage. Cache interaction with the storage is not direct. Here, the application looks for an entry in the cache, if the result is not found, then the entry is fetched from the database and is added to the cache for further use. Memcached is an example of using this update strategy.

Cache-aside strategy is also known as lazy loading because only the requested entry will be cached thereby avoiding unnecessary caching of the data. Some of the disadvantages of this strategy are:

In cases of a cache miss, there would be a noticeable delay as it results in fetching data from the database and then caching it.
The chances of data being stale are more if it is updated in the database. This can be reduced by defining the time-to-live parameter which forces an update of the cache entry.
When a cache node fails, it will be replaced by a new, empty node which results in increased latency.
Write-through : In this strategy, the cache will be considered as the main data store by the system and the system reads and writes data into it. The cache then updates the database accordingly as shown in the database.

The system adds or updates the entry in the cache.
The cache synchronously writes entries to the database. This strategy is overall a slow operation because of the synchronous write operation. However, the subsequent reads of the recently written data will be very fast. This strategy also ensures that the cache is not stale. But, there are chances that the data written in the cache might never be read. This issue can be reduced by providing appropriate TTL.
Add or update an entry in the cache
Write the entry into the data store asynchronously for improving the write performance. This is demonstrated in the image below:

The main disadvantage of this method is that there are chances of data loss if the cache goes down before the contents of the cache are written into the database.

Refresh-ahead : Using this strategy, we can configure the cache to refresh the cache entry automatically before its expiration.

This cache strategy results in reduced latency if it can predict accurately what items are needed in future.

10. What are the various Consistency patterns available in system design?

Consistency from the CAP theorem states that every read request should get the most recently written data. When there are multiple data copies available, there arises a problem of synchronizing them so that the clients get fresh data consistently. Following are the consistency patterns available:

Weak consistency : After a data write, the read request may or may not be able to get the new data. This type of consistency works well in real-time use cases like VoIP, video chat, real-time multiplayer games etc. For example, when we are on a phone call, if we lose network for a few seconds, then we lose information about what was spoken during that time.
Eventual consistency : Post data write, the reads will eventually see the latest data within milliseconds. Here, the data is replicated asynchronously. These are seen in DNS and email systems. This works well in highly available systems.
Strong consistency : After a data write, the subsequent reads will see the latest data. Here, the data is replicated synchronously. This is seen in RDBMS and file systems and are suitable in systems requiring transactions of data.

11. What do you understand by Content delivery network?

Content delivery network or in short CDN is a globally distributed proxy server network that serves content from locations close by to the end-users. Usually, in websites, static files like HTML, CSS, JS files, images and videos are served from CDN.

Using CDN in delivering content helps to improve performance:

Since users receive data from centres close to them as shown in the image below, they don't have to wait for long.

Load on the servers is reduced significantly as some of the responsibility is shared by CDNs.

There are two types of CDNs, they are:

Push CDNs : Here, the content is received by the CDNs whenever changes occur on the server. The responsibility lies in us for uploading the content to CDNs. Content gets updated to the CDN only when it is modified or added which in turn maximises storage by minimising the traffic. Generally, sites with lesser traffic or content work well using push CDNs.
Pull CDNs : Here new content is grabbed from the server when the first user requests the content from the site. This leads to slower requests for the first time till the content gets stored/cached on the CDN. These CDNs minimizes space utilized on CDN but can lead to redundant traffic when expired files are pulled before they are changed. Websites having heavy traffic work well when used with pull CDNs.

12. What do you understand by Leader Election?

In a distributed environment where there are multiple servers contributing to the availability of the application, there can be situations where only one server has to take lead for updating third party APIs as different servers could cause problems while using the third party APIs. This server is called the primary server and the process of choosing this server is called leader election. The servers in the distributed environment have to detect when the leader server has failed and appoint another one to become a leader. This process is most suitable in high availability and strong consistency based applications by using a consensus algorithm.

13. How do you answer system design interview questions?

Ask questions to the interviewer for clarification : Since the questions are purposefully vague, it is advised to ask relevant questions to the interviewer to ensure that both you and the interviewer are on the same page. Asking questions also shows that you care about the customer requirements.
Gather the requirements : List all the features that are required, what are the common problems and system performance parameters that are expected by the system to handle. This step helps the interviewer to see how well you plan, expect problems and come up with solutions to each of them. Every choice matters while designing a system. For every choice, at least one pros and cons of the system needs to be listed.
Come up with a design : Come up with a high-level design and low-level design solutions for each of the requirements decided. Discuss the pros and cons of the design. Also, discuss how they are beneficial to the business.

The primary objective of system design interviews is to evaluate how well a developer can plan, prioritize, evaluate various options to choose the best possible solution for a given problem.

14. What are some of the design issues in distributed systems?

Following are some of the issues found in distributed systems:

Heterogeneity : The Internet allows applications to run over a heterogeneous collection of computers and networks. There would be different types of networks and the differences are masked by the usage of standard Internet protocols for communicating with each other. This becomes an issue while designing distributed applications
Openness : Openness represents the measure by which a system can be extended and re-implemented in different ways. In distributed systems, it specifies the degree to which new sharing services can be added and made available for client usage.
Security : The information maintained in distributed systems need to be secure as they are valuable to the users. The confidentiality, availability and integrity of the distributed systems have to be maintained and this sometimes becomes a challenge.
Scalability : A system is scalable if it remains effective when there is a significant increase in the request traffic and resources. Designing a distributed system involves planning well in advance how well the system can be made scalable under varying user loads.
Failure Handling : In a distributed environment, the failures are partial, meaning if some components fail, others would still function. It becomes challenging to handle these failures as it involves identifying right components where the failures occur.

System Design Interview Questions for Experienced

1. design a global chat service like whatsapp or a facebook messenger..

Allow users to chat over the internet.
Provide support for one-on-one and group chats.
Messages need to be stored for better viewing.
Messages need to be encrypted for security purposes.
What would happen to a message if it is sent without an internet connection?
Will encrypting and decrypting increase the latency?
How are the messages sent and notified to the device?
Split database schema into multiple tables such as user table, chat table, massage table etc.
Make use of web sockets for bi-directional communication between the device and the server.
Make use of push notifications for notifying the members even if they are online.

2. How do you design a URL shortening service like TinyURL or bit.ly?

TinyURL or bit.ly takes a long URL and generates a new unique short URL. These systems are also capable of taking the shortened URL and returning the original full URL.

