phd scholarship interview questions

PhD Interview Questions and Answers (13 Questions + Answers)

Most PhD applications include an interview. This allows your university (and perhaps even your prospective supervisor) to discuss the PhD with you in more detail.

This article lists some of the most common PhD interview questions along with their answers. The goal is to help you prepare for a PhD interview and pass with flying colors.

1) How did you develop this proposal?

When responding to this question, demonstrate your thought process, research skills, and the evolution of your ideas. Let's choose the subject of "Renewable Energy Integration in Urban Planning" as an example.

Sample answer:

"My proposal on 'Renewable Energy Integration in Urban Planning' originated from my undergraduate thesis on sustainable cities. Intrigued by the potential of renewable energy in urban environments, I conducted a literature review to identify gaps in current research. This review highlighted a lack of comprehensive strategies for integrating renewable technologies at a city-wide level. I then consulted with experts in urban planning and renewable energy, which provided practical insights into the challenges and opportunities in this field. I designed a methodology that combines spatial analysis with energy modeling to explore optimal renewable energy integration in urban landscapes. This proposal represents an amalgamation of academic research, expert consultation, and innovative methodology development."

This answer is effective because it mentions a literature review demonstrates the ability to conduct thorough research and identify gaps in existing knowledge.

2) Why do you wish to pursue a PhD?

For this question, it's important to articulate your passion for the subject, your long-term career goals, and how the PhD program aligns with these aspects.

Let's choose the subject of "Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare" for this example.

"I am passionate about leveraging technology to improve healthcare outcomes, and pursuing a PhD in Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare aligns perfectly with this passion. During my Master's, I was fascinated by the potential of AI to revolutionize diagnostic processes and personalized medicine. I believe a PhD will provide me with the deep technical knowledge and research skills necessary to contribute significantly to this field. My goal is to develop AI systems that enhance medical diagnostics, ultimately improving patient care and treatment efficiency. This PhD program, known for its pioneering research in AI and strong healthcare collaborations, is the ideal environment for me to develop these innovations and achieve my career aspirations in healthcare technology."

This is a great answer because you clearly state that the PhD will provide the necessary skills and knowledge, indicating a clear understanding of the purpose of the program.

3) Why do you think you are the right candidate for this PhD program?

Discuss how your research interests align with the program's strengths and the faculty's expertise. Explain how the program's resources, courses, and research opportunities can help you achieve your academic and career goals.

"I am deeply passionate about environmental science, particularly in the area of sustainable urban development. This passion was ignited during my master's program in Environmental Studies at XYZ University, where I completed a thesis on urban green spaces and their impact on city microclimates. This research not only honed my skills in data analysis and GIS mapping but also highlighted the importance of interdisciplinary approaches to environmental issues. I am drawn to your PhD program at ABC University because of its innovative research on sustainable urban planning and the renowned work of Professor Jane Smith in this field. Her research aligns with my interest in integrating green infrastructure into urban planning to mitigate climate change effects. My perseverance, attention to detail, and ability to synthesize complex data make me an ideal candidate for this challenging program. Pursuing this PhD is integral to my goal of becoming an environmental consultant, where I plan to develop strategies for cities to reduce their environmental footprint."

This response is effective because it mentions particular aspects of your experience and the program, avoiding generic statements. It also outlines how the PhD fits into your career path.

4) What do you plan to do after you have completed your PhD?

Be specific about the type of career you aspire to, whether it's in academia, industry, research, etc. Explain how the PhD will equip you with the skills and knowledge for your chosen career path.

"After completing my PhD in Computational Neuroscience, I plan to pursue a career in academia as a university professor. My doctoral research on neural network modeling will provide a strong foundation for teaching and conducting further research in this area. I aim to develop innovative courses that bridge computer science and neuroscience, addressing the growing demand for interdisciplinary knowledge in these fields. Additionally, I intend to continue my research on applying machine learning techniques to understand brain function, which has potential implications for developing new treatments for neurological disorders. This academic pathway allows me to contribute significantly to both education and research in Computational Neuroscience."

This is a great answer because it connects the PhD research directly to future career plans.

It also articulates how your work can impact both academia and the broader field of Computational Neuroscience.

5) Why have you chosen this specific PhD program?

Mention specific aspects of the program that attracted you, such as the curriculum, research facilities, faculty expertise, or reputation.

Explain how the program aligns with your research interests or academic background.

"I chose the PhD program in Artificial Intelligence at MIT because of its cutting-edge research and interdisciplinary approach, which perfectly aligns with my academic background in computer science and my passion for machine learning. The program's emphasis on both theoretical foundations and practical applications in AI is particularly appealing. Additionally, the opportunity to work under the guidance of Professor [Name], whose work in [specific area, e.g., neural networks or AI ethics] has deeply influenced my own research interests, is a significant draw. This program is an ideal fit for me to further develop my skills and contribute to the field of AI, ultimately aiming for a career in AI research and development in the tech industry."

This answer connects your background and goals to the program's offerings.

Including a specific professor's name shows detailed knowledge about the program and faculty.

6) What impact would you like your PhD project to have?

When answering this question, convey both the academic significance and the potential real-world applications of your research. Let's choose a project focused on developing eco-friendly battery technologies for electric vehicles for this example.

"My PhD project aims to develop new eco-friendly battery technologies for electric vehicles (EVs), addressing both the environmental impact of battery production and the efficiency of energy storage. I hope my research will contribute to the academic field by advancing our understanding of sustainable materials for energy storage, potentially leading to publications and patents. Beyond academia, I envision this project significantly impacting the EV industry by providing a more sustainable and efficient battery alternative. This innovation could play a crucial role in reducing the carbon footprint of transportation and supporting global efforts towards a greener future. Ultimately, I aspire for my work to not only advance scientific knowledge but also drive real-world changes in how we approach energy sustainability in transportation."

This is an excellent answer because it connects the project to larger environmental goals and societal benefits. It also reflects a forward-thinking approach, demonstrating your understanding of the project's potential long-term implications.

7) What difficulties would you expect to encounter during this project?

It's important to demonstrate awareness of potential challenges and convey a proactive mindset toward problem-solving. Let's choose a project focused on the development of a novel AI-driven diagnostic tool for early detection of neurological diseases for this example.

"In developing an AI-driven diagnostic tool for early detection of neurological diseases, I anticipate several challenges. Firstly, the accuracy and reliability of the tool depend heavily on the quality and diversity of the data used for training the AI algorithms. Obtaining a comprehensive dataset that adequately represents the population can be difficult due to privacy concerns and data availability. Secondly, ensuring the AI model's interpretability to be clinically useful while maintaining high performance is another challenge, given the complexity of neurological diseases. To address these, I plan to collaborate with interdisciplinary teams, including data privacy experts and neurologists, to source and utilize data ethically and effectively. I also intend to continuously refine the AI model, focusing on both its predictive accuracy and clinical applicability. These challenges, while significant, present valuable opportunities for innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration."

This response is effective because it clearly outlines realistic challenges specific to the AI diagnostic tool project. It also presents a proactive approach to overcoming these challenges, showing problem-solving skills.

8) How will you fund this project?

When answering this question, show that you've thought about the financial aspects of your research and are aware of funding sources that are available and applicable to your project.

"I have identified multiple funding sources to support my renewable energy research project at Stanford University. Firstly, I plan to apply for the DOE Office of Science Graduate Student Research (SCGSR) Program, which offers substantial support for projects focusing on sustainable energy. My proposal for this grant is already in progress, highlighting how my project aligns with the DOE's priorities in advancing clean energy technologies. Additionally, I'm exploring departmental fellowships at Stanford, particularly those aimed at renewable energy research. I am also keen on establishing industry partnerships, given the project's relevance to current energy challenges and the potential for collaborative funding and technological exchange. Last but not least, I will seek conference grants to present my research findings, which can lead to further academic collaborations and additional funding opportunities."

Notice how this answer mentions funding sources that align with the renewable energy focus of the project and the resources available at Stanford University.

9) Tell us about a time you experienced a setback

Focus on a situation relevant to your academic or research experience. Let's use a real-world example where a research experiment failed due to unexpected variables.

"During my Master’s thesis on the effects of soil composition on plant growth, I faced a major setback. My initial experiments, which involved growing plants in different soil types, failed to produce consistent results due to unanticipated environmental variations in the greenhouse. This was disheartening, especially as the deadline approached. However, I responded by reassessing my experimental setup. I consulted with my supervisor and decided to control more variables, such as humidity and temperature. I also refined my data collection methods to include more frequent soil and plant measurements. These adjustments led to more reliable results, and I successfully completed my thesis. This experience taught me the importance of adaptability in research and reinforced the value of meticulous experimental design."

This is a great answer because it shows how you’ve encountered and overcame a specific problem, demonstrating resilience and adaptability.

10) What are your strengths and weaknesses?

When answering this question, it's important to present a balanced view of yourself, showing self-awareness and a commitment to personal development. Choose strengths that are relevant to a PhD program and weaknesses that you're actively working to improve.

"One of my key strengths is my analytical thinking, which I demonstrated during my Master's project where I developed a novel algorithm for data analysis. This required me to not only understand complex theories but also apply them creatively to solve real-world problems. As for weaknesses, I sometimes struggle with overcommitment, taking on too many projects at once. This occasionally led to stress during my undergraduate studies. However, I am actively working on this by improving my time management skills and learning to prioritize tasks more effectively. I've started using project management tools and setting clear boundaries, which has already shown improvements in my workflow and stress levels."

This answer maintains a good balance between strengths and weaknesses. It also shows self-awareness, demonstrating a proactive approach to personal development.

11) Why have you chosen to study for a PhD at this university?

Mention specific aspects of the PhD program that attracted you. Explain how your research interests align with the work being done at the university.

"I am drawn to the PhD program in Astrophysics at Caltech due to its outstanding reputation in space research and the unparalleled resources available at the Owens Valley Radio Observatory. My research interest lies in the study of exoplanets, and Caltech's active projects in this area, such as the Zwicky Transient Facility, align perfectly with my academic goals. The opportunity to work under the guidance of Professor [Name], known for pioneering work in exoplanetary atmospheres, is particularly exciting. Additionally, Caltech's collaborative environment and emphasis on interdisciplinary research are conducive to my professional growth, providing a platform to engage with experts from various fields in astrophysics."

This response directly connects your research interests with ongoing projects and facilities at Caltech. It also shows you’ve done your research on faculty members and their work.

12) What can you bring to this research group?

Focus on your unique skills, experiences, and perspectives that will contribute to the research group's success. Let's choose the field of Biomedical Engineering at Johns Hopkins University for this example.

"As a prospective member of the Biomedical Engineering research group at Johns Hopkins University, I bring a unique combination of skills and experiences. My expertise in microfluidics, honed during my Master’s research, aligns well with the group’s focus on developing lab-on-a-chip devices for medical diagnostics. I have also co-authored two papers in this field, demonstrating my ability to contribute to high-impact research. Additionally, my experience in a start-up environment, where I worked on developing portable diagnostic tools, has equipped me with a practical understanding of translating research into applications. I thrive in collaborative settings, often bringing interdisciplinary insights that foster innovative problem-solving. I am excited about the prospect of contributing to the group’s ongoing projects and introducing fresh perspectives to advance our understanding and application of biomedical technology."

This response shows your relevant expertise, ability to work in a team, and the unique perspectives you can offer, positioning you as a valuable addition to the research group.

13) Do you have any questions for us?

Asking good questions demonstrates your motivation. It also shows that you’ve given some genuine consideration to the project and/or program you’re applying to.

Some questions you can ask the interviewer include:

What will the supervision arrangements be for the project?
What kind of training and skills sessions are offered as part of the PhD program?
How many other PhD students has this supervisor seen to completion?
Are there any major developments or partnerships planned for the department?
Are there likely to be any changes to the funding arrangements for the project?
What opportunities will I have for presenting my research?

Remember: you’re a good student, with lots of potential. You’re considering at least three years of hard work with this university. You need to know that you’ll get on with your supervisor, that your work will be appreciated and that there are good prospects for your project.

What to wear to a PhD interview

Wear formal attire for a PhD interview. Your best bet is to wear a suit. A navy blue suit is the best and most versatile option. No matter your gender, a suit is always very professional.

For men, wear a suit with a tie, dress shirt, and dress shoes. For women, wear a suit (pantsuit or skirt suit) with a blouse, or conservative dress, and closed-toe shoes.

When in doubt, it’s better to be slightly overdressed than underdressed. The goal is to make a professional impression and feel confident, without your attire distracting from the conversation.

What to expect from a PhD interview

At its core, a PhD interview will consist of questions that allow your potential supervisors to get to know you better and have an understanding of what you’d like to study, why you’ve chosen your field of study, and whether you’d be a good fit for the PhD program.

You should expect general questions to help the interviewer get a sense of your likes and dislikes, and your overall personality.

Next, expect questions about your personal motivations for studying a PhD. Your interviewer will also be interested in any relevant experience you have to qualify you to study this PhD.

In the next section, expect questions about your PhD project. You should be prepared to discuss your project idea in detail and demonstrate to the interviewer that you are the ideal candidate.

Last but not least, the interviewer will discuss your future ambitions and give you an opportunity to ask questions. Remember that this interview goes both ways.

It’s important to ask the interviewer relevant questions to show your engagement and the serious consideration you are giving their program.

You are preparing to spend several years of your life at this school. Think about what is important to you and what would make or break your decision to attend this university.

Prepare a list of questions ahead of the interview.

Understanding the interviewer’s point of view

During a PhD interview, interviewers are typically looking for a range of traits that indicate whether you are well-suited for the rigors of a doctoral program and a research career.

These traits include:

Intellectual Curiosity and Passion: A strong enthusiasm for the subject area and a desire to contribute to and expand knowledge in the field.

Research Skills and Experience: Demonstrable skills in conducting research, including designing experiments, collecting and analyzing data, and interpreting results. Prior research experience relevant to the PhD topic is often a plus.

Resilience and Perseverance: The capacity to handle setbacks and challenges, which are common in research, and to persist in the face of difficulties.

Collaboration and Teamwork: Although PhD research can be quite independent, the ability to work well with others, including advisors, faculty, and other students, is crucial.

Self-Motivation and Independence: The drive to work independently, manage one's own project, and stay motivated over the long term.

Fit with the Program: Alignment of the candidate’s research interests and goals with the strengths and focus of the PhD program and faculty.

These traits not only indicate your readiness for a PhD program but also your potential to contribute meaningfully to their field of study and succeed in a research-oriented career.

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WHAT IS A SCHOLARSHIP INTERVIEW

If you have gone to the stage where you are invited for a scholarship interview, then that's great. It means that you are the selected candidate for the scholarship award. The University board would want to demystify how important this scholarship is for you. They want to be aware of how the scholarship would materialize your career goals. So before you can claim your scholarship award, you need to answer some i nterview questions. We believe you must have been preparing for a scholarship interview. The University will attempt to assess your eligibility from your answers.

Are you sweating already? Don't worry! This article will address some likely scholarship interview questions; 4 0 scholarship interview questions from the most popular to most unexpected. So let's hit the road.

Read also: Ongoing masters scholarships for international students

5 STRONG SCHOLARSHIP INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

Tell us about yourself!
What is your greatest strength?
What is your greatest weakness?
Why do you deserve this scholarship?
Where do you see yourself in 5 years from now?

TOP 40 SCHOLARSHIP INTERVIEW QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS EXAMPLE

Don't have time to read online? Don't worry you can download 40 Scholarship interview questions and answers PDF and read at your own convenient.

1. Tell us about yourself!

This is the most popular among all scholarship interview questions and answers. This is quite an open - ended question. In the Tell me about yourself scholarship question, you might be tempted to express a lot of information about you. But don't! The answer to this question is usually concise and purposeful. This is an “ introduce yourself ” scholarship interview question. It should indicate your personality, values, goals (short - term and long - term) and accomplishments. For example:

Sample Answer:

I take personal interest in people and their careers. That's why I plan to study Human Resource Management and become a Talent Acquisition expert. I am already a certified Senior Human Resources Professional by HRCI. When I am not working, I enjoy reading personal development books and watch history documentaries.

2. What is your greatest strength?

This is one of the most common college scholarship interview questions, where you point a positive attribute of your personality to light. What makes the answer sound even more impactful is an example of where you applied your strength. Take this example.

