Interviewing for graduate school can be an intimidating experience. As a psychology major applying to PhD and PsyD programs, you’ve already put in countless hours on applications, test prep, research experience, and more. Now, after making it through the initial screening, you have one final hurdle – the interview.
While interviews cause anxiety for many applicants, they’re your chance to showcase your personality, interests, and potential fit within a program. With preparation and practice, you can ace your psychology grad school interviews. This article provides an overview of common interview questions, sample answers, and tips to help you prepare.
Common Psychology Graduate School Interview Questions
Psychology graduate programs will likely ask both general questions as well as those specific to your discipline. Expect questions about your interests along with situational and behavioral questions. Here are some examples:
General
- Why do you want to pursue a graduate degree in psychology?
- What attracts you to our particular program?
- Where do you see yourself in 5-10 years after graduating?
Clinical Psychology
- Describe any experience you have in social services and what you enjoyed about it.
- What strengths enable you to become an effective psychologist?
- Share an ethical dilemma you’ve experienced with a client and how you handled it.
Research Psychology
- What are your research interests and who on our faculty aligns with those?
- Describe a successful research project you’ve completed.
- What research skills and experience do you have?
Personal
- What do you consider your strengths and weaknesses?
- How has your undergraduate experience prepared you for graduate school?
- What can you contribute to our program?
Strategies for Answering Interview Questions
The key is to prepare but not over-prepare. You want your responses to seem natural not rehearsed. Here are some tips
- Review your application materials so you can expand on anything relevant to the questions.
- ** Research the program** so you can speak knowledgeably about how you fit.
- Prepare stories highlighting relevant experience and skills for behavioral questions.
- Practice aloud with a career counselor, professor, or friend to get feedback.
- Focus on fit – Emphasize mutual interests between you and the program.
- Be positive – Reframe weaknesses as opportunities for growth.
- Ask informed questions to show your interest in and knowledge of the program.
Sample Responses to Common Questions
Let’s look at sample responses to some frequent interview questions:
Why do you want to pursue a PhD in psychology?
As someone who struggled with anxiety growing up, I had an amazing therapist who helped me develop coping strategies through cognitive-behavioral therapy. Seeing the impact psychology can have inspired me to want to help others in a similar way. I enjoy research as well, particularly developmental psych as I find early intervention highly effective. I believe by earning a PhD, I can contribute meaningful research while also gaining the clinical skills to work directly with clients. Your program appeals to me because of the ability to specialize in both clinical and developmental psychology.
What is your greatest weakness?
I tend to get impatient with myself if I can’t master a new skill quickly. However, I’ve been working on giving myself grace to learn at my own pace. I first noticed this tendency in my research methods class. Understanding advanced statistics didn’t come easily, and I grew frustrated. However, I persisted and earned an A by going to office hours and working with tutors. I will continue being patient with myself as I take on new challenges in grad school.
Tell me about a difficult situation you helped someone through.
As a resident advisor, one of my freshmen residents was struggling with depression and came to me for help. I listened without judgement and helped them make an appointment with our counseling center. I also invited them to join me and other residents for meals and activities to ease their isolation. While respecting their privacy, I checked in periodically to monitor their situation. My resident told me I played a big role in getting them through that difficult period, and it was so rewarding to hear I made a difference.
Tips for Acing the Psychology Graduate School Interview
Beyond preparing your answers, here are some additional tips for interview success:
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Dress professionally – You want to look sharp and polished. Avoid sloppy or overly casual attire.
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Arrive early – Give yourself extra time to find parking, get settled, and relax before the interview starts. Arriving late creates unnecessary stress.
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Research your interviewers – If possible, review their bios so you can mention shared interests or ask informed questions.
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Have extra copies of your resume – Interviewers may request one.
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Send thank you notes – Follow up with brief, polite notes expressing your appreciation and interest.
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Be yourself – Let your personality and passion shine through. Avoid pretense or being overly formal.
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Ask good questions – Inquiries about research, clinical work, mentoring, etc. demonstrate your interest and engagement.
Preparing for psychology graduate school interviews takes time and effort. But with practice and a focus on fit, you can put your best foot forward and make a great impression as the ideal candidate they’ve been seeking. You’ve got this!