Generate a short URL having a length shorter than the original URL.
Store the original URL and map it to the shortened one.
Allow redirects in the shortened URLs.
Support custom names for short URLs.
Handle multiple requests at the same time.
What if two users input the same custom URL?
What happens if there are more user load than expected?
How do you regulate the database storage space?
The concept of hashing can be used for linking original and new URLs.
REST API can be used for balancing high traffic and handling front-end communication.
Multithreading concept for handling multiple requests at the same time.
NoSQL databases for storing original URLs.

3. Design a forum-like systems like Quora, Reddit or HackerNews.

These sites are meant for posting questions and answering them, showing newsfeed highlighting popular questions based on tags and related topics.

Users should be able to create public posts and apply tags to them.
Posts should be sortable based on tags.
Post comments in real-time by users.
Display posts on newsfeed based on followed tags.
Should it be just a web application?
Where to store the uploaded images and links?
How can you determine the related tags?
How can you distribute posts across a server network?
Check on using SQL database for mapping relational data between users, posts, comments, likes, tags, posts etc.
Incorporate multithreading and load balancer for supporting high traffic.
Make use of sharding for distributing the data across different systems.
Incorporate machine learning algorithms for finding correlations between the tags.

4. Design Facebook’s newsfeed system.

Facebook’s newsfeed allows users to see what is happening in their friend's circle, liked pages and groups followed.

Generate newsfeed using posts from other system entities that the user follows.
Newsfeed posts can be of text, image, audio or video format.
Append new posts to the user’s newsfeed in close to real-time.
What happens if the new post sees a lot of latency to get appended to the news feed?
Can the algorithm handle sudden user load?
What posts should take priority for displaying in the news feed?
Evaluate the process of fanout for publishing posts to the followers
Check how sharding can be achieved efficiently for handling heavy user load. The feed data of a user shouldn't be put into multiple servers. Instead, sharding can be done on user ids.

5. Design a parking lot system?

The parking lot can have multiple levels where each level has multiple rows for parking spots.
The parking lot can support parking for cars, buses, motorcycles hence spots can be of multiple sizes.
Consider the parking lot capacity at the time of designing the system.
Design appropriate pricing for each parking spot.
What should happen to the parking lot system if every spot is occupied?
Assigning parking lot spots of smaller size to vehicles of a bigger size.
Think of an algorithm for assigning an appropriate parking spot to a vehicle.
Think of different entities required for designing the system.

6. How do you design a recommendation system?

Recommendation systems are used for helping users identify what they want efficiently by assisting them by offering various choices and alternatives based on their history or interests.

Discuss what kind of recommendation system is required - whether it is for movies, e-commerce websites, songs etc.
Figure out how to recommend fresh and relevant content in real-time.
Discuss how to use the Eval component for understanding the working of the system.
Discuss how to train a collaborative filtering approach.

7. Design an API Rate Limiter system for GitHub or Firebase sites.

API Rate Limiters limit the API calls that a service receives in a given time period for avoiding request overload. This question can start with the coding algorithm on a single machine to the distributed network.

What is the required request count per hour or second? Let us assume that the requirement can be 10 requests per second.
Should the limiter notify the user if the requests are blocked?
The limiter should handle traffic suitable according to the scale.
How to measure the requests per given time?
How to design the rate limiter for the distributed systems when compared to a local system?
Evaluate the usage of sliding time windows for avoiding hourly resets.
Try using a counter integer instead of a request for saving space.

8. How do you design global file storage and file sharing services like Google Drive, Dropbox etc?

Users should be able to upload, delete, share and download files over the web.
File updates should be synced across multiple devices.
Where to store the files?
How can you handle updates? Should the files be re-uploaded or does just the modified version has to be updated?
How to handle updation of two documents at the same time?
Consider using chunking for splitting files into multiple sections for supporting re-uploads of a particular section rather than the whole file.
Make use of cloud storage for storing the files.

9. Design a type-ahead search engine service.

This service partially completes the search queries by displaying n number of suggestions for completing the query that the user intended to search.

Service has to match partial queries with popularly searched queries.
The system has to display n number of suggestions (say 5, for example) based on the written query.
The suggestions have to be updated based on the query updation.
How to update the suggestions without much latency?
How to determine the most likely suggestion?
Are the suggestions adapting to the user’s search results?
When do the suggestions appear? Is it updated on the fly or once the user stops writing?
Evaluate the usage of natural language processing for anticipating the next characters.
Markov chain rule for ranking the probabilities of top queries.

10. Design Netflix.

Netflix is a video streaming service.

Uninterrupted video streaming to be made available for the users.
Likes and reviews of videos.
Recommend new videos.
Support high traffic of users.
Is it acceptable to have lags while uploading videos?
What happens if many users are accessing the same video concurrently?
Make use of cloud technology to store and transmit video data
There are three components of Netflix: OC (Content Delivery Network), Backend database, Client device for accessing the application.

11. Design Tic-Tac-Toe game.

Tic-tac-toe game involves two players where one player chooses 0 and the other player chooses X for marking the cells. The player who fills a row/column/diagonal with their selected character wins.

Support 2 player game where one player can be a computer.
Design algorithm to calculate the win and loss results.
What happens if both players play optimally?
How to decide the winning strategy?
If one player is a computer, then make use of the rand() method for ensuring moves are completely random.

12. Design a traffic control system.

Generally, in a traffic control system, we see that the lights transition from RED To GREEN, GREEN to ORANGE and then to RED.

Transition traffic lights based on the conventions.
Determine the time interval for which the state of the traffic lights has to change.
What happens in worst-case scenarios where the state is wrongly shown?
Make use of state design patterns and scheduling algorithms for the transition of the state from one colour to another.

13. Design Web Crawler.

The Web crawler is a search engine-related service like Google, DuckDuckGo and is used for indexing website contents over the Internet for making them available for every result.

Design and develop a Scalable service for collecting information from the entire web and fetching millions of web documents.
Fresh data has to be fetched for every search query.
How to handle the updates when users are typing very fast?
How to prioritize dynamically changing web pages?
Look into URL Frontier Architecture for implementing this system.
Know how crawling is different from scraping.

14. Design ATM system.

ATMs are used for depositing and withdrawing money from customers. It is also useful for checking the account balance.

Each user should have at least one bank account that is linked to the card for performing transactions.
ATM to authenticate the user based on 4 digit PIN associated with the card.
User to perform only one transaction at a given time.
What happens during transaction timeout?
What happens if the money is deducted from the bank account but the user hasn't received it from the machine?
Divide the problem into different entities like Card, Card Reader etc and establish a relationship between each of the entities.

15. Design Uber, Ola or Lyft type of systems.

These platforms help user request rides and the driver picks them up from the location and drop them at the destination selected by the user.