A strength that I am proud of is my industry. When I am passionate about a particular project, I ensure I use all the resources available at my disposal to bring it to fruition. Once, I had a research proposal in school with a case study to that was quite challenging. However, I took energy and resources ( financial and non - financial). I utilised the necessary data analytics tool and obtained substantial findings. My supervisor was impressed to see that I accomplished the impossible.

3. What is your greatest weakness?

This is another typical scholarship interview question. Here you are expected to explain a weakness that has been challenging. Ensure you are sincere but at the same time, point out how you are practically trying to improve on your weakness. This would show that you are self aware and that you are striving for personal effectiveness. Back up your claim with an example that buttresses how you are working on developing yourself.

Stress management is definitely my Achilles' heel. When I am stressed with overwhelming projects or passing deadlines. I tend to get anxious and may procrastinate as a result of looking for an exit. One time, my boss asked me to conduct interviews for three executives within two days I was so overwhelmed that I ended up conducting just one. Ever since, I have been taking time management classes and have adopted diverse methods on multitasking.

4. Why do you deserve this scholarship?

Now, this is where you spell the gospel truth. It's a tough question, yes. But one way you can amaze your interviewers is by abridging what is stated in your scholarship essay . You must have explained the reasons for applying for the scholarship. It would be easy to pinpoint major statements from your essay. For example:

Psychology in Nigeria is considerably undervalued. The puritan society is made up of a logical number of people with psychological trauma. Yet, the sector of clinical psychology has not been explored as a solution to a plethora of traumatized incidences. Thus, I would like to proffer satisfactory psychotherapy for every patient that needs my attention.

5. Where do you see yourself in 5 years from now?

This question is asked in a bid to ascertain how goal - oriented you are. Every Postgraduate student has a vision for himself or herself before pursuing their scholarship opportunities. So the judges would want to know about yours. So in this scenario, you explain your passion, link it with your future goals and relate how the scholarship will benefit you.

I love numbers. And I always enjoy advising business person's based on the financial status. That's why I am planning on establishing my own audit company in 5 years from now. I am currently getting all the certifications and licenses that I need to accomplish this dream. So a masters degree in financial accounting will equip me with the necessary knowledge to pursue my future goals.

6. Who is your Role Model?

Here you are expected to relate a person in your life who has made a great impact in you. It could be a relative, it could be a friend, a senior colleague or a celebrity. Either way, you have to mention and explain why you admire him or her and perhaps relate an example of his/her virtues. In this way, the University board can see how you are capable of representing the values of your sponsor.

I admire Candy Hammer. She is an author of a lot of personal development books that shaped my perspective and incentivizes me to become a better version of me. Once, I sent an email of appreciation to her. And she replied! We had a one - on - one life coaching session. I was happy to meet this humble lady. Ever since, I am thrilled but mostly motivated than ever to incite personal development to people around me.

7. Talk about a time you overcame a challenge.

The morale of this question is to see how you overcome an unwelcoming situation. Your answer will depict how you are capable of responding prudently to challenges. Were you bullied? Were you a victim of theft? Have you had self - esteem issues? Explain how you dealt with the situation, leaving an optimistic note.

Once, I was getting back home. On my way, I was robbed at gunpoint. It was quite terrifying. I was very mortified and even so, the next day I had my final exam. When I got home safe and sound, I made a decision to not focus on the traumatizing experience I had some minutes earlier and prepare for my morning exams. And so I did. I applied emotional intelligence, wrote my exam satisfactorily and then filed a police report. Good news! I retrieved my stolen items.

8. What are your career goals?

This sounds similar to the "Where do you see yourself in 5 years from now" question. This is equally one the common questions in scholarship interview. But unlike the latter, the former question is more specific to professional aspirations. The board would want to understand where the scholarship will take you in your journey of career growth. It is advisable that you outline your long - term and short - term goals and preferably your plans of giving back to the community.

A master's degree in International Studies and Diplomacy will equip me in becoming a renowned diplomat and my country's ambassador. I am currently applying for internships in the Federal Ministry of Foreign affairs and state Ministry of Internal affairs. Also, I am getting the certifications I need and aim at giving back to my community by securing international development funds.

9. Why did you choose this school?

This is quite an easy question because you are expected to be aware of what your school of choice has to offer. But the board would want you to to express your zest for the program and understand your reasons for pursuing a degree in the school. Remember what interests you in the school. Be concise yet sincere.

As a tenacious marketing expert, I have always wanted to intensify my earning ability with knowledge. Although there are many schools who offer post graduate marketing degrees, this is the only University that teaches marketing with a global orientation. The title of the program "International Communication and Marketing Management", triggered my interest as it embodies my intention of becoming a Brand Manager of multinational company.

10. What activities are you involved in?

So this is where you explain other things you did apart from studying. Other activities such as sports, dancing, involvement groups can be explained here. Your extracurricular activities would define how interesting you are. They also reveal how much of a team player you are.

Playing chess was something I really enjoyed. It furnished my strategic and critical thinking. This activity has helped me to predict the movements of the opposing side. Therefore, it instilled in me the desire of learning forecasting techniques. This activity has a considerable contribution in my goal of studying statistics.

11. Tell us about a personal achievement that makes you proud!

Think! This is an interesting interview question for scholarship applicants. What has been a personal struggle but overtime you overcame? This can be characterized as a personal achievement. Narrate a short story of a shortcoming you had to deal with and indicate how proud you are of yourself.

I have always loved the idea of career development. But I am quite timid. One way to pursue career development is by networking with people in my field. That's quite a Herculean task. Once, I attended a career fair bust was too ashamed to initiate a discussion with anyone. I was embarrassed. But I picked up the challenge and decided to be more sociable. So I started with virtual networking and later became proficient at starting and sustaining conversations with colleagues and veterans in the corporate events.

12. Describe your biggest mistake.

This may sound similar to knowing about your weaknesses. This is where the board wants to know more about yourself awareness. Everyone has flaws. So when you admit yours, it indicates that you are humble. So ensure that you back it up with how you took responsibility of your actions.

I remember back in the elementary school, I was envious of a new entrant who always had the attention of my friends. So one day I poured a refreshment drink on her school bag, damaging all her books. Little did I know that there were cameras recording my moves! So I got suspended. But what hit the most was the disappointment in my teacher's and friends' faces. I apologized but my reputation was tarnished for a long time. So I learnt that envy is a poisonous feeling that must be put to a halt when detected and to always consider the consequences of my actions beforehand.

13. Tell us about your leadership experience.

Here is an intriguing interview question for scholarship candidates. Leadership is about discerning the potentials of your team members and guiding them in maximizing their potentials in the best possible way. You may have held a leadership position formally or informally. In any case, it is well accepted.

I used to belong to a learning and involvement group back in school where I was appointed as the in - house consultant. During my appointment, I observed that most members weren't intentional about their careers. So I carried out career coaching sessions with each member that would help them get closer to their dream job. From this experience, I furnished my problem solving and analytical skills.

14. What is your favorite book, movie or song?

This may sound silly to you for a question in scholarship interview . But the board would want to arouse an interesting side of you. So relate a book or movie that impressed you and explain why it mattered to you so much.

I am keen on the Power of Self Discipline by Brian Tracy. This book explains how the art of self - discipline has a tremendous influence in various facets of life, from personal excellence to peace of mind and happiness. This book has shaped my perspective and has embodied the quality of self discipline in my education, business, career and more.

15. What was your favorite subject in school?

Here, this high school scholarship interview question is directed to understand your attitude towards learning and development. You can think of a subject that interests you the most. Having an A or a C in the subject doesn't really matter. What matters is the specific lesson that attracted you to the subject.

My favorite subject is Ancient Greek Language. It is particularly interesting to learn a language that gave birth to the Greek Language and has contributed to the English Language. That is one of the subjects that made me consider studying Linguistics. The subject helped me to appreciate the history of language.

16. How will you use the scholarship money?

Now, here is bursary scholarship interview question and answer. This question arises in a bid to ascertain your personal, academic, professional or financial goals. You are expected to address them in a concise and convincing way.

The scholarship money will go a long way in financing my project management certifications. I will also have the opportunity to travel for a conference event that addresses current issues pertaining to project management. This conference will fortify me academically for my Master's degree.

17. Can you give an example of a time you experienced difficulty at school?

The interviewers here want to dig out what you believe is difficult. You are not expected to discuss a personal problem rather you are expected to reveal how you solved a problem. It is preferable you discuss a problem that is related to your study.

In school, I had a research project to embark on and I was almost done with the first 5 chapters of my thesis. It was very disheartening when my project supervisor asked me to change the topic and rewrite everything. So instead of being upset with him for disregarding my efforts, I decided to resolve the conflict an negotiate. He saw reasons with me and then decided to rectify just a few parts of my work. At the end, I was not only able to defend my hard work, but I also established a good rapport with my supervisor.

18. How would you describe a good school environment?

The University board is aware that students thrive better in a great learning environment. They would want to see what your ideal school environment is. You are advised to research on the facilities of the school and emphasize on a team - oriented place. Ensure that your answer aligns with the school's vision.

My ideal school environment is a place where my learning will be augmented through knowledge - friendly libraries, health and safety - oriented spaces and committed lecturers. I thrive more in a team - driven environment where group projects can be fully realized.

19. What is your definition of failure?

Getting to the stage of the scholarship interview can be rightfully labeled as success. But the board would also want you to reveal how you view failure. Before you answer, research on the expectations the University has from the new entrants. Avoid lying.

I define failure as the situation whereby one doesn't meet up to the expectations of the school or the educators. I also believe that failure sets in when one doesn't add value to oneself or the school in which he / she studies.

20. How do you set academic and career goals?

This is another possible scholarship interview questions you might meet.

Here, the interviewers want to know how clear and organized you are about your academic goals. You are expected to take a practical approach towards your goals and give a hint of why you set them.

I am future - oriented so I set goals according to the future I visualize. I set long - term goals and then short - term objectives that would materialize my goals. I write and review these goals on a piece of paper regularly as this exercise would train my subconscious mind into becoming more result - driven.

21. How do you deal with deadlines or multiple tasks?

The board would want to be aware of how you face deadlines that will arise in the course of a class project or student assignment. While answering, remember to carry the interviewer along through your plan of achieving deadlines in the task. You are also expected to so that you are organized and that you prioritize well.

I ensure that I have a positive outlook of the task at hand, then draft a plan on how to execute it and meet its deadline. I understand the importance of deadlines. They set me in motion. But If I can't meet up with the deadline, I will humbly ask for an extension.

22. Tell me about a time you work with or led a team.

When asking these questions, the interviewers seek to ascertain your competence in this situation. You are expected to give an example of where you demonstrated working in a team. Ensure that you don't sound lazy or unprofessional.

Our IT lecturer once separated our class into various teams and asked us to design a website from scratch. So my team and I decided to create a pharmacy Website. Some were saddled with the responsibility of learning the basics of a programming language. Others searched for the images while others developed the content. At the end, our website was labeled as the neatest and most organized.

23. How do you deal with stress?

The University board is aware that sometimes the semesters can cause emotional stress to students. What the interviewer wants to know is how you respond to stress. You can give an example of how you handled stress well in the past and walk your interviewer in how you managed the stress.

Time management and rest has always been my antidote to stress. I know I can't always avoid stress. But when it is within my power, I ensure that I manage my time and break my projects into smaller tasks and take some breaks in between. For example, once in school, I was asked to compose threes essays within a day. It was quite difficult because I had a test to write the next day. But applying time management surely helped me.

24. How do you build relationships with other members of a team?

The relationship that you build with your team's members can determine how productive, you will be at work. The board asks this question to see how well you can work in a team and to see level of relationship you have with one another.

I employ the art of constructive criticism. I believe that communication is key to an organized team work. When fellow team members don't meet expectations, I initially applaud them for giving their best shot, I recommend on the areas to improve and indicate that I believe in their judgement.

25. Describe yourself in three words.

This question may throw you off balance and at the same time, the interviewer wants to have a glimpse of your personality and determine if you fit. So focus on the skills and abilities that set you apart.

I am passionate, responsible and organized.

26. What would you do if there was a breakdown of communication in your study team?

The board is aware of the occasional communication breakdown that would take place from time to time in a project team. Like in every scenario, they want to determine your response to such a problem. You can show that you recognize the importance of communication.

I would be quick to ascertain the reason behind the breakdown. After hearing from my team members, I would proffer solutions that appease any issue that might have risen so that we could get back to work. Once, my team and I had a crucial presentation. So a day before, there was some bickering between two team members. I quickly resolved the issue before it escalated ; thus, not interrupting our work productivity.

27. How do you start a project?

This may sound like one of these academic scholarship interview questions. The interviewers here are looking for your communication skills. They want to ascertain your thought process, so emphasize on the importance of communication in every project and avoid the impression that you are perfect.

I espouse the value of Communication. That is the only driving force for teamwork. So when I am assigned to a project, I try to understand the results expected or the goal to be realized. Then I communicate this to my team members to ensure we all full grasp grasp what is expected of us.

28. What is the most significant conflict you had with another classmate and how did you resolve it?

This is a behavioral question that the interviewer ask to understand what the student would likely do when he / she is granted the admission. Here you show the board that you have conflict resolution skills and back up your claim with an example.

Once, while my team and I were working on a school project, a team member insulted me and repeatedly claimed that I was a hypocrite ad walked away. Initially, I felt embarrassed but after some moments, I decided to approach and talk to her that same day. I apologized for making her feel this but expressed my harmless intentions. She listened and then it turned out to be a minor misunderstanding that was quickly resolved.

29. Describe some times when you were not very satisfied or pleased with your performance.

The committee would love to determine how you care about your presentations and how you measure your success. Ensure that talk about a previous project or assignment handled along with an example relevant to the scholarship you are applying for.

I once had a presentation to handle in class with so much data. While I was elaborating on the analysis, my teacher interrupted me and claimed that my data was misrepresented and wrongly deployed. I was shattered. However, I decided to go on a two days workshop on Advanced Data Analysis. I employed new techniques on my assignment and ask my lecturer to give me another chance. He did! I presented my work. The lecturer was amazed, the class was impressed and I was proud of myself.

30. Tell me about a time when you went above your duty to do a project.

The board wants to ascertain how passionate and intentional you can be when you are involved in a job. They also want to view your level of responsibility. So when answering this question, focus on the qualities and not on the situation.

Personally, going above my duty means going beyond my jurisdiction in order to get a job done. Once, when I was in school, my team and I had a stage play at a particular Hall but was too messed up to rehearse with. And our play was the next day. So I joined the housekeeping team in tidying a tremendously disorganized room. At the end, my team and I rehearsed right on time.

31. Tell me about a time you disagreed with a decision that was made at school.

The interviewers are aware that a team can work cohesively but there would be bones of contention from time to time. They want to see how you handle disagreements. So you focus on the decision you disagreed with, why and the alternative you have gave.

My team and I were appointed as the event planners of the end - of - the - year party. My team leader suggested we create awareness by printing out advert leaflets and distribute them to classes. I disagreed with the suggestion because I believed that it would have been time - consuming and expensive. I recommended online presence and social media marketing. He was thrilled. We employed that strategy and there was a great turnout at the party.

32. Can you give me an example of a time you solved a problem.

Simply put, the committee is asking for your problem - solving skills and how well you deal with challenges. So you are expected to identify a problem you once sved and clearly explain the method byou used.

As an In - House consultant at a student group, I noticed that our tutors were focused on enlightening our members pertaining to professional qualifications, technical and soft skills but we didn't teach our students how to make money. So I suggested we shift our focus on financial literacy and entrepreneurship. Ever since, we have heard lots of members acquiring professional qualifications by themselves.

33. What would you do if you had a bad lecturer?

This is another school scholarship interview questions. The lecturers in the University may have a different ideology from you. Therefore, the committee would want to see how you can handle such differences.

Initially, I may ask other students how they deal with a person like that. I would try to understand his character and personality. I would also discover what he dislikes so I avoid anything that may irritate him or what he likes so as to approach him more often.

34. What does motivation mean to you?

The question can be tricky because it is broad. So focus on honestly talking on something that motivates you and tie it with the scholarship you are applying for.

Exercising positive affirmations is a massive motivation for me. It helps in redefining a more optimistic mindset that embraces hopes and goal setting. Positive affirmations helps to having a deterministic view and be result driven.

35. How do you minimize the risk of errors in your assignments?

This is a competency based question that is used to evaluate a candidate's accuracy and have responsibility. He or she can minimize mistakes on school project. Here you are expected to give instances of your accuracy.

One way I ensure that I deliver an error - free work is by proofreading. This helps me a lot in giving out a seemless assignment. When it comes to data, I employ renowned softwares that can foster proper data gathering, analysis and presentation.

