Grad Interview questions!!?

We all do know that chances of any of us ever facing a grad school admission interview is minuscule at best! However, it is very much possible that we might end up facing one (especially for those aiming for a MBA or a PhD). In that situation, it becomes necessary for us to know the possible questions that might come our way during one! I was going through a very resourceful site today and saw a list of questions hidden away in one of their older articles! Though the questions are highly generalized, I feel that they might be a good starting point!!

Questions relating to personality
1. Tell me about yourself.
2. How would you describe yourself to a stranger?
3. What is your own vision or mission statement?
4. What do you really want to do with you life?
5. Who was the greatest influence on you and why?
6. Are there any famous people you admire and why?
7. Have you ever read a book that had a powerful influence on you?
8. What qualities do you respect and value in other people and why?
9. What motivates you?
10. How do you evaluate success?
11. What do you think you do best?
12. What is your most significant accomplishment to date?
13. How do you reduce stress and try to achieve balance in your life?
14. What frustrates you the most?
15. What kinds of decisions are the most difficult for you to make?
16. What decision or decisions have you most regretted in your life?
17. How persistent are you and give an example?
18. How flexible are you and give an example?
19. How accommodating are you and give an example?
20.How persuasive are you and give an example?

Questions relating to education
1. Why did you select your area of study?
2. Why did you choose your university?
3. How did you finance your studies?
4. What was your most rewarding university experience?
5. Which parts of your program did you enjoy the most?
6. Which parts of your program did you enjoy the least?
7. What are the main things you learned from your studies?
8. How do your studies relate to your career goals?
9. What have you learned in your degree program that has been most useful to you?
10. How do you think your schoolwork has helped you prepare for this type of position?
11. Are your grades a good indication of your academic achievement?
12. What are your plans for further studies?

Questions relating to previous employment or experience
1. What type of jobs have you had?
2. How did you get your previous jobs?
3. What were your main responsibilities?
4. What were your main achievements?
5. What skills did you acquire through your previous jobs?
6. What experience have you had working on a team?
7. What supervisory or leadership roles have you had?
8. How did you get along with supervisors?
9.How did you get along with coworkers?
10. How do you think your supervisors describe you?
11. How was your job performance evaluated?
12. What did you like most about your previous jobs?
13. What did you like least about your previous jobs?
14. What was the most difficult project you worked on?
15. How did you go about accomplishing it?
16. Have you ever been given a task that you couldn’t handle?
17. What do you think you will be looking for in the job following this position?
18. Would you consider returning to your former employer and why?
19. What is the most important thing you are looking for in an employer?
20. What things do you think

There are other possible questions pertaining to research work, thesis or papers, or even work experience. It is necessary that everyone prepares the answers in advance. For most of us, this should be pretty much easy and a simple enough task. Those who might find some specific questions tough should try practicing the same out loud!! Also, I feel that most of the questions mentioned have a very strong likelihood of being asked in any type of an interview we might face!! So, I hope that this list turns out to be of some good use!!! 

Source: http://www.gradsource.com:80/

Interview!!!!

An interview may sometimes happen! Though it is not something too common when it comes to graduate applications, however, when it happens, one needs to be prepared in advance!! Moreover, I have come to believe that no decision should be taken while being straddled in the dark. We should have a good idea of whom we are going to work with in future and the interview is the best possible tool to this end. As graduate aadmissions become more and more competitive, it is likely that we might have to go through these grad admission interviews!!! So am going to write a few posts on this topic!

First up, lets look at what all we should do for the interview! Some simple tips to make sure that we have a brilliant one at that!! 

Before the interview 

• Do your homework. Learn about the program and faculty. Read recent faculty publications to learn more about their labs. 
• Prepare intelligent questions to ask. Remember that you’re judged by your application but also by your presentation and your interest in the program and faculty. 

During the Interview – if its face to face!!  

• Dress professionally and comfortably. 
• Find out what graduate students really think about their advisers and the program
• Try to meet graduate students for a one-on-one conversation so you can find out what they really think
• Don’t underestimate the potential influence of current graduate students. Although they might sound like they’re speaking off-the-cuff, remember that you’re on an interview, regardless of with whom you’re speaking. Present your best side because current graduate students may be in a position to help or hurt your application. 
• Follow standard rules of interviewing (i.e., eye contact,  self confident presentation, conservative dress, etc.)
• Some interviews include social events like parties. Don’t drink too much (even if others do). Remember that even though it seems like a party, it’s an interview. Assume that you’re being evaluated at all times. 

These tips also apply to any job interview as well! For that matter, it applies to any interview you might go for! so its better to infuse these traits in yourselves and make sure you present your best possible face to the interviewers!

Source: http://gradschool.about.com:80/