Real-time service for booking rides
Should have the capability of assigning rides that lets the user reach the destination fast.
Show the ETA (Estimated Time of Arrival) of the driver after booking the ride and once the ride has been started, show the ETA of the vehicle arriving at the destination.
How to store geographical locations for drivers always on move?
How to assign drivers to the customers efficiently?
How do you calculate the ETA of the driver arrival or the destination arrival?
Make use of the microservices concept with fast databases for booking rides faster.
Evaluate Dispatch System for assigning drivers to the users.

Conclusion:

In this article, we have covered the most frequently asked interview questions on System Design. The key element to clear a System Design interview is that you should have a clear understanding of the approach that you are taking while designing a particular system. For instance, in a system, if you choose to store the data in a No SQL database, you should be clear with the reason that made you choose a No SQL database over a SQL database. You should be clear with the differences between SQL and No SQL databases. In other words, every proposition of yours must be backed by some logical reasoning. This will give you an edge in your interviews.

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System Design MCQ

In a System Design interview, which of the following options would be the correct sequence to follow?

Statements:

Statement I: Specifying the key features to be included.
Statement II: Discuss each feature one by one.
Statement III: Clarifying any doubts with regards to the question asked.
Statement IV: Clarifying if any other feature needs to be incorporated.

Which strategy can help you configure the cache to refresh the cache entry automatically before its expiration?

Which of the following options can be a design issue in a distributed system?

Which of the following is not a cache update strategy available in caching?

Which of the following options is correct about horizontal scaling and vertical scaling?

Which of the following options is not a consistency pattern available in system design?

Which of the following options is an important factor in determining the performance of a system?

Which of the following options is correct about load balancing?

Which of the following is not true about a strong consistency pattern?

Which of the following statements is/are true about sharding?

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The Exit Interviews

Twelve departing lawmakers tell us what Congress is really like.

Even the insiders are fed up with Washington. To understand why, we put the same eight questions to House and Senate members in both parties who are on the way out, looking for patterns and prescriptions to get a handle on the place. Corruption, money, perks, frustrations, solutions — hear what they said about it all.

What’s one word you would use to describe Congress today?

Is Congress corrupt?

What was your most frustrating experience?

What’s the best perk of the job?

Did you make a difference?

What should a Congress member’s salary be?

What worries you the most about the future?

How do you fix Congress?

Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.), Rep. Ken Buck (R-Colo.), Rep. Larry Bucshon (R-Ind.), Rep. Tony Cárdenas (D-Calif.), Sen. Benjamin L. Cardin (D-Md.), Sen. Thomas R. Carper (D-Del.), Rep. Anna G. Eshoo (D-Calif.), Rep. Dan Kildee (D-Mich.), Rep. Derek Kilmer (D-Wash.), Rep. Doug Lamborn (R-Colo.), Rep. Grace F. Napolitano (D-Calif.), Rep. John Sarbanes (D-Md.)

Producer Amanda Su

Editor Alexander Stockton

Cinematography Elliot deBruyn

Additional Production Lindsay Crouse

Design and Development Ana Becker, Frank Augugliaro

Associate Producer Emily Holzknecht

Senior Producer Jonah M. Kessel

Executive Producer Adam B. Ellick

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Trump on political violence in 2024: 'If we don't win, you know, it depends'

Donald Trump speaks to the media at the end of the day after he appeared in court

Former President Donald Trump said in a new interview with Time m agazine that he doesn't think there will be political violence around the 2024 election because he believes he'll win — but that it "always depends on the fairness of an election."

The comments came along with a statement that Trump would "consider" pardoning every person who has been charged or convicted for rioting at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, after the then-president rallied his followers against what he has repeatedly and baselessly called a "rigged" election.

Trump also answered questions digging into his campaign position on abortion policy being left up to the states — and deflecting questions pressing him on any potential federal action, including his position on whether abortion medication should be available. And Trump reinforced past statements he has made on Russia doing “whatever the hell they want” to NATO countries who don’t pay their “fair share” and the extent of a military crackdown he plans to order on illegal immigration.

When Trump was asked in an initial interview about the prospect of more political violence in 2024, after the events following the 2020 election, he said no. "I think we're gonna have a big victory. And I think there will be no violence," Trump said.

But asked in a follow-up conversation about what will happen if he doesn't win, Trump was equivocal.

"Well, I do think we're gonna win," Trump answered. "We're way ahead. I don't think they'll be able to do the things that they did the last time, which were horrible. Absolutely horrible. So many, so many different things they did, which were in total violation of what was supposed to be happening. And you know that and everybody knows that. We can recite them, go down a list that would be an arm’s long. But I don't think we're going to have that. I think we're going to win. And if we don't win, you know, it depends. It always depends on the fairness of an election."

Trump also said that he'd be reluctant to hire people for a second administration who thought President Joe Biden won the 2020 election: "I wouldn’t feel good about it," he said.

On the people charged and convicted of violent acts as Congress was preparing to certify the 2020 election results on Jan. 6, 2021, Trump complained that they've faced a "two-tier system" but, when pressed, said, "I would consider that, yes," when asked if he'd consider pardoning every single person prosecuted for their actions on Jan. 6.

'The states are going to have to be comfortable or uncomfortable, not me'

Trump's rare long-form interview included him talking through his position on leaving abortion policy up to states. When asked directly if he was comfortable with states deciding to punish women who access abortions after the designated state-specific ban, Trump said: “I don’t have to be comfortable or uncomfortable. The states are going to make that decision. The states are going to have to be comfortable or uncomfortable, not me.”

Then, asked if women’s pregnancies should be monitored by state governments to ensure they don’t get abortions after a certain timeline ban, Trump said: "I think they might do that. Again, you’ll have to speak to the individual states.”

Trump also dodged on the question of whether women should have access to abortion pills. As the interviewer noted that Republican allies of Trump have called "for enforcement of the Comstock Act, which prohibits the mailing of drugs used for abortions by mail," Trump said he will be making a statement later but declined to outline his position.

"I will be making a statement on that over the next 14 days," Trump said. In the follow-up interview on April 27, Time noted that Trump had not yet made the statement even though two weeks had passed.

"I’ll be doing it over the next week or two," Trump said. "But I don't think it will be shocking, frankly. But I'll be doing it over the next week or two."

Trump recently said that it should also be up to individual states to determine any penalty for doctors who perform abortions outside state law. He labeled a question about what he'd do on potential federal legislation on abortion a hypothetical "because it won't happen. You're never going to have 60 votes."

'I can see myself using the National Guard and, if necessary, I’d have to go a step further'

When asked about immigration, Trump reiterated a consistent campaign promise to use the U.S. military to remove undocumented immigrants from the country.