36. Describe the Internet to someone that is just waking from a 50 years comma.

In this scenario, you are expected to exhibit your creativity skills. To win the University board over, you can even be a bit humorous.

The internet is like a cobweb. A spider has access to different strokes of the cobweb from where it stands. Like the cobweb, the internet is a place where you have access to many sectors right from where you are standing.

37. Tell us what you have done to prepare for this scholarship.

The committee, in this case, would want to see if you have what it takes to study in their institution. It would be your job to convince them that you have the necessary education, qualifications, experience and skills for this award.

Studying a Master's degree in English and literature has definitely been my dream. I can vividly remember the many hours I would spend in reading Jane Austen's literature. Soon, I was triggered to study English and Literature as an undergraduate . Then, I started my own book club and I am a licensed author. So I am convinced that I have the werewithals for this scholarship award.

38. If you are an animal, what animal would you be?

The interviewers wouldn't try to be offensive. Rather, they want to ascertain your thought process and creativity. Asking you to describe yourself using an animal is meant to understand your personality type. Ensure that you avoid choosing an animal with poor qualities.

If I were to be an animal, that should be a butterfly. A butterfly is always one stage or another of development waiting for it's day to fly. I see every educational asset that I have acquired as a stage from me to grow academically and professionally.

3 9. Do you have any questions for me?

Never go on an interview without planning a couple of questions before hand. You must ALWAYS have questions to ask in a scholarship interview. It shows that you came prepared and organized.

What are my career prospects from this course of study? What is the University expecting from me? Do you have any advice as I prepare for college?

4 0. Is there anything you would like to add?

Review some of the questions you earlier answered and see if there is anything you have forgotten to add. If not, end the conversation with an appreciation.

Thank you for giving the chance of an interview and the time to speak with me!

QUESTIONS TO ASK A SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE

As earlier mentioned you will leave a greater impression if you have questions to ask during a scholarship interview. It would show how curious you are and how you are willing to take this course of study!

Questions like this?

What are my career prospects from this course of study?
What is the University expecting from me?
Do you have any advice as I prepare for college?

SCHOLARSHIP INTERVIEW QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS PDF

So this brings us to the end of a comprehensive guide with scholarship interview questions and answers sample. This guide is elephantine. So having a “frequently asked scholarship interview questions and answers pdf ” wouldn’t be a bad idea.

Download: Scholarship interview questions and answers pdf

Questions like “what would you do with the scholarship money?” would be addressed in the bursary scholarship interview questions and answers pdf. In this way, you can download this content at your disposal anytime and anywhere. Having access to such a precious document without the need of Internet connection will prepare you mentally to ace that interview.

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How to Prepare for a PhD Interview

So, you’ve been invited for a PhD interview. Congratulations! This means that the admission committee considers you appropriately qualified and academically capable of doing a PhD in their program. This next step will allow them to determine if you’re a good fit, and you have the motivation and drive to complete a PhD. The interview is your opportunity to show the committee who you are, what your interests are, why their program is the right place for you to explore them.

There are many different formats for a PhD interview and varying degrees of formality. You may have a one-on-one interview with your potential supervisor over Skype, a formal interview in front of a panel, be asked to give a presentation to the department, or an informal chat with your potential supervisor and their students over lunch. Regardless of the level of formality, you should still do your homework and prepare for the interview. You cannot predict the specifics of the questions that they will ask you, but certain topics are almost inevitable.

Here are some ways to prepare for your interview:

Review your research proposal or statement of purpose. The interviewer will likely make reference to it during the interview. Go over the experiences that have prepared you for a PhD and be ready to give specific examples during the interview. Be able to explain the reasons why you applied to this program in particular.
Be prepared to talk about your research interests in detail. You likely gave an overview in your proposal or statement of purpose, but the interview is your chance to show that you have put some thought into what you wrote. Show that you have the required background knowledge, including knowledge of the key people in your research area, methodologies you plan to use, or studies you want to reference.
Think about your motivation for pursuing a PhD. The interviewers want to know you have put some thought into the decision to pursue a PhD. They also want to gauge your commitment to the project before they invest time and money in you. Think about how a PhD will help you achieve your career goals.
Read your potential supervisor’s work. This shows you are serious about working with them. Demonstrate why you want to work with them in particular and how their expertise will be essential to your research. If you are interviewing for a small program, familiarize yourself with the work (or at least the fields of expertise) of the other faculty members.
Familiarize yourself with current scholarship in the field. This is another way to demonstrate your engagement with field and that you can think critically about the current debates. You should know how your proposed research will fit into the current scholarship and what makes it unique.

Remember that this interview goes both ways. You are preparing to spend at least three years (likely more) of your life here. Think about what is important to you and what would make or break your decision to attend this university. Come to the interview prepared with some questions for the interviewer. Potential questions could include:

What do they do to promote work/life balance?
What can your potential mentor/supervisor do to advance your career?
How does your potential supervisor mentor students?
What is the program’s job placement record?
What sort of resources does the university have? (Libraries, lab equipment etc.)
What are their funding sources?
What is the program’s average time to degree?
Will I have the opportunity to teach/present/patent/publish?

If your interview is taking place on-campus or you are invited to visit the campus after being accepted, take the opportunity to talk to some of the current grad students. They will offer you a frank take on the program and the inside scoop on what it’s like to work with your potential supervisor. Also, consider the fact that you will be spending a considerable amount of time around these people for the next few years. Will you fit in with them as a friend and colleague? How social is the department? Do they do activities together outside of the university? Do they seem supportive of each other, or are they competitive? This information will help inform your decision.

A Note on the Skype Interview

Skype interviews are becoming increasingly common, especially for international students. There are a few practical tips to keep in mind when setting up for an online interview. Do your interview somewhere where you have a strong internet connection, usually at home or in a quiet office. If you have roommates, make sure they are aware of when your interview is and understand not to disturb you during the interview. Choose your location carefully. You want a well-lit area with a tidy, neutral background. If possible, face a natural light source. Place your computer on top of a pile of books so that the camera is almost at eye level (a more natural angle). Look at the camera when you speak to make “eye contact” with the interviewer.

The interview is your time to shine, and being prepared will allow you to do just that.

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Dos and don’ts of a phd interview.

Studying for a PhD is an amazing academic achievement, as well as serious time commitment , and it's certainly not one for the faint-hearted. Once you've decided to embark on this academic path, your PhD interviewer needs to be sure that you are able to rise to the challenge and are academically capable of achieving this ultimate goal. And the PhD interview is how they assess your potential for a place on the program when applying for a PhD .

Your PhD interview will consist of questions that will enable your potential supervisors to get to know you better and have an understanding of what you’d like to study, why you’ve chosen your field of study, and whether you’d be a good fit for the PhD program.

This interview will also give you the opportunity to ask questions about the program and the university to make sure it’s the place you’d like to study.

Here, we've compiled a list of dos and don'ts of a PhD interview from the interviewer's perspective, to hopefully guarantee you success when answering the PhD interview questions and thus beginning your Doctorate journey.

PhD interview questions to help you prepare

Your interviewers will ask a range of different questions in order to determine whether you will be let into the PhD program . They will ask different types of questions to get an idea of who you are, what your interests are, and how much of an asset your research will be to the university.

General PhD interview questions

One important aspect of the PhD interview is for the interviewers to get a good idea of who the interviewee is.

They will do this by asking a series of questions that are more general to try and get a sense of your likes and dislikes, and your overall personality. These opening questions could be viewed as ‘warm up questions’ and are likely to also include questions and discussions about your academic history, reasons why you are interested in your particular research topic, and why you’re studying a PhD.

Example questions could include:

What is your academic background?
Describe your personal qualities?
What sets you apart from the other candidates?
What are your strengths and weaknesses?

The PhD interviewer will ask you questions about your motivation to study a PhD, which you should find straightforward to answer as you clearly have a keen interest and knowledge in a particular research topic to be considering studying it at PhD level. Now all you need to do is illustrate to the interviewer why you are the right person for this PhD at their university.

The first way to do this is to go into detail about your personal motivations for studying a PhD. Do you have a historical or family link with this topic? Was it an area you covered in your bachelors degree that you now want to explore further? Are you destined for a career in academia?

Another thing you should demonstrate in your PhD interview is what experience you’ve had either academically, personally or in the workplace that has strengthened your passions for your research.

It is also important to show that you have researched the university, the supervisor and your project. If many universities offer this particular PhD course, then why did you choose this specific one? Do they have resources that will be useful? Is there a supervisor you’d like to work with?

Example questions that you can expect to receive at this stage in your PhD interview could include:

Why are you motivated to pursue a PhD and why in this specific field?
Why did you choose this university?
Why did you choose this program?
Tell us about a time you experienced a setback

Relevant experience

Your PhD interviewer will be interested in any relevant experience you have to qualify you to study this PhD. Use your answers to draw attention to your specific qualifications that may not be obvious from your CV or project. Discuss other courses that you’ve taken, past research, etc. Use this time to reassure your prospective supervisor that you have the skills and experience needed to undertake a doctorate.

Consider what is the critical knowledge and skills needed for this project and explain to the interviewer how you meet these.

Don’t just summarise your CV as the interviewer has already seen this. They will want to see your passion and motivation for your research project.

Example questions they may ask at this stage could be:

What experience do you have that makes you suitable for this particular PhD and in what ways?’
Why should we choose you?

Your PhD project

Interviewers will want to know that students understand their project and the research involved in successfully studying a PhD.

You should be prepared to discuss your project idea in detail and demonstrate to the interviewer that you are the ideal candidate. For example, you should explain that you understand the current gaps in knowledge around your topic and how you propose to fill these gaps. Show that you know what your aims and objectives are and how your efforts will contribute to the research field.

Here are some example questions to help you discuss your PhD project:

How are you planning to deliver your project on time?
What will you do if you do not find the expected results?
What difficulties would you expect to encounter during this project?
How did you develop this proposal?

Future ambitions

It’s important for students to know where their work may lead them. Knowing how a PhD will help achieve this, and articulating these aspirations to the interviewer, will give the interviewer a better picture of the student’s goals.

If the goal is to have an academic career, use this as an opportunity to show the interviewer that you understand the academic career path.

An example question at this stage could be:

How will this PhD open the door for future ambitions and aspirations?

Your own questions

As well as being properly prepared to answer questions about your PhD proposal, it is also important to ask your own questions to the interviewer to make sure that this is the university and PhD program that you’re looking for.

Example questions that you could ask a potential supervisor could include:

Are you likely to remain at the university for the duration of my PhD program?
Are there good links within a specific industry/work field for your post-PhD career?
How many PhD students to you supervise at one time?
How much contact time am I likely to get?

PhD interview questions: DOs

"Brand" yourself. Show your personality . We must remember you for something besides your academic skills.
Be confident and sure of your abilities, but don’t be overconfident. You are not the best in everything that you do, so don't pretend you are!
If we ask you a witty question, reply with a witty answer.
All PhD interviews are different. Be flexible when preparing for your interview and don’t take anyone’s advice as definite, instead use it to build upon.
Avoid simple yes or no answers.
Show that you are an independent and original thinker by engaging in debate and supporting your arguments with reasonable statements. However, always be polite and argue without insulting us.
Be professional. Professionals can find the right measure between being serious and being informal.
Show that you care about what you want to study and about what we do, and don’t be interested in our PhD program just to get the title.
Research what we do. We don’t want to talk to someone who knows nothing about our work.

PhD interview questions: DON’Ts

Don’t undermine the importance of ‘soft’ general questions like “Where do you see yourself in future?” or “What is motivating you to do the PhD?”
Don’t be passive in communication. We are interviewing you, but you are also interviewing us.
Don’t give too general answers. Be specific and to the point because that will show us that you are not feigning but you know what you are talking about.
Don’t get nervous if you think the interview is not going well. In many cases this is just your personal impression, which may be wrong.
Don’t come dressed as if you just woke up – make an effort!
Don’t talk jargon. It is not very likely that we were born in the same place or have the same background, so we may not understand what you are saying.
Don’t try to pretend that you are someone you're not. We don’t like pretentiousness and can usually see straight through it.
Don’t try to be too funny. We may have a different sense of humour than you do, especially if you come from a different culture.
Don’t become too emotional during the PhD interview. Enthusiasm is good but not if it’s exaggerated, then it becomes quite off-putting.

Summary of PhD interview questions

This table shows some examples of different categories of questions you might enounter at a PhD interview.

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15 Scholarship Interview Questions (and How to Respond)

Will Geiger is the co-founder of Scholarships360 and has a decade of experience in college admissions and financial aid. He is a former Senior Assistant Director of Admissions at Kenyon College where he personally reviewed 10,000 admissions applications and essays. Will also managed the Kenyon College merit scholarship program and served on the financial aid appeals committee. He has also worked as an Associate Director of College Counseling at a high school in New Haven, Connecticut. Will earned his master’s in education from the University of Pennsylvania and received his undergraduate degree in history from Wake Forest University.

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Cait Williams is a Content Writer at Scholarships360. Cait recently graduated from Ohio University with a degree in Journalism and Strategic Communications. During her time at OU, was active in the outdoor recreation community.

Bill Jack has over a decade of experience in college admissions and financial aid. Since 2008, he has worked at Colby College, Wesleyan University, University of Maine at Farmington, and Bates College.

Maria Geiger is Director of Content at Scholarships360. She is a former online educational technology instructor and adjunct writing instructor. In addition to education reform, Maria’s interests include viewpoint diversity, blended/flipped learning, digital communication, and integrating media/web tools into the curriculum to better facilitate student engagement. Maria earned both a B.A. and an M.A. in English Literature from Monmouth University, an M. Ed. in Education from Monmouth University, and a Virtual Online Teaching Certificate (VOLT) from the University of Pennsylvania.

15 Scholarship Interview Questions (and How to Respond)

If you have applied to some scholarships, especially full ride scholarships and other competitive merit scholarships , you may be invited to interview as part of the application process.

The scholarship interview can be a daunting part of the application process. That’s why it is so important to practice through some of the most common scholarship interview questions.

While every scholarship interview will be different–some involve single interviews, while others require multiple interviews. Students may be interviewed by a single interviewer, and/or multiple interviewers during the selection process. However, there are certain basic questions that you are likely to encounter no matter what the scholarship interview process involves.

Jump ahead to:

Common scholarship interview questions (and how to respond)

Other scholarship interview questions, 7 tips to ace your scholarship interview.

Keep on reading to learn about the common scholarship interview questions you might be asked, as well as some strategies for answering the questions.

Related: How to start a scholarship essay (with examples)

Below are some of the general questions you might be asked in your scholarship interview. While these questions may be more general, it is a mistake to think of these as mere “warmup” questions.

Tell me about yourself.

How to respond? The best approach to this question is to briefly pitch yourself as a scholarship candidate. You don’t need to go over your whole life story, but you should succinctly discuss how your experiences uniquely qualify you for the scholarship.

Who has been a role model for you?

How to respond? Be genuine when answering this question. The goal is not to name the most impressive role model–some of the best role models can be family members or friends who are not famous or well-known.

However, you should try to be specific and use specific stories or anecdotes to explain your reasoning.

What’s your greatest strength?

How to respond? This is a classic interview question and an opportunity to share how you will be a successful student or scholarship recipient.

While it can be tempting to list a few strengths, you should try to keep it narrowed and use examples to show that you possess the strengths.

Tell me about a mistake that you’ve made.

How to respond? This can be a tricky question for many students. The important thing is to discuss a real mistake that you learned and more importantly, grew from.

Additionally, your mistake should not be so big that it might make the interviewer question your candidacy for the scholarship.

Why do you want to receive this scholarship?

How to respond? Your response to this question will depend on what the scholarship award is–a financial grant, enrichment opportunities, admission to the honors college, etc.

You should be honest, but also try to bring your response back to how you would contribute to the college as a student and alumni. Ultimately, scholarships are investments for organizations to support students who will make an impact.

