26 Graduate School Interview Questions That Will Win You The Admission

A lot goes into the entire process for the application of your doctorate degree. Your graduate school interview is one of the final steps for your application. Although not all schools have the interview as part of the process, some do and if the institution you applied to has this as part of the process then you need to be prepared, the admission committee will call you for an interview, to basically get to know you and why you have chosen the school and also if you are the right fit for the school and its culture. The interviews allows the admission committee to determine your potential to be successful in their program.

The interviewers we’ll be looking out for a couple of things in your answers to the interview questions, and those are, 

• How good your express yourself 

To show that you express yourself well 

– You need to be clear and concise

– Confidence

– You need to be assertive before not aggressive while you’re speaking.

– Do not be vague. 

– You need Enunciate your words and speak clearly

– You need to use your body language effectively, basically be open in the expression with your body language, your facial expression your body posture and even your ungestures can go along way in expressing how you feel.

– You need to make eye contact with your interviewer

• The interviewer will also look at how organised your thoughts are.
• And finally the interviewer will look at how well you answer the questions.

You do not have to worry too much about this interview because if you finally got to the interview stage it means that you are one foot in the door and your entire application so far caught your eye and they want you. All you need to do is to prepare quite well for the interview, practise the interview questions can you give it your best shot.

Graduate School Interview Questions

Here are some graduate school interview questions as curated by Mr Sola Kolawole;

1. Tell us about yourself
2. Why are you interested in this program/ school/field/career?
3. What are your research interests / what research have you done?
4. What are your strengths and weaknesses?
5. What are the major issues in the field?
6. What have you read that particularly influenced your thinking in this area?
7. Tell me about a time you encountered failure
8. Tell me about a time you achieved a significant accomplishment
9. What can you bring to this graduate program / why should we accept you?
10. What other schools / programs have you applied to?
11. What are your long term career goals?
12. How have you prepared yourself for a career in this field?
13. Tell us about your research / clinical / teaching experience
14. What will be your biggest challenge (academic / research / personal) in coming to graduate school?
15. If we don’t offer you funding for the program, will you still come here?
16. Do you have any questions for us (the interviewers)?

And here are some more questions gathered from speaking to a few graduate students;

Mr Femi –

I was asked questions like,

1. What are my weakness and strength as a learner/student?
2. How do I motivate myself?
3. What do I see as my strongest personal asset?
4. Do I feel like I have worked to my full potential?
5. What is the most significant contribution I have made to my school?

Ms. Bimbo –

It was an interesting time for me and some of the questions I got asked was;

1. What are some of the courses I have enjoyed the most?
2. What are my hobbies and interests?
3. How will I contribute to the program?
4. How do I deal with disappointment and failure?
5. What will I say is my most significant accomplishment?

16 Graduate School Interview Questions

After a successful application, you might be called upon by the admission committee for an interview.

Use these questions to practice!

— Sola Kolawole (@temabef) January 19, 2023

✅Tell us about yourself

✅Why are you interested in this program/ school/field/career?

✅What are your research interests / what research have you done?

✅What are your strengths and weaknesses?

✅What are the major issues in the field?

— Sola Kolawole (@temabef) January 19, 2023

✅What have you read that particularly influenced your thinking in this area?

✅Tell me about a time you encountered failure

✅Tell me about a time you achieved a significant accomplishment

✅What can you bring to this graduate program / why should we accept you?

— Sola Kolawole (@temabef) January 19, 2023

✅What other schools / programs have you applied to?

✅What are your long term career goals?

✅How have you prepared yourself for a career in this field?

✅Tell us about your research / clinical / teaching experience

— Sola Kolawole (@temabef) January 19, 2023

✅What will be your biggest challenge (academic / research / personal) in coming to graduate school?

✅If we don’t offer you funding for the program, will you still come here?

✅Do you have any questions for us (the interviewers)?

— Sola Kolawole (@temabef) January 19, 2023