And Trump said he'd be willing to use other parts of the U.S. military besides the National Guard to address issues inland as well as the border, saying, “I can see myself using the National Guard and, if necessary, I’d have to go a step further." When the interviewer noted the law preventing the deployment of the military against civilians, Trump claimed undocumented immigrants weren't civilians and said: "These are people that aren’t legally in our country. This is an invasion of our country."

Trump has previously vowed to relocate thousands of overseas U.S troops to the southern border to crack down on border security as well as promising to terminate “every open border policy of the Biden administration.”

The Biden campaign responded Tuesday, criticizing both Trump's record and his campaign rhetoric.

"He isn’t just committing to reimplement the cruel, systematic policies of ripping away mothers from their children from his time in office — he’s pledging to go further by using the military and law enforcement to enact his cruel, anti-American, and ineffective immigration policies," campaign co-chair Veronica Escobar said in a statement. She added that Americans "want solutions at our border, not more sick political stunts that come at the expense of the most vulnerable and with an embrace of authoritarianism."

Trump also floated the idea of migrant detention camps, calling it a "possibility" but something he hopes "we shouldn’t have to do very much of."

At the core of Trump's immigration promises over the last year is the use of local law enforcement, though policy specifics surrounding the idea have been scarce.

When asked to clarify, Trump proposed “police immunity from prosecution” and left the door open to possible incentives from the federal government for state and local police departments.

'If you’re not going to pay, then you’re on your own'

On international affairs, Trump again dug in on recent comments that Russia could “do whatever the hell they want” to NATO countries who do not “pay up” what he deems are appropriate military expenses.

Trump told Time, “Yeah, when I said that, I said it with great meaning, because I want them to pay. I want them to pay up. That was said as a point of negotiation. I said, Look, if you’re not going to pay, then you’re on your own. And I mean that."

Trump also backed up comments that he wouldn’t “give a penny” to Ukraine unless other European countries started supporting Ukraine in “equalizing” amounts.

"I said I wouldn't give unless Europe starts equalizing," Trump said. "They have to come. Europe has to pay. We are in for so much more than the European nations. It's very unfair to us. And I said if Europe isn't going to pay, who are gravely more affected than we are, if Europe is not going to pay, why should we pay?"

Trump also conceded that a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians looks “very, very tough" and said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has "rightfully" been criticized for the fact that Hamas was able to attack Israel on Oct. 7.

Jake Traylor is a 2024 NBC News campaign embed.

Scott Bland is a senior politics editor in the NBC News Political Unit.

Opinion The New York Times, alone in its outrage over access to Biden

The White House is helping set a new norm, and a dubious one at that.

News releases on the New York Times Co. website generally announce promotions, new products, awards and the like. So the statement from a Times spokesperson posted to the site on April 25 stood out : “For anyone who understands the role of the free press in a democracy, it should be troubling that President Biden has so actively and effectively avoided questions from independent journalists during his term,” said the release, which followed a Politico article about a beef between the White House and the Times .

Those “independent journalists” include Times journalists, who have sought an interview with the president, with no luck whatsoever. But the newspaper’s statement made clear that it wasn’t lobbying just for itself. Times Publisher A.G. Sulzberger, said the Times, has “repeatedly urged the White House to have the president sit down with The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, Reuters, CNN and other major independent news organizations that millions of Americans rely on to understand their government.”

In a statement provided to me, the White House counters that Biden is speaking to the American public through an “all-of-the-above” communications strategy.

The takeaway from this spat is twofold. One: The Times is correct; the data is on its side. Two is that the Times is standing on an island with its outrage, without supporting words from other news organizations contending with Biden’s hard-to-get status. “I think this is a norm that matters,” said Sulzberger in a Tuesday interview with me. “And all our experience shows that when norms like this erode, especially a norm as uncomfortable as the discipline of answering probing questions from independent journalists, they rarely return.”

Numbers tell the story of Biden’s aversion to the Washington press corps. Martha Joynt Kumar, professor emerita of political science at Towson University and director of the White House Transition Project, has been studying presidential interactions with journalists since the Ford administration. Her data examines three categories: press conferences (formal sessions in which reporters fire questions at the president and, frequently, another foreign leader), interviews (one-on-one exclusives for journalists), and “informal Q-and-A sessions” (instances in which the president answers questions from reporters after an event or similar situations).

The following charts compare Biden’s performance on media accessibility from the start of his term until April 30, alongside the corresponding numbers for his predecessors over the same period of their first terms.

In its statement, the Times sums up the data by accusing Biden of doing “far fewer press conferences and sit-down interviews with independent journalists than virtually all of his predecessors.” In recent months, however, Biden has switched into hurry-up mode, clocking more than 30 interviews in the first four months of 2024 alone, or more than a quarter of his total. He’s also prolific in the short Q-and-A format, though those moments tend to fall a bit short of accountability journalism. Which is not to say they don’t occasionally produce memorable exchanges:

“Are you abandoning Israel?” Biden was asked on April 5 prior to a departure on Marine One. “Where you from, man?” responded the president.

Deputy White House press secretary Andrew Bates issued this statement on the criticism: “President Biden is taking his message to the American people through an aggressive, modern, all-of-the-above communications and digital strategy that highlights how he’s fighting for families and their values — through frequent back and forths with the White House press corps, ramped-up interviews, and speeches across the country, as well as conversations with everyday Americans, digital content creators, and podcasts. He’s speaking directly to the entire country about building an economy centered on the middle class instead of MAGAnomics and protecting our freedoms from extremism, including through interviews that have ranged from sit-downs with the New Yorker, Pro Publica, and Fareed Zakaria GPS, to call-ins to Black and Latino radio stations across the country, to every broadcast network.”

Especially NBCUniversal networks. From the start of his presidency through March 9 of this year, according to Kumar, Biden did 52 television interviews, 18 of which were within the NBCUniversal family — though only one of them was with “NBC Nightly News.” Seven went to MSNBC, where Biden’s commentary sounded a lot like the commentary of the talking heads who preceded and followed him. Six went to the “Today” show and one to “Late Night With Seth Meyers,” where Biden was not knocked off of his talking points! (The three others were Telemundo, “The Tonight Show” and CNBC.)

Many print outlets, which produce a lot of the news recycled on the TV outlets favored by the White House, would be happy for a single sit-down with Biden. Yet there were a mere eight interviews with print outlets — including People , Vogue , the New Yorker and the Associated Press — in Biden’s term through March 9, according to Kumar’s data.