Related: Overview of common scholarship essay prompts

Here are some other interview questions that you might encounter in a scholarship interview:

How has your experience at [insert high school] been?
What has been your favorite class and why?
Who has been your most inspiring teacher?
Do you have any ideas of what you might like to study in college?
In your high school career has there been a paper or project that was particularly thought-provoking? Tell me more about it.
How do you like to spend your free time?
What is your favorite book?
How would your best friend describe you?
What has been the most meaningful activity/involvement from the past few years?
Is there anything you are looking forward to trying in college?
Before the interview, spend some time thinking about your experiences, achievements, and aspirations. This will help you get in the mindset for your interview.
Additionally, you should spend some time researching the scholarship awarding organization to learn more about its mission and the students who have won scholarships previously.
Arrive for the interview early (and plan for traffic, train delays, etc.)
Dress professionally, but comfortably (when in doubt about attire, you can always reach out to the scholarship awarding organization)
Stories are powerful–when answering questions you should always elaborate with specific examples or anecdotes
After the interview, you should send your interviewer a thank you card, letter, or email
Finally, it’s okay to be a bit nervous! The interviewer knows that this is a stressful process. Take a deep breath and do your best!

Read more: Ace your college admissions interview in 60 seconds

Final thoughts

Looking to make the college admissions process? We have so many resources to help you out! Get expert advice on how many colleges to apply to , what safety, match, and reach schools are, and how to choose a college . Finally, be sure to apply early and often to all the scholarships you qualify for!

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What to do before the interview.

It is important to treat the PhD interview like a job interview. Dress smartly and bring two printed copies of your application form. It is also useful to bring your research proposal or your notes on how you will fit into the existing research project. Organise materials neatly so that you can quickly access any information requested, but also commit crucial details to memory—and rehearse.

Do background research on the university, the department, and the academics who will interview you. Prepare several informed questions about their current research and the overall research culture in the department.

Make sure you know where and when the interview will occur and arrive ahead of time. If possible, visit the building in advance. You will feel more at ease if the surroundings are a little familiar.

To avoid embarrassment, try to find out how to pronounce the names of staff members you will meet.

Tell us about yourself.

Include not only your academic background, but your personal motivation—and particularly what motivates you to do in-depth research in this specific field of study.

Why have you applied to do a PhD here?

This is where research can give you an edge. Show that you have chosen this programme/department/university for strong and valid reasons, such as your high regard for named researchers’ work, the availability of specific collections, equipment, or lab resources, and overall reputation. Give concrete examples, not banal generalities.

What can you do for us?

Academics will have to give up a great deal of time to supervise you, most of which they will receive no scheduled hours or recognition for. So, what research skills, personal attributes, connections, theoretical ideas and so on do you have that will make it worth their while? Again, give specific and concrete examples.

What do you think pursuing a PhD will do for you?

If you plan to become an academic, say so, but not in terms of just getting a job—talk about your long-term research plans . If applying to a professional doctorate programme, show that you understand the realistic career impact. Applicants pursuing a PhD towards the end of their career may want to talk about gaining recognition for innovative practice or solving complex issues through research. It is important to showcase your knowledge, motivation, background and commitment at this point.

What skills do you have that make you a good fit for the PhD place you have applied for or for the department?

Tailor your response specifically: Play up your strengths, including any prior research training and experience. Discuss project management skills, leadership skills, interpersonal skills, collaborative working, critical thinking and international experience or understanding.

Tell us about your research project.

If proposing your own topic, over-prepare. Refer to current scholarship and explain how your cutting-edge work will break new ground. If applying to join a project, show that you understand its value and demonstrate that you are the right person to make it happen. Be enthusiastic!

What would you say are your greatest strengths and weaknesses?

Yes, that tired job-interview question will appear here as well. Make sure the strengths you list include examples, and your “weaknesses” are also “strengths”—for example, “sometimes I’m a terrible perfectionist.” It is important to mention and demonstrate how your determination reaps project succession. The panel will want to know that you will persist in completing the PhD. Demonstrate this!

Tell us about a challenge you have overcome in the past.

It’s best to choose a research challenge as your answer: for example, how you handled an issue during your Master’s dissertation such as a disagreement with a supervisor or an issue with ethical approval. If you use a career or personal challenge, show how you used research or project-management skills to solve it.

What do you see as the most important issue/problem in this field today?

This question gives you space to show your knowledge of current research, theory and practice. Use this as an opportunity to showcase your knowledge.

Is there anything you would like to ask us?

This is your chance to show how informed you are and position yourself as an intellectual equal. Be prepared . Be ready.

We hope you found our Top Ten PhD Interview Questions and Answers article useful.

Find your PhD here

More phd tips:.

How To Write PhD Proposals

How to do a Distance Learning PhD at a UK university

Become a Researcher – 5 Skills You Need

PhD Funding – A Checklist of Possible Sources

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Keep up-to-date on postgraduate related issues with our quick reads written by students, postdocs, professors and industry leaders.

Questions to Ask During Your PhD Interview

By Zebastian D.
August 22, 2020

As someone applying for PhD positions, you’ll no doubt be thinking of and preparing for the interview with your potential supervisor(s). You’re absolutely right to be doing this and planning your answers to some of the PhD interview questions that they’ll probably ask you; make sure you’ve read our guide on this to help you prepare.

Remember though that the PhD student-supervisor relationship works both ways; as much as the potential supervisor is interviewing you for a PhD position within their lab, you should also have the mindset that you’re also interviewing the professor for the role of supervisor, and be ready to ask questions! Ultimately the key thing you want to know after your PhD interview is you are both a good fit for each other.

With that in mind, I’ve prepared a common list of questions that you should consider asking to help you decide if the supervisor and the research lab is the right fit for you. You don’t need to ask all these questions but instead use this list as a guide for picking what feels most important to you.

I should also note that some of the answers to these questions can usually be found through a quick Google search of the potential supervisor or looking at their university profile. So do think about which questions in particular you want to bring up in person at the PhD interview.

Now on to the questions….

How many PhD students have you supervised previously, and did they all gain their PhDs?

You’re asking this to firstly work out how experienced the professor is at supervising students, based purely on the numbers previously supervised. The reason to ask the second question of how many students gained PhDs is to get an idea of the supervisor’s track record of successful supervision. The lower the percentage of students that went onto complete their PhD under his or her supervision (and not leave the program early ), the more alarm bells that should be ringing for you. This of course shouldn’t be your only data point in the decision-making process, and you should try and find out more about why those that left their PhD program before completion, did so. Equally it’s also a possibility that some students have been successful in their PhD research in spite of a supervisor’s lack of support. A good way to get a truer sense of this is by speaking to the supervisor’s current and past students.

Whilst a supervisor’s successful track record can be reassuring, don’t be put off if they haven’t supervised many (or even any) students before, particularly if they’re still fairly new in the job. There are many other ways in which you can get a sense of the supervisor-student fit.

How many years does a PhD project usually take in your lab?

If you’re in the UK, a full time PhD should normally take you 3-4 years to complete , as reflected by most funding grants for PhD research being for this time frame. You want to know and have some reassurance that most students in this lab do finish within this time frame. Asking this question will also help you better understand the supervisor’s attitude towards completion time frames; is this someone that would have no issue with a student that’s been working on their PhD for 6 years or are they driven to help students complete ‘on time’.

What are the key milestones for progression that you expect from students?

This is a good follow on from the previous question. Some supervisors can be very ‘hands off’ and set no expectations on their students about deliverables and if this is the type of student-supervisor relationship you’re after (which some are), then perfect!

However, whilst a PhD project is an independent body of work, that doesn’t mean you have to do it in isolation. Having a supervisor that also acts as a mentor is important; a key aspect of this is to help keep you on track to complete your project ‘in time’, which is most effectively done using regular milestones.

The actual milestones will vary between supervisors but what you’re looking for in their response is some indication that they’ve actually thought about them. Examples of milestones may be the completion of the literature review within the first 6 weeks of starting, first experimental data captured by month 3 and first paper published by the time you end year 1.

How many other students do you supervise?

You ideally don’t want your supervisor to have too many (>5) other PhD students under his or her supervision at any one time, simply because of the dilution of their time that will naturally occur. Being part of an active research lab is a big advantage however, so you don’t necessarily want to be the only student under their supervision either. Remember that the professor may also be responsible for several Master’s and undergraduate students too so you just need to know what to realistically expect from him in terms of available time to meet with you regularly.

How often do you meet with your PhD students?

You don’t want a supervisor that’s too prescriptive in how you run your project, but you do want someone who you know you can rely on to meet with regularly. Some professors set weekly one-on-one or group research meetings that occur at the same time, day and venue; you know exactly what you’re getting here. Others tend to meet less frequently but still at regular intervals. A good balance would be to have catch up meetings every 2 weeks but it’s important to know upfront what the expectations are from both sides about how often to meet.

Finding a PhD has never been this easy – search for a PhD by keyword, location or academic area of interest.

How flexible is the direction of the PhD project?

At the PhD level of higher education, the supervisor is there to provide mentorship and guidance to help you avoid going in a completely wrong direction with your research. You should however expect to have the freedom to take your project in any direction you want to (within reason). This should be the case even if it means deviating from the original research questions that were proposed at the start; you and your supervisor should be in agreement before you start about how much flexibility there can be. Remember too that sometimes the project may have to stay closely aligned to the original plan if it’s required by the industry funder, so this decision may be out of the supervisor’s hands to some extent.

What funding is available for this project?

You should know by the time you come to interview if the project is to be self-funded or if there is specific funding associated with it. It may feel like an awkward question to ask but you need to be very clear on how much of a living stipend you should expect and if there is any additional funding for things such as conference travel, paying for journal publication fees or other bench fees; you don’t want any unpleasant surprises about finances when you’ve already started the PhD.

Do you expect there to be any changes in funding during the course of the project?

Specifically, you want to find out if there’s any risk that the funding associated with the project could be removed. Most often, funding bodies don’t transfer the entire monetary amount of the agreed funding up front in one lumpsum (which can be in excess of £75,000 for a 3-year studentship). Instead, payments are made in instalments and may be done so on the basis that certain milestones are met. For industry funded projects, for example, there may be a service work element (such as specialist analysis using university-based equipment) associated with the funding which will need to be delivered on time for the university to continue to receive money. In reality a complete loss of funding is unlikely to happen, but you should find out if this is at all a possibility of happening.

What is the source of the funding?

It’s important for you to understand how your project will be funded. As discussed in the previous question, the specific funder may place certain requirements on the university that need to be fulfilled to receive the funds. Don’t let this put you off applying or even impact your decision to take on the specific project, but it’s an important factor to be aware of.

Are there any opportunities to earn additional money as a PhD student?

Even if you will receive a stipend during the course of your research project, it comparatively won’t be a lot of money to live on. If you want it, the opportunity to earn extra money can make a big difference in managing your finances. This may in the form of one day/week working as a research technician or paid work preparing and delivering lectures to undergraduate students. It’s useful to know if these opportunities will exist to help you manage your expectations about your finances. Make sure you don’t let yourself feel obligated to take on this additional work however, even if it is paid; the priority will be ensuring your research progresses on schedule.

Will I have the opportunity and be expected to publish papers?

In the UK there is no requirement for you to have published any journal papers before you are awarded a PhD. Doing so however can go some way towards making your final viva that much easier, and also giving you a ‘head-start’ on your publication track record if you continue on into academia after your PhD.

You should get a sense of if your potential supervisor sees an opportunity for you to publish your research, if this is something that you want to do. Equally you should be aware of the supervisor’s expectations about publishing to avoid any potential conflict between your supervisor wanting you to publish work during your PhD and you wanting to wait until you’re in the post-doc stage before writing papers.

How many papers have previous PhD students published with you?

Knowing the answer to this should give you a good idea about the expectations and opportunities of publishing papers during your PhD. It’s certainly a positive sign to know that previous students have successfully published their research and is often a sign of a good supervisory system being in place.

How often does your research group present at academic conferences?

Having the opportunity to present your research at an academic conference is a key experience to have obtained during your time as a PhD student. Some supervisors actively encourage this and ensure that all funding applications include allocations for paying for conference related fees. Others are less convinced about the value of students going to conferences, particularly due to the additional expense of doing so, and may therefore not be as supportive of conference participation.

It’s useful to know what the norm is within the supervisor’s research group so that there are no surprises further down the line.

Is there funding support available for attending conferences?

Again, to be clear on expectations of funding and support for conference attendance, you should find out if there are funds specifically allocated for this purpose. If there aren’t, does the supervisor actively provide support to their students in applying for additional funding for this?

Are there courses and training sessions available for PhD students?

Find out if there are extra resources available to you should you want to use them. For example, do the supervisors students go on paper writing courses, or workshops on how to perform literature reviews? There are lots of new things that you’ll be doing during your PhD, especially at the beginning so it’s good to know that there’s external help available if and when you need it.

What are your past PhD graduates doing now?

This is an interesting one to find out from the supervisor. Are most of their graduates continuing their career development within academia or have many moved into industry work or even to a field completely different to their area of research? Ideally, you’d want this to align with your own career options. If most PhD holders have gone into industry whereas you want to pursue an academic career, you should try and find out why they ended up leaving academia. For example, did these graduates initially have aspirations of becoming professors themselves but were not able to do so or does your particular field normally open up more opportunities within industry?

What kind of support do you or the university provide for helping with jobs after?

In particular, what role does the supervisor play in helping their recent PhD graduates find their next job role? Do they have any connections within industry that they’d be able to help you network with? Or have any of their past PhD students stayed on in the lab as post-docs and are there resources in place for you to potentially do the same?

Will there be opportunities to teach undergraduate students?

The opportunity to give lectures to undergraduate students or lead tutorials with them can be a good way to earn some extra money during your PhD (note though that not all universities/departments formally pay PhD students to do this). Getting teaching experience is also important if you’re planning on continuing on down an academic career path at a university so it’s useful if you can gain some of this during your PhD.

Do you as a lab do any team activities together?

This will help you get a sense of the environment you’ll be working in for at least the next three years. Is this a lab with several PhD students and post-docs that make up an active ‘research family’? Does the team ever go out for lunch together or day trips away together to unwind? This can be a great way to build a sense of comradery in a research job that can often feel like you’re working alone in. Some supervisors actively encourage and get involved in nurturing a team environment whilst others are more hands-off, leaving the students to do their own thing.

What is the work environment like? Do students work in a shared office space?

Be clear on what your daily workspace will be like at the lab and university. Do all PhD students sit together in an open space or are there smaller office spaces for one or two students to work in? Some people prefer the buzz of an open space whilst others like the quiet of lone working. Either way, you should know what your work environment will look like for the next three years and plan accordingly (e.g. buy some noise cancelling headphones if you need some quite time in the open plan office).

I’ve given you a number of different questions to think about and ask your potential supervisor at your PhD interview. Not all of them may be relevant, or even appropriate to ask, so do think carefully about which ones you do want to bring up at the interview and which answers you could find out independently by either speaking to other students or looking online. Your research project and your experiences at the university will be so much more enjoyable if you can make sure you and your supervisor are a good fit for each other. The best way to do this is to ask questions!

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PhD interview is a crucial part of the admission process. To help you prepare, we’ve put together a list of the best PhD interview questions! Check it out!

How do you get admitted to a graduate school? In most cases, there are at least two stages. In the first stage, you need to make an official application to your grad school and answer their questions. Then, in the second step, you may be invited for a PhD interview during which a panel, usually comprising your supervisory team, will be asking you interview questions.

If you want to become a successful PhD student, you really need to nail these PhD interview questions and use this interview as an opportunity to showcase your motivation and dedication to your academic career.

I know there is quite a lot of confusion about what PhD interview looks like and what are common PhD interview questions. Are you wondering how to prepare for a PhD interview? Let me share what I look for when I’m interviewing prospective PhD students.

Table of Contents

Structure of a PhD interview

Before I’ll talk about the most common PhD interview questions, let me briefly outline what you can expect during the interview itself.

Depending on the graduate school and the preference of the prospective supervisor, the interview can be very formal or quite informal. The structure of the interview may also vary depending on your area of study, as the focus in social sciences will be different than that in environmental science or engineering.

Regardless of this, there are similar stages that you need to go through before you can be offered a place on the PhD programme.

In many cases, the PhD interview starts with a short presentation that you give in front of the interview panel. This will likely focus on your background and your PhD proposal. If you apply for a specific project, then the focus of your presentation will likely be on how do your knowledge and skills align with the scope of that specific project.

Once you are done with your presentation, which by the way is usually between 10 and 20 minutes, then the panel members will start asking you the interview questions.

These questions aim to help the panel assess your:

understanding of what a PhD degree is about and what’s required to successfully complete a PhD
current skills and knowledge and your ability to further develop your academic and technical skills
ability to manage projects under uncertainty
understanding of novelty and original research
understanding of what being a PhD student means and how demanding it is
ability to deliver the research project within given time scale (and budget)

These are just a few areas that the PhD panel will quiz you about. But remember, this isn’t just about them asking you questions – you can also do so! If you want me the share the best PhD interview questions to ask as a prospective PhD candidate, please do let me know in the comments!.

