Why do graduate programs interview applicants?

To assess fit, communication, motivation and maturity in ways that documents cannot show, and to let you learn about the program.

How should I prepare?

Reread your application, research the program and faculty, practice answers aloud and prepare your own questions.

What do I wear to an interview?

Dress neatly in a way that suits the field and setting, and choose comfort and tidiness over fashion.

How do video interviews differ?

Test your technology, choose a quiet and well-lit space and look at the camera when speaking.

Should I send a thank-you message?

A short, polite thank-you is usually welcome, but check whether the program has any rules about contact.

Graduate School Interviews: Formats, Questions and Preparation

An invitation to interview is good news. It means that the committee has read your application and wants to know more. But interviews can also feel like the most nerve-racking part of the whole process, because you cannot rewrite your answers. The good news is that interviews are far more predictable than they seem. Programs ask a limited range of questions, and the same preparation works for most of them. This guide explains the formats you may meet and how to prepare.

Formats and expectations differ by field, program and country. This guide gives general advice and no guarantee of success. Always follow each program's instructions.

Why programs interview

Interviews help programs find out things that documents do not show.

Whether you can communicate clearly and thoughtfully.
Whether your goals are realistic and your motivation genuine.
How you think when you meet a question you have not prepared for.
Whether you will fit the culture and the working style of the group.
How you deal with feedback and disagreement.
Whether the program fits you, which is a two-way question.

Remember that you are interviewing the program too. It is your chance to ask real questions.

Common formats

Format	What it looks like	Typical fields
One-to-one conversation	A faculty member talks with you about your interests and experience	Research degrees and many master's programs
Panel interview	Several faculty or staff ask questions together	Professional programs and some doctoral programs
Group interview	Several applicants are interviewed or discuss together	Some business and professional programs
Multiple short stations	Several brief timed interviews or tasks	Some medical and health programs
Video interview	Live or recorded online interview	Increasingly common everywhere
Informal visit or call	A chat with a supervisor or student	Research degrees, before or alongside formal admission

Ask the program in advance what format to expect, how long it will take and who will be there. Our guide to medical school basics describes how some health programs use structured interviews.

Research degrees and professional programs

The emphasis differs.

Research programs focus on your research interests, experience, understanding of methods and fit with a supervisor. You may be asked to discuss a paper or describe a past project.
Professional programs focus on motivation, communication, ethics, judgment and your understanding of the profession. They may use scenarios or case discussions.
Business programs often ask about leadership, teamwork and career goals.

Prepare for the kind of interview your field uses, not a generic one.

Preparing your material

Reread your application, especially your statement. Be ready to discuss anything you wrote.
Research the program: curriculum, faculty, research groups and recent news.
Read at least one or two recent papers by faculty who may interview you.
Review your own work: projects, thesis, experience and what you learned.
Prepare a short introduction of about a minute about who you are and why you are applying.
Prepare examples that show teamwork, problem-solving and resilience.
Know your weak spots, and how you will address them honestly.

Our guide to statement of purpose tips will help you keep your story consistent between your statement and your answers.

Common questions

You will probably meet some of these.

Tell us about yourself.
Why do you want to study this subject?
Why this program?
What are your goals after graduating?
Tell us about a project or piece of work you are proud of.
Describe a challenge you faced, and how you dealt with it.
How do you work in a team?
What are your strengths and weaknesses?
How do you handle criticism?
Where do you see yourself in five years?
What questions do you have for us?

For research degrees, add: What research question interests you? How would you approach it? What do you think of this recent paper?

Answering well

Be specific. Use examples, not general claims.
Be honest. If you do not know, say so, and say how you would find out.
Structure answers. For experience questions, briefly describe the situation, what you did and what happened.
Keep answers short enough to hold attention, and stop when you have answered.
Listen carefully to the question and answer what is asked.
Show curiosity. Interviewers like candidates who think aloud and ask questions.
Be yourself, in a professional way.

Practice out loud, with a friend or in front of a mirror. Recording yourself can show habits you were unaware of.

Questions to ask

Always have questions ready. Good ones show that you have thought about the program.

How do students typically spend their time in the first year?
What are the biggest challenges for students in this program?
How are students supported, academically and personally?
What are recent graduates doing now?
How does funding work, and what is available?
How are supervisors or advisers assigned?
What is the culture of the group or cohort like?

Do not ask what is easy to find on the website.

Video interviews

Many interviews are now online.

Test your technology the day before: camera, microphone, internet and the software the program uses.
Choose a quiet, tidy, well-lit space with a neutral background.
Look at the camera when you speak, not only at the screen.
Dress as you would for an in-person interview.
Close other programs and silence notifications.
Have a backup plan, such as a phone number to call if the connection fails.
Keep notes nearby, but do not read from them.

For recorded interviews, practice answering within the time limit, and make sure you understand how many attempts you have.

What to wear and bring

Dress neatly in clothing that suits the field and setting. If unsure, choose slightly more formal rather than less. Comfort matters. For in-person interviews, bring copies of your resume, a notebook, a pen, your questions and any materials the program asked for. Arrive early, and plan your route and any travel in advance.

Handling nerves

Nerves are normal, and a little adrenaline helps.

Prepare thoroughly, which is the best remedy.
Breathe slowly before you start.
Pause before answering. Silence of a few seconds is fine.
Ask for clarification if you do not understand a question.
If you stumble, recover calmly and carry on.
Remember that the interviewers want you to do well.

International applicants

If you are interviewing in a second language, speak clearly and do not worry about perfect grammar. Ask for a question to be repeated if you need to. Check time zones carefully for online interviews, and confirm the time in both zones. If you need an interpreter or an accommodation, ask the program well in advance.

After the interview

Send a brief thank-you message within a day or two, if appropriate, mentioning something specific from the conversation.
Make notes while it is fresh: what you learned, how you felt and any follow-up.
Be patient. Decisions may take weeks.
Do not contact the program repeatedly.
Keep other applications moving.

A worked example

Imagine an applicant for a master's in public policy who is invited to a panel interview. She rereads her statement, researches the work of two faculty members and prepares a one-minute introduction and three stories about teamwork, a difficult project and a change of mind. She practices aloud with a friend and records one run. In the interview, she answers specific questions with examples, admits that she does not know one technical term and says how she would learn it, and asks about how students find placements. She sends a short thank-you afterward.

Her preparation showed in the clarity of her answers.

Common mistakes

Not reading your own application again.
Giving generic answers.
Talking too long.
Having no questions.
Criticizing previous employers or institutions.
Poor technology planning for video calls.
Not following instructions on format or timing.

A quick checklist

Do I know the format, length and participants?
Have I researched the program and faculty?
Have I practiced answers aloud?
Do I have thoughtful questions ready?
Have I tested my technology and planned the logistics?

Final thoughts

An interview is a conversation, not an interrogation. Prepare your story, know the program and ask questions that matter to you. Stay calm, be honest and be specific. A good interview helps both sides decide whether the fit is right.