Who agrees with Sulzberger that there’s a problem here? I asked shutout papers The Post, the Wall Street Journal and USA Today — as well as TV outlets that have interviewed the president (ABC News, NBC News/MSNBC, CBS News and CNN) — whether the situation merited a public statement along the lines of the Times’s. Not a single outlet responded with an endorsement of the Times’s message. Fox News, an outlet highly critical of the Biden administration, said only that it has a “standing request” for an interview. “Our desire to conduct an interview stands, and we’d welcome the possibility, but we do not plan to advocate for this in a public forum,” writes Lark-Marie Antón, chief communications officer for Gannett. USA Today, The Post, the Times and all the networks typically prod the White House again and again for interviews.

Speculation alert: These news organizations didn’t explain their reticence, though there are many lame justifications for it. One is that they perceive the issue to be a spat between the White House and the Times, even though bigger issues are at stake. Another is that they don’t want to be perceived as following the Times. Yet another is that they hold out hope that their interview requests will actually bear fruit in the coming weeks, considering that the White House has accelerated the rate at which it is allowing interviews. And last is that these big, bureaucratic organizations are just risk-averse at every level. Leave well enough alone.

Says Sulzberger: “I think our industry should speak out about this.” The “industry," however, doesn’t pay lobbyists to go to the White House and arrange interviews. There is the White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA), a nonprofit that works toward a “strong free press” and “robust coverage” of the presidency. Though much of the group’s work revolves around important logistical considerations as the media seeks to monitor the president in an array of domestic and international appearances, it does push White House officials behind the scenes to secure more face time with the president for journalists. It also occasionally issues public statements when things get rocky, as it did when the Trump White House in 2019 curtailed press briefings.

WHCA President Kelly O’Donnell sent me a diplomatic statement addressing the White House’s record: “The White House Correspondents’ Association advocates for press access every day. We raise these issues directly and repeatedly with the White House and much of that advocacy is done quietly. We also raise these concerns in public forums such as the daily press briefings. We believe there is a strong public interest in regular press conferences and a variety of media interviews where the president can communicate his views and respond to specific questions of importance to the American people.”

The Times, The Post and other outlets at the front of the White House Briefing Room spend gobs of money covering Biden’s travels and monitoring events at the White House. They are poised to ask strong questions and fashion the appropriate follow-ups. “If you don’t like the New York Times’s coverage, don’t give us an interview,” Sulzberger says. “But give an interview to the Washington Post, which you have refused to sit down with. Give an interview to the Wall Street Journal, which you have refused to sit down with. Give an interview to Reuters, which you have refused to sit down with. And if you don’t like the coverage of any of those organizations, I think that raises a broader question of whether you just want to avoid press scrutiny.”

If you can’t get an interview, you might have to settle for what’s known as the “ hallway grab ,” where an enterprising reporter corrals the president for a question or two. CNN’s Kaitlan Collins scored two of these coups — one in January 2021 and another in April 2022, according to Kumar, bumping the network’s total number of Biden interviews to seven. I asked CNN for a brief interview on Collins’s heroics, but its PR department rejected the request. Perhaps the White House strategy is catching on.

An earlier version of this column misspelled Seth Meyers's name. This version has been updated.

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Michigan AD Warde Manuel exclusive interview: Addressing Mel Pearson, football controversies

This is Part 2 of the Free Press' exclusive interview with Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel. Here, he addresses how he handled the eventual firing of hockey coach Mel Pearson, discusses the personnel issues with the football program, and what happened with former basketball player Zavier Simpson and the car registered to his family. This story has been edited for brevity:

'Never like it when we have issues with any of our teams'

Garcia: You mentioned there has been some lowlights and I want to go over some of those headlines just from the past couple of years as well.

Manuel: Yeah, sure.

Garcia: Mel Pearson was not retained as hockey coach after an outside investigation found problems with the program's culture. Juwan Howard was suspended, by you, for five games for smacking Wisconsin assistant . Michigan football was placed on probation for three years by the NCAA for recruiting sanctions. And, Michigan football still under investigation by the NCAA for sign stealing. Now, when you hear those headlines, what do you think?

Manuel: Don’t like it. Never like it when we have issues with any of our teams. But the other thing I think about is we deal with it. We don’t run away from it, we don’t put our head in the sand. We address it, we deal with it and we keep moving forward. But I never, look, I don’t know anyone, and I’d love to be perfect, Tony, I promise you I would love for perfection, but I’m in a business and we’re in a world where we have to deal with people. Young people, 950, they keep rotating, classes graduate, new classes come in. We have issues that we deal with that are very, very public because it’s athletics.

But it’s one of those things that we address, we don’t hide from it and we improve. That’s what we’re trying to do. With all of that you mentioned? Trying to continue to improve to make sure that we move forward in the right way.

Garcia: It seems sometimes on the outside when there is an instance, that you will perhaps give the minimum statement that requires to address it and then not address it any further. Could you see how some may feel that some of these things have been sort of, to use your phrase, "head in the sand"?

PART 1: Michigan AD Warde Manuel exclusive interview: The hardest thing he has done in career

Manuel: No, absolutely not. We don’t talk about, I don’t talk about personnel stuff outside and I don’t talk about how I’m dealing with people except what I need to say. So, these issues for me are just part of what we deal with. But I’m not going to deal with it in public either. Because, A. If it deals with a student athlete it depends what I have to say about it, or if it deals with a staff it depends on what I can say about it. So, just because I don’t make comments and tell everybody every detail doesn’t mean I’m putting my head in the sand. It’s just not the case.

Garcia: Could you explain why you don’t feel the need to explain yourself?

Manuel: Because sometimes I can’t, Tony. Sometimes it’s a personnel issue that I can’t explain, publicly. That I can’t give the details to. Sometimes it’s a FERPA issues with a student-athlete that I can’t explain the details to. Sometimes it’s HIPAA laws, I mean, it depends on what the situation is but I don’t need to have a conversation with a staff or student-athlete and then regurgitate that to the media or everybody outside.

I don’t know about you, but if your editor had a issue with you I’m sure you wouldn’t want to see it on the front page of the Detroit newspapers and social media and everything else. So why am I held to a different standard than what people expect at their own jobs? People have rights in other words and people have a right for me to have private, confidential conversations with them and only have to speak to what I need to speak to publicly, without disclosing everything we discuss.

Unanswered questions: Zavier Simpson's crash, Mel Pearson's dismissal

Garcia: I had a few questions I had not heard answers to, the first, what was the reason former point guard Zavier Simpson was driving a car registered to your family name when he crashed and then misidentified himself to the police around 3 a.m. on January 26, 2020?

Manuel: Because my son lent the car that he had to him. He’s a friend of Zavier’s and that’s why he had the car. Against our conversation with our son as it relates to loaning the car out to anybody. So it was my child with a car in our name, in my wife’s name that we bought for him, and he loaned it out to somebody who he was a friend with. So all the other aspects of that, you would have to ask Zavier . It’s been talked about, whatever it was, but I can tell you why he was in that car, but it wasn’t because we said he could be driving the car. We told our son not to let anybody drive the car.