PHD INTERVIEW QUESTIONS INTERVIEW SUPPORT COACHING

What are the most common PhD interview questions?

#1 why do you want to do a phd .

Having a clear reason why you want to do a PhD gives the prospective supervisor an indication that you’ve thought this decision through. You are, therefore, less likely to drop off. Regardless of whether you want to do a PhD because of the career path you chose, willingness to solve challenges, being a lecturer in the higher education sector or just for personal ambition, having a clear why makes your performance during the PhD interview much stronger.

#2 What motivates you to do a PhD?

Another benefit of having a clear why is the fact that you will have something to aspire to. This will provide a strong driving force for you to complete your PhD, regardless of the challenges that you may experience. Make sure you list all reasons why you want to do a PhD degree before you apply and keep this list with you in case you need to boost your motivation. This will help you convince the panel that you’re prepared to handle the uncertain circumstances of research.

#3 What makes you a good PhD candidate?

One of the most common PhD interview questions is asking you to tell the panel why you think you are fit to undertake a PhD research. Knowing your strengths and weaknesses is critical. You of course want to emphasise your strengths as much as possible during the interview, but you need to be ready to discuss how you are going to handle any weaknesses you may have, what further training you need during your grad school, and what other development needs you to have to put you on the academic career path.

how to perform well during phd interview

#4 What do you think PhD is about?

This is one of the first questions I ask every one of my prospective graduate students. Understanding what does PhD entails, in terms of scientific contribution and effort it takes, is critical to succeeding during your PhD interview. You need to know what you’re signing up for and you need to be prepared to work hard and smart to achieve impact with your work. It’s not only about having a good research proposal . PhD is primarily about advancing our knowledge and understanding of the world we live in. It’s challenging, it’s new, it’s uncertain – you need to be able to demonstrate that you’re able to handle this as a graduate student.

#5 What is one thing that is most important for you to successfully complete your PhD programme?

The panel is aware that research is uncertain and you may need to pivot as you go along with your work. But they may ask you about the most important question you think is necessary to help you successfully complete your PhD project. This PhD interview question is quite tricky because there isn’t a right and wrong answer. We are all different and the panel wants to verify how you’ll build on your strengths to deliver your project and impact.

phd interview coaching phd support interview support for researchers

#6 What experience do you have in this research field?

Although it isn’t always necessary to have direct experience in the field of the PhD you apply for, it will definitely help. The panel wants to verify your CV and how your past experience and education relate to the scope of your PhD. They want to make sure you have the fundamental understanding of the research area as this is crucial to success. So if your background is in social science but apply for PhD in environmental science, you need to be able to demonstrate that you’ve built a sufficient understanding of the PhD research field in another way.

#7 How your previous experience and skills will help you to deliver this project?

This is one of the interview questions that is rather asked to those who spent some time in their profession, rather than joining a graduate school straight after their Bachelor or Masters degree. This question asks you to demonstrate how you can leverage the hard and soft skills that you’ve already developed during your career to deliver a research project. The panel may also ask about the difference between the delivery of commercial and research projects at this point.

top phd interview questions you need to be ready

#8 How you can further build your skills to deliver this project?

You decided to join a grad school to further develop your skills. It isn’t only about delivering a breakthrough project, but also about developing you as an independent researcher. Therefore, you need to be able to reflect on your current skills and discuss what skills you need to succeed in graduate school. Also, think about how the faculty and supervisors can help you achieve this via additional training or mentoring.

#9 What is the novelty of your research project?

The success of your research proposal ultimately depends on the novelty it presents. Therefore, one of the most critical PhD interview questions is about the novelty of your work. Although you’ve already written your proposal, the panel may still ask you questions to further expand on your contribution to the existing body of research.

what panel asks during phd interview questions

#10 How did you come up with your project proposal?

Building on the previous question, the PhD panel can go one step further and ask you how you actually come up with your project proposal. To answer this question, you need to demonstrate an understanding of the current state-of-the-art, know the main discussions and challenges in your research field. I’m sure you’ve done some sort of literature review when preparing your research proposal.

If you’re still working on your proposal, make sure you check our approach to the literature review and research tools that can support you in the process.

If you’re having trouble coming up with new research ideas, make sure you check my article and webinar on preparing research proposals .

#11 Why this research project has not been done before?

This is one of my favourite PhD interview questions. It essentially asks why other researchers haven’t done this research yet. It allows you to demonstrate your understanding of the state-of-the-art and show your critical analysis skills. Make sure you know why the research questions weren’t answered yet. Is this because people aren’t aware of these? Or maybe there are limitations in the current approaches and you’re going to change this in your research project?

#12 What challenges do you expect to encounter in this project?

This interview question allows you to demonstrate your approach to project and risk management. Understanding what may go wrong will help you prepare better for the delivery of your project. Although you may not predict everything, it demonstrates to the panel that you understand that the PhD research is uncertain by nature.

#13 How do you deal with uncertainty and challenges?

Building on the question above, the PhD panel may actually ask you how you would handle the challenges and uncertainty in your research project. They don’t expect you to identify all challenges that you’ll experience. Rather they want to understand whether you’re able to realistically plan a research project and don’t overcommit yourself. Of course, having a clear project management plan helps with the project delivery, but it also significantly reduces the stress and anxiety associated with doing the PhD.

Some time ago I wrote h ow you can handle the uncertainty of research . Make sure you check it out.

#14 What are your career aspirations?

This question will help the PhD panel understand what career path you’d like to pursue after your PhD, whether that’s a career in higher education or industry. They want to make sure that the PhD will contribute towards building your skillset and knowledge to support your future career. Although you may want to get a PhD degree to satisfy your personal aspirations, in the majority of cases getting a doctorate is dictated by your career aspirations.

#15 Do you have any questions for me?

As in any kind of interview, once the panel stopped throwing their questions at you, they’ll ask whether you have any questions. I ALWAYS do this! Why? Although this isn’t a very difficult “question” to answer, it gives us, the panel, a significant amount of information.

If you are inquisitive about the research group, other projects, research environment, development opportunities and so on, this shows that you’re really interested in working with me. It also tells me that you’re willing to explore options and are not worried to ask questions – a skill that is CRUCIAL for all researchers. When you don’t ask any questions, this may leave a rather unfavourable impression. Therefore, make sure that you have a list of several questions that you want the panel to answer.

An interview is a crucial factor that helps the PhD panel decide whether to admit you onto their PhD degree or not. In addition to preparing a strong research proposal, you will need to demonstrate your skills, knowledge and understanding of PhD process to the panel comprising your prospective supervisor and other members of faculty.

I hope this article will give you an idea of how to prepare for a PhD interview. Here I included a list of the most difficult PhD interview questions so that you can get yourself ready.

But remember, this isn’t just about them asking you questions – you can also do so! If you want me the share the best PhD interview questions to ask as a prospective PhD candidate, please do let me know in the comments!.

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How to Answer 30 Popular Scholarship Interview Questions

What’s covered:.

Getting To Know You Questions
Questions About the Opportunity

Closing Remarks

Enter the collegevine scholarships.

When applying for college scholarships, you may be invited to interview if you make it past the initial screening round. The interview may feel nerve-wracking, but being offered one is great news!

Not sure how to prepare? Here are 30 popular scholarship interview questions and example answers to help you to think about your responses. Use these examples as a stepping stone for brainstorming and drafting your own unique responses. You can apply this same formula to many other scholarship interview questions as well.

Getting to Know You Questions

1. tell us about yourself..

This is the most popular among all scholarship interview questions. It’s often used to “warm up” the interviewee. It’s also a very general question that can cause those unprepared to answer to ramble or waffle in their response.

A good answer is concise, provides a brief bio, and highlights why you’re the right person for the scholarship. Use your answer as an opportunity to spotlight the achievements, personality traits, skills, and experiences that make you an ideal candidate for the scholarship.

Example: I’m a sophomore at Carlsbad High School. I’ve been passionate about technology and its impact on human life since my early childhood days. Over the past few years, with the help of my parents and teachers, I managed to explore this passion by taking extra courses in programming languages such as C++, Android app development, and graphic design. My hobby is to help fellow students with their Android apps and program games for them.

See more examples in our guide about responding to “tell me about yourself” in college interviews .

2. Were you involved in any activities at school or in your community?

Interviewers use this question to better know an interviewee’s interests outside of their application and gain an understanding of their involvement at school and in the greater community.

This interview question is great for students with leadership roles, providing them an opportunity to talk about their experiences and involvement in clubs or sports. It’s also a chance to talk about how you contribute to your community or help people in need.

Example: I’m the editor of our school newspaper. As an editor, I manage other students who write articles for the paper and come up with topic ideas. Additionally, I’m a member of the swim team and volunteer at the historical society. I enjoy having a balance between physical, intellectual, and community activities because they keep me active in different ways.

3. Tell us about your greatest strength and greatest weakness.

Interviewers love this question, as it allows them to judge your self-awareness, honesty, and interest in personal growth. When talking about your strengths, prioritize quality over quantity and focus on two or three attributes that are relevant to the scholarship. Stories are more memorable than generalizations, so share examples of how you demonstrate your best characteristics.

It can help to reframe the second half of this question—instead of thinking of areas of weakness, they’re opportunities for improvement. No one is perfect, but you’re conscious of the areas in which you struggle and are taking steps to improve. It’s especially important to avoid cliches when responding to this question; you don’t want to be the 1,000th student to answer “I’m a perfectionist.”

Example: My greatest strength is that I can prioritize what needs to be done first today and which tasks can wait until tomorrow. Because of this, I’m efficient with my time management and able to succeed in both school and extracurricular activities. However, my greatest weakness is that I can become too focused on one task and forget about other assignments or projects which need attention. I’ve been working on this by setting reminders in my calendar throughout the day.

4. Tell us something about yourself that no one else knows.

This is another question designed to allow the interviewer to better get to know you and while it’s a personal question, it’s important to avoid sharing anything too personal or sensitive. Focus on something unique and interesting about yourself—such as an accomplishment, hobby, talent, interest, or experience—that makes you stand out from other applicants.

Example: I am proficient in sign language. This has always been a passion of mine and I wish to work with children in a clinical setting who are deaf or hard of hearing one day. I have studied sign language throughout high school and I plan to continue learning at university so that I can interact with these children without any language barrier.

5. How would you describe yourself?

This question allows interviewers to get to know you better as a person, understand how you perceive yourself, and gain further insight into your personality. Highlight the traits that are relevant to the scholarship and call attention to any relevant skills. This question is a great opportunity for students who might not have extracurricular activities related to the scholarship but have qualities that align with the scholarship.

Example: I believe my positive attitude and ability to work in a team environment contribute to my character. In my part-time job, I lead a team of baristas at my local café. The role is equal parts delegating tasks and ensuring customer satisfaction. My enthusiasm for coffee and my ability to operate in a collaborative environment left an impression of optimism on both my coworkers and customers. Regulars have even acknowledged that they visit my café specifically because of the happy atmosphere I create.

6. What are your biggest accomplishments?

This question allows interviewers to learn about your achievements while also gaining insight into your ability to set goals and achieve them. It’s a great chance for you to brag about yourself a little bit as well.

Bring up something that makes you stand out from other students, especially if it’s related to the scholarship you’re applying for! Whether it’s winning awards or competitions, being president of an organization, graduating at the top of your class, or anything else that enhances your application.

The STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) Method provides a great structure for responding to this question: provide specific details about the situation, the task or challenges you faced, the actions you took, and the results you achieved.

Example: I noticed that my high school created a lot of food waste, so I helped implement a composting program that used students’ leftovers as fertilizer for the school garden. We faced a lot of pushback at first from the school board, as they weren’t familiar with the environmental benefits of composting. After speaking at three board meetings, I was given permission to start the program. Our cafeteria was recognized by the food services director who wanted to take this idea and implement it system-wide. My team and I were then given special permission to start a “Garden Club” where we could continue to grow fresh vegetables for our peers. Since then, five additional high schools have followed suit.

7. Describe your biggest mistake.

How you respond to this question informs interviewers about your ability to take responsibility for your actions and how you learn from your mistakes. Rather than trying to appear perfect, use this opportunity to show that you can own up to your errors, learn from them, and take steps to ensure you don’t repeat them. Here, again, the STAR Method provides an outline for composing a strong answer.

Example: In my sophomore year of high school, my brother and I switched schools. My brother has always been the outgoing one and never had trouble making friends, so I failed to recognize that he was actually going through a hard transition. I had gotten so busy with my new activities that I didn’t read too much into his increased moodiness and time spent alone in his room. It was only when we got into an argument that he revealed how lonely he’d been feeling. Now, I make it a point to be more sensitive to the feelings of my friends and family, and to try to check in more regularly. I actually now have a weekly scheduled hangout with my brother where we go on a random adventure and talk about life. Last week, we went geocaching!

8. Tell me about your leadership experience.

Interviewers use this question to gauge how you build and maintain relationships, how you work with others, and how you motivate them to get something done. Highlight a time when you had to lead a team or group and how you inspired them to achieve a goal. Remember stories are more memorable than statements, so paint a detailed picture and avoid generalizations.

Example: As one of the co-presidents for my high school’s Amnesty International club , I organized and supervised the organization of all meetings and events that we attend to raise awareness about social justice topics such as refugees or endangered species. When I first joined the group, it was relatively inactive and focused mostly on letter-writing campaigns. However, in the wake of George Floyd, I rallied the group to become more involved with the Black Lives Matter movement. We attended events and reached out to local politicians to call attention to racial inequality in our community. This experience has taught me how to effectively manage a team, rally a diverse group around an issue, and organize efforts to effect change.

Do you have enough leadership experience to get accepted to your top school? Calculate your chances for free now .

9. What is your favorite book and why?

This question is asking you to show your personality and interests. It aims to get a sense of who you are so they can determine if you would be a good fit for the scholarship. Share a book that you enjoy, are comfortable talking about, is substantive enough that you can explain its importance, and aligns with your interests and passions.

Avoid choosing a book that you think will impress your interviewer—it can come off as insincere.

Example: My favorite book is Finding You by Lydia Albano. The main character, Isla, is sold into slavery, and at first, she hopes that someone from her past will come to rescue her. She doesn’t think she can escape because she’s small and not very strong. But in the end, she actually winds up saving a bunch of other girls when she creates an escape plan for them. I like this book because I would also like to work to end human trafficking. Like Isla, sometimes I feel like I can’t do anything to help, but she gives me the courage to try.

10. What subject is your favorite in school?

This is another question where you want to show your personality more than just listing off random facts about yourself. You should choose a subject that relates to the scholarship and/or one you are passionate about. You can mention how this subject makes you excited, why it’s important for you to study it, etc. Your answer demonstrates your interest in learning and in taking your education further.

Example: My favorite subject is history because I find it interesting to study how people interacted with one another over time. It’s refreshing seeing different perspectives of different cultures and studying significant historical figures. I hope to one day become a lawyer, and I know that studying history will give me the perspective, research experience, and writing skills needed to succeed.

11. What is your dream job?

This question allows the interviewer to gain a better understanding of your goals and ambitions. The position doesn’t need to be overly specific but should reflect the skills and responsibilities you hope to use. It also should tie in with the scholarship.

Example: My dream job is to work in the media industry as a producer or editor. I am passionate about sharing people’s stories and would love to brainstorm ways that we could create more awareness through reporting. This career would allow me to use my creativity to positively influence others.

12. What is a meaningful experience or class you’ve had in school?

This is a more advanced version of the question asking you about your favorite subject. Its intent is to learn how coursework has shaped your interests and shown you new perspectives on certain topics.

Example: In my senior year of high school, I took a course on Media and Society. I specifically recall the final essay assignment where we had to compare two different media elements. Analyzing the portrayal of women in video game advertisements was my topic for this project. At first, I was really nervous about the topic; would I offend some friends within my gaming circle? I didn’t want to seem like an overly sensitive female gamer. But, doing the research provided me with a better understanding of how women are often objectified in advertising, and after talking to my friends, they ended up being really supportive of my project and we have since become more aware of the kinds of media we’re consuming.

13. Who do you look up to? Who is your role model?

The expectation of this question is to see which qualities you admire, what inspires you, and who has shaped your interests or helped you become who you are today. This could be a public figure, teacher, mentor, family member, friend—really anyone. Your answer should demonstrate your values and align with the values of the scholarship.

