Q:If the interviewer asks that why you choose our program,could the location of the university be one of the reasons?A:Let me ask everyone here:In your PSs and SOPs,what were the reasons you gave for explaining why you really want to go to X University?Professors you really want to work with?Could be a good one.Specific courses?Bright classmates?International environment?Great alumni network?All good reasons.All are pretty standard answers to the question‘Why do you want to attend our university?’If you haven’t done so already,I’d encourage you all to write out as many reasons as possible for why you want to attend your chosen universities.Be as specific as possible!Rank the reasons(ask yourself:which one of the reasons is most important and why?)!If during the interview you’re asked to explain your university choice,you’ll be prepared.I should say:If one of the top reasons for you is location, then by all means go ahead and share that with the interviewer!!Explain why you are so attracted by the university’s location.Again,show your excitement!One more thing:As long as you provide the interviewer with several good reasons,you are doing well.If you ONLY mention location,you are in trouble...Q:So it means we could elaborate on the reasons we mentioned in PS or SOP?A:Yes,certainly...If the interviewer asks you specifically about it,it'd be great not just to repeat your PS or SOP.Convey your excitement!Q:Is"your university is one of my dream universities"a good reason?A:Not if you don't explain WHY it's your dream university!So you are back at the initial question....You can certainly say though that the university is your dream university.But give reasons!You could take several different approaches.Q:The question:How can you guarantee you can adapt well to the life in U.S or USA?A:What do you guys think are good answers?I'd think of an example in my past and then elaborate.It's always best to use personal examples.But what do you do if you've never been to the US or Canada?but if I don't have the experience.The best course of action,I think,is to still think of an example of how in the past you adapted well to a new environment.That can be in China too(for example your university).Explain the reasons for why you adapted well.And state confidently that you will be able to do the same abroad...Other things you might say:Talk about your English abilities."I will try my best to fit in"etc.is probably not a great answer.It's vague and it doesn't really help the interviewer understand you.Anyone could say that.So always be specific and give examples and use questions to talk about your strengths.....Curiosity is a good one(and it's important to have when going abroad!).Q:Self-introduction is almost an essential part of every interview;however I have included most of my basic information in resume and personal statements.Then what kind of self-introduction will be more attractive to interviewers?A:The self-intro should be a bit like a good movie trailer…Here’s how I would structure the intro(roughly):But:Be aware that you should not script anything...Just practice,practice,practice....Okay,now to intro's rough structure....I would start-off by‘repeating’my personal information(2-3sentences).This is NOT boring for the interviewer.He/she can learn how say your Chinese name,for example.Another example I can think of:knowing whether you are from a remote Chinese town or from a big city is quite an interesting piece of information(that,if you are lucky, your interviewer will ask you more about).I think that these details can help turn the interview into a more intimate conversation–which is desirable.Next, introduce your academic side(2-3sentences).Mention your university and your major.This is the part that the interviewer will be most familiar with,so it’s not necessary to get lost in details here!!!!!By the way,all in all the self-intro should be a minute or so long...Not endless!!Finally,and this is crucial:talk about what you are passionate about(academically)and that you applying to the interviewer’s university to explore that passion fully.In this final part,show your interviewer that you are BURNING for your field/academic interest.It’d be really useful to give one concrete example that demonstrates your passion in this final part of the self-intro: for example your thesis,an internship,or a specific course.Again,you want to bespecific!!!The self-intro is the one part of the interview that you really can practice a lot.I would encourage all of you to actually write it out and then practice,practice, practice.In front of a mirror works=)But you can of course also sign up for a mock-interview session with me or any other MyDocumate advisor and then you’ll get a feedback what works and what doesn’t,By the way:The above is not necessarily the structure you have to follow at all costs.But,I thought it might be useful to be a bit more specific=).You should practice,but don't play a role or come across as though you've practiced to death.Be natural(As always....)Q:Next question:Sometimes the interviewer may ask me to describe a situation I encountered or how I solved the problem in that situation.What if I cannot think up any proper examples at the moment?A:I think question‘Tell me about a challenging situation and how you dealt with it’is quite tricky.It’s really not easy to answer.The likelihood that you will hear it during the interview is thus actually quite high!So:The take-away again is---Practice!Write this question on a piece of paper and dig in your memory for a challenging situation that you overcame.Here are some questions that might help you craft a good answer....What made the situation so challenging?Why did I find it difficult to overcome it at first?Why was it necessary for me to solve it?How did I go about solving it?On what capacities/skills/abilities of mine did I rely?What does this show about me?Two general comments about this....First.There are not toomany‘typical,tricky interview questions’.If I were you,I would do an internet search for them.Pick the ones you find most difficult,then sit down and answer them one by one.It’s unnecessary to learn all your answers by heart.It’s about being comfortable answering questions that really are a bit‘uncomfortable’.So, there was a question from you guys:"but if we might not come across that hard challenge，what should we do?"My honest answer:I think you have to dig a bit deeper...We've all overcome challenges.It would be strange to tell the interviewer: Sorry,I have not overcome any great challenges!Ask your friends for help.Q:Next~How