Garcia: Do you feel it was handled properly afterwards?

Manuel: Oh, it was handled by me with my son. The police and everybody else would have to talk about how they handled it, that’s not my jurisdiction. But I did deal with my son on that issue and I feel it was handled properly with my son, yes.

Garcia: Why did it take three months, after a 68-page WilmerHale report from the investigation into the hockey program , for you to not retain Mel Pearson? Why did it take those three months?

Manuel: Because there was internal discussion going on about the report and about what was going on in the program that we had to review. Again, it wasn’t something that we were not discussing internally and within the university. So, those things don’t automatically, you don’t get a report and just "here’s the decision we’re going to make" the next day. You have conversations, discussions and that’s what happened with that. Some of those take time because of schedules and those kids of things, but three months or two months or eight months, to me it’s an issue of process and going through it.

Garcia: I think the timing is in question because the findings of that report because public earlier that week that you let him go.

Manuel: Understood.

Garcia: The report seemed to express there were concerns over the program.

Manuel: There were concerns, yeah, absolutely, there’s no doubt.

Garcia: So what was the hold up?

Manuel: I just told you what the hold up was, Tony. I don’t understand (why) you don’t understand or maybe people don’t understand that these things take time. Whether it had the appearance that it happened after the article came out, it was in discussion throughout that timeframe. So timing is what it is.

'I see why people would say there's issues ... but issues we've dealt with immediately'

Garcia: Moving back toward the football program, since last January, former offensive coordinator Matt Weiss was fired for computer crimes , staffer Shemmy Schembechler was forced to resign days after he was hired when insensitive social media posts surfaced, linebacker coach Chris Partridge was fired for not abiding by university directive to not discuss an ongoing investigation and since last month former defensive line coach Greg Scruggs and Denard Robinson were arrested for allegedly driving while intoxicated. Is there perhaps an issues with the vetting process? Or how would you explain why there have been a number of incidents in one program?

Manuel: Because of decisions that people made themselves and that we dealt with. I mean, the vetting process has adapted and changed, yes, because of some of those things. But in four of them, or two of them I should say out of the five, there weren’t any issues with background or any issues that popped up. We found out about things after somebody was hired, then found out about after an incident and we have corrected that as it relates to the process we go through with the outside firm that the university has to review.

So each situation has popped up because of what other people have done and then we dealt with it, I dealt with it, the university dealt with it, to put things in place to catch that earlier in the process, but we deal with that as those things pop up.

Garcia: Put me in your shoes. I’m finding out about these things through different ways, right? I imagine you’re hearing it much more directly, or in some cases indirectly. What’s going on in your mind when you hear these things I’ve listed? It’s a long list. What do you think when ...

Manuel: I think it was five right?

Garcia: Well right.

Manuel: It depends on what you mean by long list.

Garcia: Well it’s not just football, if I may. There’s been incidents in football, but we haven’t gotten to Juwan (Howard’s), situation yet, then hockey. Do you see why some would call this a systemic problem?

Manuel: I see why people would say there are issues that have happened in this athletic department, but it’s issues that we’ve dealt with immediately. So, it’s easy to pick on athletics and say, "this department has problems." Some of the things you bring up happen throughout this university (and others) and you all don’t know. Because you don’t know a professor, or somebody who works at the hospital. We don’t have an education page and a hospital page where you’re checking every time, every morning as a check of who was arrested and who wasn’t to see if their name’s on it.

I’m not happy with any of the things you brought up, but we also deal with them and we deal with them straight up and get to the bottom of it and make decisions that need to be made. So I’m not happy with things that happen, but I also don’t run from them and we deal with them.

Garcia: And you stand by how you’ve handled them?

Manuel: Yeah, for the most part, yeah. I mean, look —

Garcia: Well what wouldn’t you (stand by)? If it’s for the most part.

Manuel: I’m saying, listen, anything can be torn apart. But it’s, I look at things Tony and I say, "how can I have put something in place so that we were better, so that we didn’t have these issues? What is missing?" Sometimes we have things that are missing and sometimes we don’t. We have talked to people about things. I don’t know about you and you could tell me, since you’re asking me questions I’m going to ask you a question. You ever been in a meeting with your boss, the editor or somebody at the paper that said “don’t commit a crime?" Anybody ever did that in your work, to tell you that?

Garcia: I think it goes with out saying.

Manuel: Absolutely — goes without saying. My point is, these people made decisions, not me encouraging them or leading them to those decisions. All I can do is deal with them when it happens. We have had people make wrong decisions and we deal with them.

Football scandal: 'We didn't compromise our image about who we are'

Garcia: The Michigan football program is on probation right now after your department acknowledged football coaches and staff had impermissible contact with recruits and there’s another investigation, and I know there are things you cannot talk about. Did Michigan compromise its image in this process of winning a national championship?

Manuel: No, we made mistakes. But we didn’t compromise our image about who we are. Tony, I guess I’m going to say to all the things you brought up, and maybe this is how I was raised and I look at life: when you have problems that happen, you deal with them. But that doesn’t necessarily change the people or place to make them bad people, or a bad place. It simply means that in some ways, you’re human. In some ways, we have faults and make mistakes. But we have to deal with them.

And so you know, not knowing where your questions were going good or bad, I will just tell you what I’m proud of in this department and in this university we face things head on. Whether you guys know every detail about every detail about how we’re addressing them; it’s being addressed. So that is where my focus is when things like this occur.

Garcia: I wanted a positive pivot and more questions about the future but we’re running out of time so —

Manuel: I know you’ll throw positive and I know you’ll talk about the issues. So, I’m just gonna say this is what bothers me, the only question that bothers me is any insinuation in that question about my son and Zavier in that car. And here’s the reason why; when I was here in school, I borrowed friends cars. Now, nothing happened. I don’t know about you when you were in school if you ever borrowed a friends car. And I told my son, my wife told our son "don’t give it out to anybody" because why? It’s not insured for other people, other than you and people in this family.

But he did. And something that happened. But these questions, it really bothers me, not because of you Tony, but the insinuation on social media and the negative comments about my wife because her name was on the car — toward Zavier. That my wife gave Zavier the car. That, to me, three years later why is that an issue? But that’s the only question I had issue (with),

Garcia: It was just because I hadn’t heard the answer to it, I was not trying to insinuate anything.

Manuel: No, I know, I got it.

Coming Sunday: The final part of our conversation with Manuel, where the athletic director discusses U-M's unique position within the world of the transfer portal and what the future may hold for him in his position.

Contact Tony Garcia: [email protected] . Follow him at @realtonygarcia .