Example: I admire Amelia Earhart because she was a women’s rights activist and broke social barriers by being the first woman to fly across the Atlantic Ocean. She was able to pursue what she wanted despite harsh criticism, which helps me feel more empowered to follow my own dreams.

14. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

This is a question to learn about your future aspirations and goals. It’s also an opportunity to show the scholarship committee that you are ready for college and beyond. You want your answer to demonstrate that you have a plan moving forward; it doesn’t have to be super specific or set in stone, but you should have an idea of what you hope to achieve. You’ll also want to speak to how the scholarship fits into your future goals.

Example: In five years, I plan to have graduated college with a degree in economics and have landed a job in financial planning where I can put both my analytical and people skills to work. I’m passionate about helping people make informed financial decisions and meeting their personal goals and this scholarship will help me gain the education I need to pursue a career in the field.

15. How do you define failure?

This question is meant to see how you respond when faced with a challenge and gain insight into your problem-solving skills. It is important not to simply say that failure means giving up, as this will show that you lack initiative and drive. The best way to answer this question is by using personal experience, demonstrating what you learned from it and how you’ve used the lessons for self-improvement.

Example: I define failure as a missed opportunity. When I first began to play rugby during my freshman year of high school, I quickly realized that our team was not very strong. At times, it felt like we were bound to lose every game. But rather than letting this bring me down, I saw the season as a chance for me to try my hardest and become an impact player on the field. As the years went by, I continued to improve and our team grew closer together. Our losses began to transform into opportunities for growth, and by senior year, I was nominated captain. I had done everything in my power to make sure my teammates succeeded—even though it meant that on the scoreboard we would inevitably lose more than we won.

16. How do you manage stress?

This question seeks to determine how you deal with difficult situations. It’s common for students to respond that they like to focus on what is happening in the present moment, but this answer will show that you do not have a strategy for coping with stressors. A better way to answer would be by mentioning a specific skill or habit that you have developed over time. Make your answer memorable by citing a specific example of a stressful time and how you handled it.

Example: Last fall I was feeling particularly taxed—I was taking two AP courses, studying for the SAT, playing varsity soccer, and preparing to apply to college. I felt a lot of pressure to get everything done and it was overwhelming. I’m a very organized person, and when I have a lot of work to do, I break it down into manageable tasks. Seeing everything that needs to be done in one sitting can be exasperating for me, but if I give myself smaller goals to meet each day then it all becomes more manageable.

17. Tell me about a time you overcame adversity.

Interviewers ask this question for a variety of reasons, including learning about your problem-solving, creative thinking, and resourcefulness. It’s also a chance to gauge your resilience and determination. A strong answer highlights something that was difficult for you, the steps you took to meet the challenge, and how the experience would help you handle adversity you might face in the future. People remember details, so be specific.

Example: Many of my friends love playing sports and were busy much of the year with after-school practices. Unfortunately, I’m not particularly athletic. I tried out for the football team but failed to make it because I didn’t have enough experience. Instead of feeling sorry for myself, I decided to join the swim team and began training with one of the best swimmers in school. She allowed me to shadow her until she felt that my technique was on par with the rest of her team. By the end of my sophomore year, I qualified for state-level tournaments!

18. What motivates you?

This question is usually asked to see what motivates you to do your best, but more importantly, provides you with a chance to show off the positive aspects of your personality. Your answers should focus on something that aligns with the scholarship—was there something that jumped off the screen/page when you read about it? Equally important to what you say is how you say it; make sure your answer is positive and enthusiastic.

Example: Curiosity is my main motivator. I love learning new things, and I am constantly trying to figure out how things work—I attended a JAVA camp last summer just to learn more about how video games are designed. This scholarship will allow me to further explore coding and help satiate my natural curiosity.

19. Tell me about a time when you didn’t agree with an authority’s decision.

This question aims to gain insight into how you think through tough situations and is a test of your maturity. The interviewer wants to know if you are able to provide constructive feedback and what your approach would be when taking a stand against an unpopular decision.

Example: I was extremely disappointed when the school board decided not to purchase new science textbooks for our school library. While it made sense to save money, I decided that I needed to write a letter about my concerns. By explaining how this would impact the students’ discovery of new ideas and knowledge, I was able to convince my classmates to join me in signing an online petition. Luckily, they agreed with my perspective and the school board changed their decision.

20. Tell me about a time when you went above and beyond on a task.

This question is meant to see your dedication, motivation, and work ethic. A good answer will highlight a specific attribute you want to call attention to and use an example of a time you went beyond what was required to convey that attribute. While it’s tempting to talk about a big accomplishment, it’s important the story also focuses on a time you did more than you needed to. As always, include a specific example!

Example: Over the past two years, I’ve worked in my hometown library. While I always make sure that each day’s work gets done in a timely manner, I also try to go the extra mile. If someone comes in looking for help with an assignment, if possible, I stay late with them until everything is complete. It’s super fulfilling. I even had one of the students I’ve helped come in to tell me she’d improved her math grade from a C to a B+!

21. How would you describe a good school environment?

This is a question that allows you to visualize your ideal environment, and what your priorities would be if you were in charge. It’s also a way for interviewers to learn about your personality and preferences. If an interviewer asks this question, it may mean that they are trying to figure out if you would fit into the scholarship’s culture.

Example: I think the most important thing about school is being able to personalize your learning. I’m looking for a place where I can learn the specifics of my field, but also have the freedom to pursue different ways of learning. For example, in my Spanish class, we were learning about language and identity, and we had to write a paper analyzing the specific works we studied at the end. I asked my teacher if I could instead write a personal paper about my experiences with language and identity while incorporating the works. This reflection was super meaningful to me as a Mexican-American student. I want to attend a school where this sort of academic freedom is the norm.

22. Tell me about a personal achievement that makes you proud.

This question is meant to see what makes you proud in life and how you define success. Answering this question provides an excellent opportunity to brag about a big accomplishment and spotlight scholarship-related qualities, like perseverance and problem-solving. Make sure to credit those who helped you along the way and share what you learned from the experience. Let the interviewer know that you’re setting the bar high, not just coasting along.

Example: During my senior year, I helped plan out our high school’s first mock trial event. The debate team had been around since my freshman year, but they never considered a mock trial until my graduating year. I wanted to make a good first impression on the debate team since I intended to become team captain. To show my commitment, I volunteered to be a co-lead coordinator for our team which meant I helped recruit participants, organized our plan of action, and was one of the main points of contact for our group before and during the mock trial. Thanks to the efforts of everyone, the competition turned out to be a huge success, and it helped our high school stand out as one of the top debate schools in the Midwest. After that, I was asked to become the captain of the debate team.

23. Describe your personality in three words.

The interviewer is looking for a glimpse of your personality, to understand how you view yourself, and to see if you’re a good fit for the scholarship. Make sure to concentrate on your unique talents and skills in your response and avoid jargon along with irrelevant and pretentious words.

Example: I would say that I am resourceful, creative, and proactive. I have a way of finding solutions to problems, even when the answer isn’t clear. I believe in tackling challenges head-on and am willing to think outside of the box for solutions.

24. How do you start a project?

This question is meant to determine your process for getting something done. The interviewer wants to know if you are organized or just jumping into things.

Example: I start by making a list of all the things that need to be done. Then, I research everything there is on this topic to make sure that the project is feasible. Once I am satisfied with my amount of knowledge, I make an outline for myself before I begin anything else.

25. How did you choose your major?

Interviewers use this question to learn about your passions and interests. When answering, try to align your major to the scholarship. Highlight the attributes of the major you’re excited about but steer clear of talking about money. For example, engineering might be a lucrative major, but talking about it isn’t likely to score you any points. As always, specific examples and stories are more compelling than generalizations.

Example: My father is a doctor and my mother is a nurse, but when they were young, they were both teachers. They taught me that education is the foundation for everything, so I’ve always taken school seriously, and I especially enjoyed my science classes. I initially didn’t want to go into healthcare because I didn’t want to just “follow in the footsteps” of my parents, but after shadowing a doctor for a day, I realized that the field was right for me since it combines education with helping others. I don’t want to be a doctor or nurse like my parents, but I hope to be a biomedical engineer to help build innovative technologies and be a lifelong learner.

Questions About The Opportunity

While scholarship interviews will largely be about you, it’s common for them to also ask about the opportunity itself. Take a proactive approach and prepare yourself to answer questions about the scholarship.

26. Why did you choose to apply for this scholarship?

This question is designed to gauge your interest in the scholarship and your fit with it. Share specifics of what excites you about the scholarship and how it aligns with your college and future goals. Keep your answer positive and focus on the best aspects of the scholarship.

Example: I chose to apply to the Davis-Putter Scholarship because I’ve always been passionate about political activism. Throughout high school, I was active in the fight for women’s rights, particularly reproductive rights. I organized an event at the state capital in support of women’s rights, coordinated a letter-writing campaign at my school to encourage our local elected officials, and created and distributed a list of candidates coming up for election and their stances on women’s rights issues. I’m excited to use this scholarship to learn more about the causes I’m passionate about, meet other organizers, and help make the world a fairer, more equitable place.

27. Why should you be the one to receive this scholarship?

It’s sometimes easier to reposition this question to what makes you unique. Scholarships can receive hundreds, even thousands, of applications—so what makes you stand out and more deserving than other applicants? This is your chance to make a case for yourself and show the interviewer why you’re the right person for the award; link it to your passions, tie it to your skills, and show the positive effect the funds will have.

Example: I am applying for this scholarship because I believe my work ethic and determination make me an excellent candidate. Last year, I helped organize the high school student council’s first blood drive in our county, which was a big success with a 100% participation rate and inspired me to do more community-focused work. This scholarship will help me acquire the education I need to pursue a career in public service.

28. How will you use the scholarship money?

This question is to make sure the scholarship will go to good use. The interviewer wants to know if you are serious about the scholarship application and will represent the scholarship sponsor in a positive light. Have a budget prepared and highlight how you’ll use the funds to further your education. If you don’t have a plan, it will be difficult for the scholarship to believe that this scholarship will be beneficial to either party.

Example: I would use this money toward my bachelor’s degree in sociology with a specialization in gerontology. Furthermore, I would use this opportunity to shadow a gerontologist and volunteer at a nursing home so that I could gain more insight into this field. Having this scholarship would allow me to worry less about finding a paid job to fund unpaid internships or shadowing opportunities and would allow me to focus more on my studies.

How you end an interview can have an enormous influence on your odds of winning an award. The goal is to leave your interviewer confident in your personality, skills, qualifications, and fit for the scholarship.

29. What questions do you have for me?

The interviewer is looking for you to display interest in the program by asking questions. Your response should be tailored to your particular interests and any concerns that you may have had throughout this interview. This is also a great chance to engage your interviewer with questions focused on their experience with the scholarship.

Examples: What was your favorite part of the scholarship program? What characteristics, goals, or accomplishments of the scholarship are you most proud of? What do students say is the best part of this program? What are the former scholarship recipients doing now, particularly those in the fields I’m interested in?

30. Is there anything else you’d like to add?

It is crucial to show the interviewer that you are serious about this program. This question gives you an opportunity to make any additional points or highlight anything that you may have not covered in your response beforehand. If you have something relevant to share that didn’t come up naturally in the interview, this is the time to mention it.

Example: I believe that I am an ideal candidate for this program because my educational background, passions, and future plans align with what this program has to offer. I am excited to be a part of this program and I look forward to hearing from you.

CollegeVine provides a quarterly, no-essay scholarship of $2,000. To sign up, all you have to do is create a free account, which allows you to see your chances of acceptance at 1,600+ schools, get your essays reviewed by a peer, ask questions in our community forum, and more. If you already have an account, just make sure your chancing profile is filled out.

Awards are paid out directly to students to help them cover any educational costs. Learn more about the CollegeVine scholarships .

BRIGHTMIND AI

PhD Scholarship Interview Questions & Answers

Achieving Success: Navigating PhD Scholarship Interviews

Getting invited for a PhD scholarship interview is a big step in your academic journey. At BrightMindAI.com, we understand that these interviews can be challenging, especially when it comes to talking about your research interests and ideas. That’s why we’ve put together this guide to help you understand and answer common questions, using simple words that are easy to understand for students who might not speak English as their first language. PhD scholarship interviews cover different topics, like your studies, your plans for research, and what you want to achieve. Here’s how you can answer questions about these topics in a simple way:

PhD scholarship interviews cover different topics, like your studies, your plans for research, and what you want to achieve. Here’s how you can answer questions about these topics in a simple way:

1- Your Studies and Research

Question: Can you talk about what you’ve studied and any research you’ve done? Tip : Share what you’ve learned in your studies and any projects you’ve worked on. Explain how these experiences have helped you become better at what you do.

2. Your Goals for Research

Question : What do you want to research, and why? Tip : Tell them what you’re interested in studying and why it matters. You can talk about how you want to learn more about a topic and how it could help others in the future.

3. Why You Picked This Program and School

Question : Why do you want to study here? Tip : Explain why you chose this school and program. Talk about what makes it special and how it can help you reach your goals

4. Sharing Your Research and Working with Others

Question : How will you share your research with others? Tip : Describe how you’ll share what you learn with others, like writing papers or giving talks. Talk about how you’ll work with other students and professors too.

5. Dealing with Challenges and Your Past Experiences

Question : Have you ever faced a big challenge? How did you handle it? Tip : Share a time when things were tough and how you got through it. Explain what you learned from the experience and how it made you stronger.

6. Your Field of Interest and Bringing Research Ideas

Question : What do you want to study in your field? Tip : Talk about what you’re curious about in your field of study. As for bringing research ideas, you don’t have to prepare something specific. Just say you want to learn more about what’s already being studied and build on that if you get the scholarship.

Final Thoughts

As you get ready for your PhD scholarship interview, remember to keep your answers simple and clear. Talk about what you know and what you want to learn. With practice and preparation, you’ll be ready to impress the interviewers and get the scholarship you’re after.

For more tips and resources on scholarship interviews, visit BrightMindAI.com and share this helpful guide with your friends!

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Sample scholarship interview questions at graduate level

Congratulation on your first success of getting a scholarship interview! Search committee have been impressed with your written applications and like to know more about you in a scholarship interview. Careful preparation for the scholarship interview questions will help you overcoming nervousness and be your best at the interview.

Scholarship interview committees will ask questions tailored to the specific scholarship positions. Get yourself familiar with following sample scholarship interview questions.

Tell me about yourself, your background and interests. How did you come to be the person you are today?
How did you become interested in your major? What was the main influence ?
How did you become interested in your focus area?
Why do you think this school will be a good fit for you?
What sorts of problems do you like to solve? Why?
What are your strengths? Weaknesses?
Describe your ideal supervisor?
Give an example of a time you’ve been thrown into a new, uncomfortable situation. Why was it uncomfortable? Why you were / were not success ?
How adaptable are you? Give an example for it.
What do you do for fun? What do you do in your spare time?
What does it mean to be an intellectual? A leader? An inventor?
Describe an activity that you have been involved in that best demonstrates your leadership or analytical skills.
What ethical issues confront students?
What was your favorite class? Least favorite?
What historical figure appeals to you most?
Can you think of an example where a public figure deliberately chose not to be a good citizen in order to be a good person?
What do you think is the biggest problem facing your hometown? The United States (or the country you want to apply to)? The global community?
Whom do you admire most in science? Art? Music? Politics? International Relations? Business? Engineering? Medicine? Veterinary Science? The field is related to the position you are applying for.
What was, for you, the most fascinating news story this week/month/year?
How do you want to become in 10 years?
What are your educational/academic goals? What are your future career plans? How do you plan to use your studies to achieve your future career plans?
What would you change about your high school experience? About your resume? Your application?
What question would you most like to be asked?
What makes you an ideal candidate for this opportunity?
What do you hope to accomplish while at graduate school?
What will you do with your degree in the long run?
Why will this scholarship help you in your career goals?
What would you do if you didn't receive the fellowship?
Do you have anything to add? What single thing would you want us to remember most about you?
Do you have questions for us?

Imperial College London Imperial College London

MSc + PhD Departmental Scholarships for Women 2024

Scholarship overview, degree level.

Postgraduate taught

Home or Overseas tuition fees and stipend

Number of awards

Academic year, tuition fee status.

Home, Overseas

Mode of study

Available to.

Prospective students

Application deadline

Additional information.

Scholarship page

[email protected]

Available to applicants in the following departments

Earth Science and Engineering

Eligibility criteria

Please note: This scholarship is not available to continuing students.