to show a good sense of humor during the interview?Which kind of joke will be acceptable and will give a good impression to profs?A:I think my answer to this question is gonna be rather short=)About humor during the interview.In all honesty,the interview is not the best place to try jokes.... Be aware that there is a big cultural gap between you and your interviewer(see my blog post for more on that!)What you find funny is most likely not what you interviewer finds funny.So......To give you an example:my close Chinese friend has spent nearly10years in the US.Still he doesn’t really get the American humor.So, I wouldn’t advise you to‘force yourself’to be funny.During the interview,don’t be anyone but yourself!!If you are yourself and then you feel like making a funny comment during the interview...go ahead.If that’s you,it’s you.But don't force things.Dont'try to be funny just for the sake of it...Won't workQ:How to answer the question“How will you deal with cultural differences?”(This was a real question from the interview I had before.)A:I think that this again is a question that is best answered by an in-depth assessment of a past experience of yours that is relevant to cultural differences. Ask yourself:‘What was the cultural difference?How did I become aware of it? Was it easy or difficult to understand the difference?What did I do to improve the situation?’Such questions could be useful in preparing a good answer.Are you guys interested in my personal view?Might be interesting,but don't copy/paste!I'd start by saying:Knowledge of intercultural communication can help deal with cultural differences.Then ask:What is good intercultural communication?Then say something like:It’s a two-way process.When I come to a new country,I make an effort to UNDERSTAND my new environment’s culture(s).I try to hang out with locals,ask people,read books about my new home etc.I assimilate.Yet,at the same time,I also help people understand WHO I AM.This is the crucial part.I am not renouncing my traditions,language,and history....I share who I am with people so that they,too,can understand me....So,for example,I can tell them about my upbringing...Or cook food from home for them=)Or sing in my mother tongue at a school event...Whatever.It’s a two-way street.Not a one-way street.I'd give an example and done.Q:Honestly,I am worried about that being nervous will make my performance notnatural during an interview.A:Yea,nerves can be a problem...One is definitely to practice quite a lot...by going through tough questions...by talking to friends....by doing mock-interviews...all of that would help.And interviewers are also a bit nervous=)Seriously,Just a bit ually it's the moments before the interview starts that are tough.Once it's underway you'll be fine!!!Q:Just a some question,last time an American interviewer asked me where I would work after graduate,I said I would come back to Beijing.I wonder why she asked such a question?About visa?If I said America,would she doubt my intention to study in USA?A:No,definitely not related to Visa issues!Interviewers generally don't try to ask trick questions.It's pointless for them.Just tell her honestly and excitedly why you want to go back to Beijing.But why you would benefit from studying at her/his university.Always create the links....Then you should be fine....Q:What should usually be included in a thank you note after the interview?A:Thank you notes are pretty straight-forward.Again,be honest and sincere.Say that you enjoyed the talk.That you are glad you got the opportunity also to asksome of your questions.That you are looking forward to hearing back from the University.Keep it simple!Q:I have a question,when I prepare my interviews,I always think about what kind of quality the interviewer want to see.leadership?analytical ability?A:I think it's useful to be aware of what kind of qualities YOU think are important to show to your interviewer.You know...all qualities are important...So focus on2-3 you really want to get across.Think of examples that highlight those....Don't try to squeeze all your qualities in...It's better to go a bit in-depth than just scratch the surface.Yea,I understand that worry...But I think there's no'one'standard.So it's better to stay true to yourself than trying to imagine what THEY like to hear.But: Leadership is definitely a good quality that they like to hear=)If it's a quality it's a quality...Don't belittle one and elevate the other...See which qualities you really have and talk about those.Great question though!By giving at least one,if not two or three,examples.By talking about your achievements."I think we can pick out some qualities related to the program/major we are applying for,right?For example,management will require leadership and organization abilities etc."Thank you for that comment!Very important point.Of course you can be strategic as well.Q:Last time an interviewer asked me"why do you apply to the PhD program",I said "because I want to be a biologist,undergraduate study and research is far fromenough",any good ideas regarding this?A:Generally,always aim to be as specific as you can...When it comes to talking about your future(as in:Why a PhD?),be confident and give good,specific reasons.Another one of those questions you should prep in advance a bit.American universities like words like:"Passion!"or"Belief"or"vision!"So think what is your passion,your belief,your vision.Prep that question a bit...You might well be asked that question.Q:I know most people here are college students.But I'm still a high school student now and I'm going to have some interviews for some liberal arts college in the U.S.,so is there anything I should pay special attention to while preparing for an interview for a liberal arts college(compare to Big U)?A:Liberal arts colleges(I went to one myself)really want to understand why you want to go to a liberal arts college...why not a bit state university?Liberal Arts Colleges also really value diversity and different perspectives....think about how you can contribute!It's a small community,and you are gonna be part of that community.So they want to hear how you will make a difference.Since classes are small,it'd also be good to talk about your passion for intimatelearning/discussions/wanting to know your professors well.......my advise:Don't focus on that alone...You really should already know what you are especiallygood at(doesn't even have to do with academics!)And then talk about that! Alright,anyone else?The questions have been really interesting!I hope you guys are finding this useful!!!。