Bonza budget airline in administration as flights across the country cancelled

Embattled regional airline Bonza has gone into administration after cancelling flights across the country on Tuesday and stranding potentially thousands of passengers.

Documents filed with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) reveal Bonza Aviation Pty Ltd was at 3.25pm declared "externally administered", with accounting and advisory firm Hall Chadwick appointed to the role.

In a media release on Tuesday afternoon, Hall Chadwick confirmed Bonza's fleet would be grounded until Thursday, May 2.

Virgin Australia, Qantas and Jetstar have offered complimentary seats, where available, on their flights to passengers stranded mid-journey on Tuesday.

Bonza chief executive Tim Jordan released a statement on Tuesday morning saying all services would be "temporarily suspended" while discussions were held about the ongoing viability of the business.

The airline has not responded to requests for comment, but has published a statement on its website and app apologising to affected customers.

"We’re working as quickly as possible to determine a way forward that ensures there is ongoing competition in the Australian domestic aviation market," the statement reads.

Early Bonza flights in and out of its base on Queensland's Sunshine Coast, along with Melbourne legs to Rockhampton, Gladstone and Tamworth, were all cancelled on Tuesday morning.

Three Bonza planes were parked on the tarmac at Sunshine Coast Airport on Tuesday, including a Boeing 737-MAX aircraft named Bruce, which had been leased from Canadian low-cost airline Flair to fly in Australia.

Bonza's financial position has been the subject of intense speculation since its first flight early last year.

"The discussions regarding ongoing trading are occurring over the forthcoming days and the administrators will be in a position to update all stakeholders as the matter progresses," Hall Chadwick said.

Passengers stranded

Rona Wall caught a shuttle bus to the Sunshine Coast airport early on Tuesday morning hoping to catch a flight to Rockhampton, after her scheduled Bonza flight from the Gold Coast was cancelled on Monday.

She said she received multiple correspondences from Bonza about a rescheduled flight, which created a lot of confusion.

Two unhappy looking women sitting on a seat.

"I've got a text message that was in my younger daughter's name, and an email, and also [a message] on the app," Ms Wall said.

"All three notifications were for three different flights."

Nicole Morris was due to fly from Melbourne to Rockhampton on Tuesday with Bonza but was told her flight had been cancelled when she arrived at the airport.

"It's crap, I don't know what I'm meant to do," Ms Morris said.

"I've come in and I can't find anyone to talk to — there's nobody here."

Bonza said affected passengers had been told they would receive a full refund.

The federal Transport Department has set up a hotline for stranded passengers on the number 1800 069 244, which will operate until 10pm.

'They were told Bonza has finished'

A Sunshine Coast man whose wife works for the airline told the ABC about 20 cabin crew were called into a meeting early on Tuesday morning.

"There were two crews there — they were just basically told that Bonza has finished," he said.

"They've been told that they're not flying until further notice.

"They've all been told that the bottom line is that Bonza will no longer be flying."

He said the news was a blow for staff and the region.

"They're pretty devastated. It's their job. She's been in it from day one. It's a bit of a blow for Maroochydore and the Sunshine Coast," he said.

History of cancellations

After months of delay, Bonza was given the go-ahead to start flying regional routes from the Sunshine Coast in January last year.

It was the first new local airline since Tiger Airways launched 15 years earlier, and its business model aimed to link regional centres often ignored by the larger carriers.

The company launched a base in Melbourne two months later.

Since launching, Bonza has faced criticism for cancelling flights, including mass cancellations over Christmas , and suspending routes .

A spokeswoman for Bonza last week, when the company cut services from the Gold Coast, said it was working on improving customer service due to passenger complaints.

'Devastating' for regional tourism

Bundaberg Tourism chief executive Katherine Reid said the news was devastating.

"We believe that the Melbourne to Bundaberg route has been one of the strongest performing in the state for Bonza, sitting at an average of 90 per cent capacity," she said.

Ms Reid said that equated to as many as 400 people a week coming from Victoria into the Wide Bay region.

"We know a lot of people have had holidays booked," she said.

"We need to continue working with all levels of government to really attract airline partners into regional areas."

Two boys swim in crystal clear lagoon off Elliot Heads

Call for bailout

Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce said he hoped the airline could "see their way out of" the situation but said the federal government could be doing more to help.

He wanted the government to consider a bailout package.

"Certainly consider it ... on the premise of a better market outcome for all passengers not just helping out one company," he said.

North West Queensland MP Robbie Katter said Bonza's struggles were a symptom of a bigger issue in the industry.

"It's disappointing because we need this competition," the Traegar MP said.

"The bigger guys will always make it as difficult as possible for airlines to enter the market and destroy the dominance they've got.

"I'll plan to push the government to underwrite these funds so that bush residents aren't left worse off."

'Burning money'

Aviation analyst Geoffrey Thomas, the editor-in-chief of the website Airline Ratings, said he understood the airline's backers, 777 partners, had made changes to the leasing and financing of its aircraft.

He said the budget carrier may have been caught off guard.

777 Partners has been contacted for comment.

"It's shattering news, particularly for those affected who hold tickets and were going to fly today or tomorrow," Mr Thomas said.

"I think that the problem of Bonza is overseas, with leasing companies, and not the local management, not the business model."

But he said the low profit margin model could be tough in regional Australia, given long distances and relatively low passenger numbers.

"If you need 85 per cent capacity and you only get 70 per cent … then you're burning money," he said.

X (formerly Twitter)

Budget carrier Bonza works to build trust after weeks of cancellations

A white and purple passenger plane on a runway.

Bonza extends its cancellation of all flights on Darwin-Gold Coast route until mid-March

An in-flight picture of an airliner over a beach, the plane in purple and white livery showing the word "Bonza".