Course specific information

Application process.

MSc Applied Computational Science and Engineering - Ying Ashton ([email protected])

MSc Environmental Data Science and Machine Learning - Ying Ashton ([email protected]

MSc Geo-Energy with Machine Learning and Data Science - Sophie Pirouet ([email protected])

To be considered for a Scholarship for one of the above MSc programmes in academic year 2024-25, please:

Apply for the course via the Imperial College MSc graduate course admissions process by 7 June 2024;

Request the online application form from the appropriate course contact above;

In addition to the application form you will receive a link/list providing names of prospective supervisor(s) (you can select up to 2) along with possible project topics. You must contact your prospective supervisor(s) directly as you are required as part of this application process to provide a personal statement about your motivation to do a PhD.

If you have any additional questions, please contact us at [email protected] .

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New Certificate Program

Llewellyn John and Harriet Manchester Quantrell Awards

Fred chong, the seymour goodman professor in the department of computer science.

Fred Chong’s love of computer science started at an early age, when he immersed himself in the “power of creation” possible with coding.

As an undergraduate student at MIT, where he completed his graduate education, he was captivated by computer architecture, recognizing how the intricate design of the underlying machinery—composed of wires and transistors—enabled the execution of digital logic essential for powering his creations.

In a graduate course on silicon chip design, he gained insight into the construction and spatial arrangement of these components, understanding their impact on performance, cost, and energy consumption.

“It turns out that this spatial view of technology gives the core intuition of why even today's machine designs have a certain speed, cost, and energy consumption – essentially, the smaller the better,” he said.

He now teaches Quantum Computer Systems and Computer Architecture, and has taught Honors Introduction to Computer Science. The University of Chicago marks Chong’s third institution as an instructor, and while he has cherished each experience thus far, he said the learning environment at UChicago is unique.

“The truly exceptional and curious students, coupled with small class sizes, allow me to go deeper into very advanced topics,” Chong said. “Perhaps my favorite part comes from student questions. After 28 years of teaching, I can still get questions that surprise me and make me rethink some of the fundamentals of my field.”

Chong’s courses and research are centrally about understanding the trends in technology and shaping the future of computing. On the last day of class, he typically gives a lecture on some of these trends, and some of the more visionary ideas emerging in the future.

“For the last 10 years or so, this last lecture has focused a bit on quantum computing, which could potentially solve problems that are unsolvable by classical computers,” he said. “If I were to distill this down to a message, it would be to "think outside of the box and be open to what is currently impossible.”

Anton Ford, Associate Professor in the Department of Philosophy

When Anton Ford was in high school, he found a steamer trunk in the basement of his house that contained his parents’ books from college. He spread them on the floor and took the most appealing for himself.

As he recalls, the trunk had a wide variety of books: novels, poetry, history and sociology books, political texts and philosophy books. He said he remembers reading some Platonic dialogues, and developing an interest in Emerson and Nieztsche.

“My tastes have matured,” he said. “But that was my first encounter with philosophy, on the floor of the basement of my childhood home. The trunk itself came to have a sentimental value for me. I brought it with me to college, then to graduate school, and then to my first job, here, at the University of Chicago.”

Ford joined the faculty at UChicago in 2007, and is now an associate professor in philosophy with areas of special interest in Anscombe, Aristotle and Marx. In his classroom, Ford's approach aligns closely with the UChicago ethos of teaching how to think, not what to think.

On the last day of class, he said he hopes his students will leave not so much with a message as with a set of intellectual tools for thinking about the world they will be stepping into.

“The philosophers whose work I tend to teach are systematic thinkers,” he said. “One thing about a system of thought is that it can help one to see the connection between things. Another is that it provides one with intellectual orientation in an infinite variety of new circumstances.”

Through his teaching, Ford aims to empower his students to navigate a transitional phase in their lives with clarity and purpose.

“College is a pivotal moment in life, a point between academic and professional paths,” he said. “Depending on who one happens to meet, what interests one develops, what one encounters in class, what is happening in the world—and much else—one’s future trajectory could change very radically. Not every period of life is like that. Nothing in particular follows from the fact that this is a pivotal moment. But the fact is worth bearing in mind.”

Michele Friedner, Professor in the Department of Comparative Human Development

On her first day of class as an undergraduate in an introduction to Indian religions course, Michele Friedner’s professor insisted that her students look closely at the craters on the moon, and identify the shape of a rabbit — and that they had to keep looking for it until they found it.

The professor used this tactic to encourage her students to try to see things differently from how they appear at surface level, and it resonated with Friedner.

“I loved looking for the rabbit and then finally finding it,” she said. “I never look at the moon the same way anymore. And this is what I want my students to do, too – to learn different ways of seeing and experiencing taken-for-granted objects, processes and practices.”

Now a professor of comparative human development in the College, Friedner said she is not afraid to emulate that same level of “playfulness” when interacting with her students.

“Often, I ask a question that I have not fully formed and that I am still thinking through. I want them to be able to articulate things that are not fully formed while also being aware of the stakes of what we are reading and discussing,” she said.

Friedner teaches courses in disability anthropology and sensory anthropology, as well as classes in the Self, Culture and Society Core sequence. She also teaches a course in the “Big Problems” Curriculum, elective capstone experiences designated for third- and fourth-year students, alongside Jennifer Iverson in the Department of Music, called “Disability and Design” The course involves working with scholars and activists at the forefront of its eponymous fields.

For their final projects, students design a fully accessible policy, playground, restaurant, job interview guide, children’s book and more. Friedner says the course is “wonderful and invigorating” to teach.

“I love teaching disability studies-related courses at UChicago because the students are genuinely excited to consider questions and theories around disability and to grapple with complex embodiments,” she said. “They especially find it useful to reflect upon their own experiences at UChicago and beyond through the lens of disability theory.”

Nicholas Hatsopoulos, Professor in the Department of Organismal Biology and Anatomy

Nicholas Hatsopoulos teaches a course titled "Neuroscience of Consciousness," delving into a subject that has intrigued him since his undergraduate days, when he minored in philosophy.

He has always been fascinated by questions surrounding free will, which propelled him into this field of study. Though consciousness is not his primary area of research as a neuroscience professor, Hatsopoulos said he finds immense joy in engaging with his students and the lively discussions that ensue during his lectures.

“I love the interactions I have with the students and all the questions they ask during my lectures,” he said. “The students here are really smart and inquisitive. They genuinely want to learn and not just get a good grade."

Hatsopoulos fosters an environment of active participation in his classroom. He encourages interruptions and questions, believing that dialogue is essential for deep learning. If he doesn’t know the answer to a question, he is not afraid to say he doesn’t know but says he’ll try to get an answer by the next class.

He assigns students the task of critiquing two papers they read each week, promptly discussing some of the submissions in the following class. Throughout the course, debates on consciousness-related topics stimulate further exploration and critical thinking.

“I want them to interrupt me and ask questions,” he said. "The message I give them at the beginning of the course is telling them that we won't ultimately answer the question as to how consciousness arises from the brain, but hopefully they will learn about some of the experiments and theories and learn some neuroscience in the process.”

Chris Kennedy, Professor in the Department of Linguistics

Chris Kennedy, who has been teaching linguistics at UChicago for nearly 20 years, wasn’t planning to become a linguist.

“I was living in Austin, Texas, playing bass in a punk band,” he remembers. “I had a horrible case of poison ivy one summer and was stuck inside. I asked my now wife/then girlfriend to grab me a book by Noam Chomsky from the Austin Public Library. She brought me a copy of ‘Syntactic Structures,’ and I was hooked.”

In the Department of Linguistics, Kennedy teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in semantics and pragmatics, and the occasional course in syntax. He also helped design and is the faculty director for the new cognitive science major, for which he teaches the two foundational courses alongside instructors in the Psychology Department. He also teaches in the Philosophical Perspectives humanities sequence.

Kennedy says he appreciates UChicago students’ passion for the “acquisition of knowledge,” which he incorporates into his own teaching approach.

“I like to approach my classes with the idea that I am learning the material alongside the students, approaching it from a position of discovery rather than presenting it from a position of authority,” said Kennedy. “Much of the time, this is literally true, because I've found that the best way for me to really understand new ideas, especially from areas outside my own expertise, is by working through them in a classroom full of University of Chicago students. And even when I teach a class on something I’m very familiar with, I like to start from some basic assumptions and then, together with the students, build up the theory from scratch.”

Kennedy threw himself into new material as an undergraduate student and said his curiosity has been a major influence in his career. He recalls coursework in religion and archeology, as well as his primary undergraduate major in Russian language and literature, as formative educational experiences even though they were quite different from the field he works in today.

“Whenever a student asks me what they should study, I say: ‘It doesn’t matter. What matters is that you find the best teachers, and do different things,’” he said.

Faculty Awards for Excellence in PhD Teaching and Mentoring

Marcus clark, professor in the department of medicine.

Marcus Clark is fond of telling people that he loves his work. “My job is really an amalgam of hobbies, the things that I like to do. I just happen to get paid for them.”

As chief of the Section of Rheumatology in the Department of Medicine and director of the Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP), an NIH-funded training program that pairs medical degrees with PhDs in the biological or physical sciences, he has his hands full. But rather than embracing the role of an administrator, he prefers a hands-on approach to mentoring the next generation of physician-scientists.

“I really get to know each incoming class, what they’re interested in and what their strengths are. I think that the personal touch elevates you from being just an administrator and shows them how to work like a scientist,” he said.

Clark individually mentors, advises and counsels each of the roughly 80 students in the MSTP, making a point to meet them where they are and challenging them to reach their potential how they define it—not according to a predetermined plan. He provides guidance, but not solutions—a “teach a man to fish” philosophy that makes students feel empowered in their career choices. He credits this ability to having been there before, building his own career researching immune system functions and treating patients with psoriatic arthritis and lupus.

“I think I have a good sense of where a student needs to be and how their personal journey can get them there,” he said. “I feel like I’ve done enough in my own career that I can give the students a little bit more space and think about them more. It helps me be like a proud dad in a way. I just want to see them do well.”

Mikhail Golosov, the Homer J. Livingston Professor in Economics and the College

As a graduate student, Mikhail Golosov remembers having tea with his advisor, economist Larry Jones, after a particularly brutal presentation. They talked for hours. As Golosov calmed down, he was able to spot the weaknesses in his research.

“Now, it's probably one of my most famous papers,” Golosov said. “For me, that focus on well-being played a huge role in graduate school.”

Using his own mentors as a model, Golosov’s approach to advising is twofold—guiding students through difficult research questions as well as helping manage the anxieties that might crop up because of them.

“When you start, there is so much uncertainty,” Golosov said. “You don’t know much about research; you don’t know if you’re good at it.”

After taking Golosov’s public finance course, one student was inspired to pursue a related research topic using an unfamiliar methodology.

“Without Mikhail Golosov’s patience, guidance and intelligence, I could not have pursued this project,” the student wrote. “He carefully considers each and every question without prejudice, demystifies the process of research and expresses empathy on its exciting, but frightening uncertainties."

As director of Graduate Studies, Golosov meets with student representatives from each Ph.D. cohort to hear their concerns. If he has the power to make students’ experiences better, Golosov simply will—whether that’s arranging for an accommodation or mediating between faculty and students.

“There are little things we can do that don’t require that much effort that could improve the life of graduate students a lot,” Golosov said. “Whenever I come across them, it gives me a lot of satisfaction.”

“It is rare for a scholar of his stature to demonstrate such a deep commitment to each student's success,” wrote another student. “My growth as an economist and as a member of the academic community is largely attributable to Mike’s influence.”

Sidney Nagel, the Stein-Freiler Distinguished Service Professor of Physics and the College

In Sidney Nagel’s laboratory, graduate students are learning to be physicists—to ask a question about the world no one has yet been able to answer, and then design a way to answer it. It’s not easy, but it is rewarding.

“I want to make sure they understand that doing physics is hard, but that it’s also hard for me, even as long as I’ve been doing it,” Nagel said. “To fight through the ideas to get something crisp and clean at the end is a challenge every time. But we are working on these things together.”

The “joy of common striving,” as Nagel puts it, is the theme that runs through the lab. A former student wrote that Nagel, and other more experienced Ph.D. students in the laboratory, “readily dedicated hours to guide and help me…The sense of support and collaboration permeates the Nagel group completely, out of genuine kindness and alignment of curiosity.”

Among the communal lab activities is something that Nagel believes in deeply: the value of learning to articulate a scientific problem. “That is, can you frame a vision about why this problem is important, why it’s worth doing and where it can lead?” Nagel said.

As members of Nagel’s laboratory transform from students to scientists, each learns how to present this vision through intensive coaching and group feedback.

“When I started grad school, I had no experience in giving scientific presentations, had very limited public speaking skills as a non-native English speaker, and did not enjoy presenting my work to people,” wrote another former student. “He is single-handedly responsible for making me a decent public speaker who loves giving talks.”

Another former student agreed: “He taught me to see the beauty in science, and to share my joy at understanding it with the world.”

Miwa Yasui, Associate Professor in the Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy and Practice

Described by her students and colleagues as an “exceptional,” “creative,” and “devoted lifelong mentor,” Miwa Yasui is a passionate educator whose deep commitment to teaching and student development has made a profound impact at the Crown Family School.

Recognizing that the academic life of a social scientist is never a solitary one, Yasui believes that learning is best cultivated in an environment that fosters collaboration and the sharing of ideas.

“Social sciences is something that you can never do on your own. It requires an entire team of great minds to come together. I’m very grateful for leading the team of students in my research lab from whom I have come to learn about their own interests and journeys, seeing especially how they would continue their intellectual trajectories,” she said.

Her pedagogy is also characterized by an empathetic listening that takes into account the diverse perspectives and lived experiences of her students, often reflected in their classroom discussions.

It is no wonder that she is well-loved among students in her department for being compassionate and attentive to their scholarly and emotional needs.

“Prof. Yasui has provided time and space to empathetically listen to my personal experience, inquire about my family and loved ones and mentor me on the importance of care. I cannot thank her enough for that,” a Crown Family School student said.

Having lived in different countries such as Japan, England, Singapore, and the United States, Yasui is deeply sensitive to the ways in which our human behavior, values, and beliefs are determined by cultural influences. Her research focuses on the intersection between race, culture, and immigration in the context of child development and family processes, and how they contribute to racial disparities in mental health.

Yasui’s conviction for her students is that they will not only become innovative leaders in social work but, more importantly, that their scholarship will also transform the lives of the vulnerable and marginalized.

As a former student gratefully expressed: “Notably, she believed in me.”

—With contributions by Andy Brown, Meredith Davis, Tori Lee, Louise Lerner and Matt Wood.

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Interview with isabel schnabel, member of the executive board of the ecb, conducted by steffen clement on 16 may 2024.

24 May 2024

On 6 June the Governing Council of the European Central Bank (ECB) will next decide on the level of interest rates. Will it be the beginning of a rate turnaround?

Every decision is made on the day of the Governing Council meeting on the basis of all the information available at the time. There are still quite a lot of data we haven’t received yet. So the decision won’t be made until the day the Governing Council meets. If the inflation outlook and the new data give us confidence that inflation will sustainably converge towards our target of 2%, a rate cut in June will be likely.

What impact do you expect on savers and borrowers?

When a rate cut is widely expected, market prices adjust in advance. This means that when an interest rate decision meets general expectations, probably nothing will change because the move has been priced in already. If you take out a mortgage today, you will already pay a lower rate of interest than a few months ago. This is because market participants have been expecting a rate cut in June for a while now.

Should an interest rate turnaround come, will there be further rate cuts in the coming months?

We are satisfied with the noticeable decline in inflation, but the path back towards price stability is bumpy. We see that some elements of inflation are proving persistent – especially domestic inflation, and services in particular. We are monitoring the situation closely and ought to give ourselves sufficient time. I would caution against moving too quickly because there is a risk of cutting interest rates too fast. And we should definitely avoid that.

Inflation keeps falling. How much of this is thanks to the ECB?

In October 2022 inflation in the euro area reached its peak of 10.6%. Since then, inflation has fallen to 2.4%, which is indeed very good news. Of course, this is not all thanks to the ECB’s monetary policy. Some of the factors driving prices up have reversed, particularly when it comes to energy prices. Monetary policy has little impact on that. At the same time, however, the rising interest rates dampened loan growth, which helped to lower inflation for goods and services.

Interest rate hikes typically weigh on economic activity. What is your initial assessment?