Air Transport Industry
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Ep4: Interview Tips - How to answer ‘Tell me about yourself’ and other job or scholarship #interview questions GN Inspire Podcast

Self-Improvement

Listen on Apple Podcasts Requires macOS 11.4 or higher

Interviewers will judge the book by the cover so you want to present the best cover. And maybe a few excellent pages of your career/life, almost like your life’s trailer. You have a few mins to make a strong case for why you’re the best candidate In this episode, I will share with you some tips and hacks - like quantifying and structuring your answers - that will help you imprint your name and your story on interviewers’ minds and ace all your interviews. Scholarships and Opportunities for Students -------------------------------------------- *Stay tuned, I will be sharing more opportunities in the upcoming episodes as we chat with our guests...* ● Opportunities for Africans - https://www.opportunitiesforafricans.com ● Scholarships for Development - https://www.scholars4dev.com ● Opportunity Desk - https://opportunitydesk.org ● Study Portals Scholarships - https://www.scholarshipportal.com Want the PhD Journey book? ----------------------------- Get it from Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/-/dp/1636181740). Or Nuria Bookstore in Kenya (https://nuriakenya.com/product/the-ph...) #gninspirepodcast #gninspire #motivation #thephdjourney #phd #gradschool #college #personaldevelopment #highereducation #interview #interviewtips #interviewpreparation #scholarships

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If the panel is asking you about strengths and weaknesses, they want you to identify and reflect on both. Be honest about the things you find challenging, but identify them as training needs and discuss how you expect to improve upon them as part of your PhD. Do answer: I feel that I'm a good written communicator.
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To ace your Ph.D. program interviews, prepare to answer—and ask—these key questions. You've made it to the last step of the Ph.D. application process: the interview. Congratulations! But amid the excitement and butterflies, don't neglect the crucial next step: preparation. Grad school interviews—in which aspiring graduate students meet ...
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.
Top 15 PhD Interview Questions and Answers
Research Experience and Background Interview Questions. 1. Tell me about your research experience and background in your field. How to Answer: Start with a brief overview of your academic and research journey, highlighting key milestones, projects, and publications. Emphasize your expertise, the relevance of your work to the PhD program, and ...
Grad School Interview Question & How to Answer Them
Grad School Interview Question & How to Answer Them. Published on March 29, 2021 by Lauren Thomas.Revised on June 1, 2023. Grad school interviews are the last step of the application process, so congratulations for making it to this stage!Getting this far is a big accomplishment—graduate schools only conduct interviews with those applicants they are seriously considering accepting.
Top 25 PhD Interview Questions and Answers in 2024
Top 25 PhD Interview Questions and Answers in 2024. If you desire to advance academically, be aware that attending a Ph.D. interview is a fundamental part of the admission process. Many institutions must interview potential candidates to ascertain whether they exhibit adequate commitment, discipline, and passion for completing the program.
Top 10 PhD Interview Questions
1. Tell us about yourself. This is a popular opener for just about any type of interview. It's meant to be an easy icebreaker, but that doesn't mean there isn't a wrong answer. Make sure to your response is relevant to the context of a PhD interview. Talk about your academic background, motivation, and interests.
Key PhD Interview Questions (And How to Answer Them)
This question aims to assess your motivation for undertaking a PhD. Be honest and reflective in your response, explaining how your academic background, research interests, and career goals align with the programme. Show that you have a clear understanding of the commitment required and are prepared for the challenges of a PhD.
Top 15 PhD interview questions that you must be ready to answer!
One of the most common PhD interview questions is asking you to tell the panel why you think you are fit to undertake a PhD research. Knowing your strengths and weaknesses is critical. You of course want to emphasise your strengths as much as possible during the interview, but you need to be ready to discuss how you are going to handle any ...
Top Ten PhD Interview Questions and Answers
Top 10 interview questions. The "right" answers to these are personal and depend greatly on what the specific staff members and their department is looking for.Scour the PhD studentship advert, the department's mission statement, vision, aims and objectives and information about current staff research to learn about research priorities, interests, and positions in theoretical debates.
PhD Interview Questions & Answers
PhD interview questions can be very tricky to answer and this is for a good reason. Studying for a PhD is an amazing academic achievement, as well as serious time commitment, and it's certainly not one for the faint-hearted.Once you've decided to embark on this academic path, your PhD interviewer needs to be sure that you are able to rise to the challenge and are academically capable of ...
120 Common and Difficult Graduate School Interview Questions
Graduate School Interview Question #5: Why Are You Pursuing This Degree (PhD)? "The most common issue I encountered when I interviewed prospective graduate students (especially for a master's program) is the lack of interest and clear goals in pursuing grad school. Some students apply to master's as a placeholder for other professional ...
How to Answer "Why Did You Pursue a PhD?" in an Interview
Employers often ask about your pursuit of a PhD in a job interview as a way to understand your motivations and goals, as well as your commitment to learning and professional development. They may also be interested in the specific skills and knowledge you gained during your PhD program, and how they may be applicable to the job you are applying ...
Example PhD Interview Questions
This is one of the most common questions asked in a PhD interview and it's a tough one to answer initially. The best thing for you to do is speak about your passion for the subject, your passion for study and your interest in a career in this area. Enthusiasm is key to answering this question. As you will be specialising in a specific area ...
Graduate School Interviews: 10 Questions With Sample Answers
Use these questions and sample answers as a guide for generating strong answers to your graduate school interview: 1. Tell me about yourself. This question is common in many types of interviews and is used to open a line of communication and test your ability to prioritize information. When preparing to answer this graduate school question ...
Example PhD interview questions and answers
We have collated some of the questions that are frequently asked in a PhD interview, along with tips on how to answer them. But please remember, the interview process varies widely and this blog aims to provide a suggestive framework on how to answer. "Tell us about yourself". This is a typical opening interview question and is often used ...
Why Would You Want to Do a PhD?
Clubs is a current PhD student at Harvard Medical School. Already featured in my previous article, she happily accepted my second interview, this time on why she pursued PhD. "Graduate school was kind of a choice by default for me," said Clubs, "I did not really explore different career options in undergrad.
Interview Question: Why Do You Want To Be an MD-PhD?
Here are five steps you can follow to create an effective answer to this interview question: 1. Create an introduction. To create an introduction, think of your initial response to the question. Your introduction can answer the question in one or two sentences. Typically, candidates use an introduction to explain why they chose their careers.
r/PhD on Reddit: [Advice] I just got an interview for my PhD
Read the papers of the profs who are hiring new students. Show you're familiar with the research currently being done. Be prepared to ask questions about what they're doing next - you might be tapped to be an RA for that. Research the school as much as possible, and generate a set of questions that you're left with after reviewing the ...
How do you prep for PhD program interviews? : r/gradadmissions
You should be able to describe your research/experiences clearly and thoroughly. If they talk about their research, you should be able to ask critical questions or maybe propose an experiment/question to ask. You can ask them specifics about their lab or general things about the program. They can be pretty all over the place.
Top System Design Interview Questions (2024)
What is System Design? The process of establishing system aspects such as modules, architecture, components and their interfaces, and data for a system based on specified requirements is known as system design.It is the process of identifying, creating, and designing systems that meet a company's or organization's specific objectives and expectations.
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‎GN Inspire Podcast: Ep4: Interview Tips
You have a few mins to make a strong case for why you're the best candidate In this episode, I will share with you some tips and… ‎Show GN Inspire Podcast, Ep Ep4: Interview Tips - How to answer 'Tell me about yourself' and other job or scholarship #interview questions - Apr 10, 2024