We are now seeing a gradual recovery of the euro area economy. At the same time, inflation continues to decline. This justifies the hope that we may succeed in returning to price stability without a recession. However, last year’s economic performance was weak; we had a stagnation. That partly reflects structural factors, though, such as prolonged higher energy prices or stronger competition from China.

As early as the 1970s, central banks initially managed to reduce the inflation rate by raising interest rates. But then inflation started to rise again. What conclusions do you draw from that?

We should certainly be cautious and closely monitor the data so that we can detect quickly if inflation is not evolving as expected. However, the risk of a wage-price spiral is lower today than it was in the 1970s. Today’s central banks enjoy far greater credibility and there is less automatic adjustment of wages to inflation. In this respect, I don’t think the current situation can be compared to the 1970s.

But the trade unions are able to achieve strong wage increases. Is a wage-price spiral looming?

It is our main goal to avoid such a wage-price spiral, in other words, mutually reinforcing upward adjustments of wages and prices. This depends, on the one hand, on wage growth and, on the other hand, on the extent to which firms pass on their higher wage costs to consumers. We are monitoring this closely. In the current situation we have seen strong wage increases, but wage growth is gradually slowing down. This is in line with our projections. We are therefore confident that we will return to our inflation target of 2% in 2025.

At some point this inflation target was a long way off.

A key reason why we succeeded in stabilising inflation is that we managed to stabilise inflation expectations. This means that although inflation reached double digits, people continued to trust us to bring inflation back to the target of 2%. We should not disappoint this trust.

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3 More College Leaders to Face Congress Over Antisemitism Claims

The heads of Rutgers, Northwestern and U.C.L.A. will be the first university leaders to testify since a wave of protest encampments roiled college campuses.

A protester walks with a Palestinian flag among a group of students on a campus sidewalk.

By Sharon Otterman , Ernesto Londoño and Nicholas Bogel-Burroughs

For the fourth time in six months, the Republican-led House Committee on Education and the Workforce is summoning school leaders to Washington to be questioned about accusations of antisemitism at their institutions.

This time, on Thursday, the committee’s focus will be on how three diverse universities reacted when pro-Palestinian encampments sprung up on their lawns as part of an international wave of student activism against the war in Gaza.

Two of the schools whose leaders will testify — Northwestern and Rutgers — made deals with protesters to end their encampments peacefully. The third, the University of California, Los Angeles, called in the police to dismantle its encampment, but only after a violent attack by counterprotesters the night before caused the situation to veer out of control .

Representative Virginia Foxx, the chairwoman of the committee, has blasted Rutgers and Northwestern for negotiating with the demonstrators, whose views she has described as antisemitic and supportive of terrorism. But she has also derided U.C.L.A.’s chancellor for calling the police too late, saying he allowed his campus to become a “severe and pervasive hostile environment for Jewish students.”

“The committee has a clear message for mealy-mouthed, spineless college leaders: Congress will not tolerate your dereliction of your duty to your Jewish students,” Ms. Foxx said in a May 16 statement announcing the hearing. “No stone must go unturned while buildings are being defaced, campus greens are being captured or graduations are being ruined.”

The three college leaders do not dispute that Jewish students have faced antisemitism, both on and off their campuses. But all have largely defended their responses, saying that they have taken steps to stop it.

How aggressive they will be in pushing back against the committee’s claims, however, remains to be seen.

School leaders have taken different approaches at past hearings. The presidents of Harvard and the University of Pennsylvania were measured and legalistic; the president of Columbia was conciliatory. Three public school superintendents, who testified earlier this month, ceded little ground, sparring with lawmakers in ways rarely seen on Capitol Hill.

Those who distrust the committee’s motivations in grilling the college leaders hope Thursday will represent another moment of pushback. Many faculty members and students have seen the hearings as government intrusions motivated more by partisan politics than real concern for Jewish students.

Elizabeth Shakman Hurd, the chair of religious studies at Northwestern, defended the school’s decision to end its encampment using negotiation as a model of constructive conflict resolution.

“We can be proud of our administration and we can be proud of our students,” she said. She added that it pained her to see Northwestern’s president “dragged up there and subjected to this inquisitorial process that is so reminiscent of McCarthyism.”

Thursday’s hearing represents the first time that leaders of public universities — U.C.L.A. and Rutgers — have been brought to testify about campus antisemitism since the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel. This changes the hearing’s context somewhat, as public universities must follow First Amendment principles of free speech on their campuses, while private universities have more freedom to restrict what can be said.

It is also the first time that university leaders have been questioned since the decision of Columbia’s president, Nemat Shafik, to call in the police to end a pro-Palestinian encampment on April 18, shortly after her own congressional testimony.

Since then, at least 65 other university leaders across the country have cracked down on pro-Palestinian student protesters by detaining or arresting them, with nearly 3,000 arrests so far , according to a New York Times tracker. But more than a dozen colleges have reached agreements with demonstrators, often by consenting to talk about their key demand: severing their school’s financial ties with companies that profit from Israeli actions in Gaza and the West Bank.

The university leaders speaking before the committee Thursday face a variety of circumstances at their campuses, and their testimony is likely to vary in style and focus.

Only months from a preplanned retirement, Gene D. Block, the chancellor of U.C.L.A. and an expert in neuroscience, may feel freer than the other two college leaders to parry with committee members.

His campus was thrown into turmoil three weeks ago amid a flurry of conflict over the pro-Palestinian student encampment there. The conflict culminated in an attack on the camp on April 30 by a group of pro-Israel counterprotesters. The following night, the police arrested more than 200 pro-Palestinian demonstrators.

Since then, Dr. Block and the university’s police force have faced criticism on multiple fronts. Many have questioned why the counterprotesters were allowed to attack students in the encampment for several hours before the police intervened, and why only members of the camp — and not those who attacked it — have been arrested so far.

“It wasn’t that we were arrested that bothered us — at least for me, it was, What is this unreal double standard?” said Aidan Doyle, a third-year student who was arrested in the pro-Palestinian encampment after being injured by counterprotesters.

The education committee has charged that U.C.L.A. did not act soon enough to clear the camp, allowing acts of harassment against some Jewish students.

In his written testimony to the committee, provided to The Times, Dr. Block mentioned his childhood as a Jewish boy growing up in the Catskills region of New York, with relatives who were Holocaust survivors. He described how as chancellor of a public university, he must both allow free speech and keep students safe from discrimination, a difficult balance.

He also took some blame, acknowledging that U.C.L.A. was insufficiently prepared with security resources when violence broke out around the encampment. He pledged reform.

“With the benefit of hindsight, we should have been prepared to immediately remove the encampment if and when the safety of our community was put at risk,” he said.

On Wednesday, the school removed the campus police chief , John Thomas, from his post and reassigned him, according to U.C.L.A. officials.

Michael Schill , the president of Northwestern University since September 2022, is a legal scholar who has made safeguarding free speech one of his core priorities.

On April 29, Mr. Schill became the first university president to strike a deal with students who had called on their school to sever financial ties with companies profiting from Israel’s military campaign.

Under the agreement, students dismantled their tent encampment and Northwestern promised to be more transparent about its financial holdings. It also agreed to award scholarships to five Palestinian students affected by the conflict and to create roles for two Palestinian professors.

The deal restored a sense of normalcy on campus, but it was met with vociferous criticism from pro-Israel groups, which accused Mr. Schill of condoning antisemitism. Mr. Schill, who is Jewish, is expected to face tough questions about the deal on Thursday.

“I used to say that it was very hard to make everyone happy,” Mr. Schill said in an interview days after the agreement was announced. “Today it’s virtually impossible to make anyone happy.”

Eman Hamed, a junior at Northwestern who helped organize the pro-Palestinian demonstrations, said lawmakers and university administrators had focused too much on allegations of antisemitism while glossing over instances of harassment and abuse directed at Arab students.

“There’s a single story being told right now by presidents like Schill, who only honor and condemn antisemitism with no regard for rampant anti-Arab sentiment,” said Ms. Hamed.

Jonathan Holloway , the president of Rutgers since 2020, is a historian specializing in African American history. One of his goals at Rutgers, he has said , is to foster “a beloved community,” a university culture defined by tolerance, diversity and the spirited exchange of opinions and ideas.

He has also come under considerable criticism since negotiating an end to a large pro-Palestinian encampment on Rutgers’s campus in New Brunswick, N.J., on May 2. Under the agreement, the university will welcome 10 displaced Palestinian students to finish their educations at Rutgers, plan for a new cultural center for Arab and Muslim students and allow protesters to formally present their divestment requests.

Two Democratic congressmen from New Jersey, Donald Norcross and Josh Gottheimer, denounced Dr. Holloway’s response in a letter.

“We are concerned that Rutgers appears to have incentivized people to act in a lawless and threatening manner by appeasing the demands of violent and hateful agitators,” they wrote of the deal.

But Dr. Holloway has defended his approach, noting on May 6 that “the result of our actions was a peaceful return to the normal course of business.” (He has also allowed a second, smaller tent encampment to remain at the university’s Newark campus for three weeks. On Tuesday, administrators told protesters to “ leave now .”)

While some Jewish faculty members and students are upset by what they view as a capitulation to the protesters, others support Dr. Holloway.

“The negotiated agreement avoided the brutal confrontation with the police that we have seen unfold on other campuses across the country,” several Jewish Rutgers professors wrote in an open letter that has now been signed by more than 600 Jewish professors nationally.

Sharon Otterman is a Times reporter covering higher education, public health and other issues facing New York City. More about Sharon Otterman

Ernesto Londoño is a Times reporter based in Minnesota, covering news in the Midwest and drug use and counternarcotics policy. More about Ernesto Londoño

Nicholas Bogel-Burroughs reports on national stories across the United States with a focus on criminal justice. He is from upstate New York. More about Nicholas Bogel-Burroughs

The Campus Protests Over the Gaza War

News and Analysis

A union for academic workers in the University of California system announced that an ongoing strike challenging the system’s handling of pro-Palestinian demonstrations would extend to two more campuses , U.C.L.A. and U.C. Davis.

With speeches canceled , students at the City University of New York School of Law ceremony chanted, carried signs and walked out .

Hundreds of students walked out of Harvard’s commencement ceremony , while hundreds of others chanted “Let them walk!”, a reference to 13 student protesters who were not allowed to graduate.

A Complex Summer: Many university leaders and officials may be confronting federal investigations, disputes over student discipline — and the prospect that the protests start all over again in the fall.

Graduation’s Pomp Goes On: Commencement is the rare American ritual that still has rules. That’s why it’s ripe for disruption .

A New Litmus Test: Some Jewish students say their views on Zionism — which are sometimes assumed — have affected their social life on campus .

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Top 25 PhD Interview Questions and Answers in 2024
PhD Interview Questions + Answers
Scholarship interview questions and answers! (How to prepare for the
Top 40 Scholarship Interview Questions And Answers Example (PDF for
Top 15 PhD interview questions that you must be ready to answer
PhD Interview

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PhD Scholarships Interview Questions and Answers
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PhD Interview Questions and Answers
We've also included a selection of questions to ask during a PhD interview. ... In both cases you should point to some existing scholarship and show an awareness of the field you'll be entering. You'll also want to re-iterate what makes your project distinctive. After all, the PhD is defined as offering 'an original contribution to ...
PhD Interview Questions and Answers (13 Questions + Answers)
Learn how to prepare for a PhD interview with 13 common questions and sample answers. Find out how to showcase your research skills, passion, and fit for the program.
To ace your Ph.D. program interviews, prepare to answer—and ...
To ace your Ph.D. program interviews, prepare to answer—and ask—these key questions. You've made it to the last step of the Ph.D. application process: the interview. Congratulations! But amid the excitement and butterflies, don't neglect the crucial next step: preparation. Grad school interviews—in which aspiring graduate students meet ...
Top 40 Scholarship Interview Questions And Answers Example (PDF for
Don't worry you can download 40 Scholarship interview questions and answers PDF and read at your own convenient. 1. Tell us about yourself! This is the most popular among all scholarship interview questions and answers. This is quite an open - ended question.
Common PhD Interview Questions
Learn how to answer 11 common questions that may come up in your PhD interview, such as why you want to do a PhD, why you chose this project, and how you came up with it. Get tips on how to structure your answers, show your passion, and highlight your skills.
Top 10 Common PhD Interview Questions and Answers
A Ph.D. interview could range from an informal meeting with a potential adviser to interviewing with a formal panel. However, all Ph.D. interviews will include questions that concern your academic achievements, field of research, motivation for applying and goals. Here are 10 questions you may encounter in a Ph.D. interview with example answers: 1.
The PhD Interview
Depending on the format for your PhD interview it could involve: A formal question and answer session in front of a postgraduate recruitment panel. A presentation, based on your research proposal or area of expertise. A one-to-one discussion with your prospective supervisor.
PhD Interview Questions + Answers
If you have a PhD interview coming up you will want to prepare some answers to the possible questions that your PhD supervisors will ask you. In this video I...
Top 10 PhD Interview Questions
Here are ten common PhD interview questions. 1. Tell us about yourself. This is a popular opener for just about any type of interview. It's meant to be an easy icebreaker, but that doesn't mean there isn't a wrong answer. Make sure to your response is relevant to the context of a PhD interview. Talk about your academic background ...
How to Prepare for a PhD Interview
Here are some ways to prepare for your interview: Review your research proposal or statement of purpose. The interviewer will likely make reference to it during the interview. Go over the experiences that have prepared you for a PhD and be ready to give specific examples during the interview. Be able to explain the reasons why you applied to ...
PhD Interview Questions & Answers
Learn how to prepare for a PhD interview and what questions to expect from your potential supervisors. Find out the dos and don'ts of a PhD interview and get tips on how to showcase your motivation, experience, project and future ambitions.
15 Scholarship Interview Questions (and How to Respond)
Arrive for the interview early (and plan for traffic, train delays, etc.) Dress professionally, but comfortably (when in doubt about attire, you can always reach out to the scholarship awarding organization) Stories are powerful-when answering questions you should always elaborate with specific examples or anecdotes.
How To Answer 20 Common Scholarship Interview Questions
Stay relaxed. Answering scholarship interview questions is typically easier when you are calm. Practice relaxation exercises, such as deep breathing, before going into the interview. Smile, shake the interviewer's hand firmly and be yourself. Act confident and deserving of the scholarship.
Top Ten PhD Interview Questions and Answers
Learn how to prepare for a PhD interview with tips and examples of common questions. Find out how to showcase your skills, motivation, research and fit for the programme and department you have applied for.
PhD Scholarships Interview Questions and Answers
In this video, Professor Dr. Waseem Haider discussed crucial questions that might arise in your PhD admission and scholarship interview. Once your admission ...
Questions to Ask During Your PhD Interview
You're asking this to firstly work out how experienced the professor is at supervising students, based purely on the numbers previously supervised. The reason to ask the second question of how many students gained PhDs is to get an idea of the supervisor's track record of successful supervision. The lower the percentage of students that ...
Top 15 PhD interview questions that you must be ready to answer!
Learn how to prepare for a PhD interview and answer common questions about your motivation, skills, project and career aspirations. Find out what the panel is looking for and how to showcase your fit for the PhD programme.
10 minute presentation for a scholarship PhD interview
I was selected for an interview for a PhD scholarship and asked to give a 10-minute presentation consisting of 10 slides including "summarising both your research experience and your research plan for the project". ... So for both your previous and your proposed research show an understanding of why the questions are interesting, why the ...
How to Answer 30 Popular Scholarship Interview Questions
8. Tell me about your leadership experience. Interviewers use this question to gauge how you build and maintain relationships, how you work with others, and how you motivate them to get something done. Highlight a time when you had to lead a team or group and how you inspired them to achieve a goal.
PhD Scholarship Interview Questions & Answers
PhD Scholarship Interview Questions & Answers Achieving Success: Navigating PhD Scholarship InterviewsGetting invited for a PhD scholarship interview is a big step in your academic journey. At BrightMindAI.com, we understand that these interviews can be challenging, especially when it comes to talking about your research interests and ideas.
Common Scholarship Interview Questions and Examples
Common scholarship interview questions usually will focus on the student's strengths, weaknesses, goals, personality, and academics. Others may ask about motivation, stress management, and extracurricular activities. ... Once I graduate, I plan to work at a local farm and earn enough to start fields of my own. I even have plans to donate some ...
Sample scholarship interview questions at graduate level
Congratulation on your first success of getting a scholarship interview! Search committee have been impressed with your written applications and like to know more about you in a scholarship interview. Careful preparation for the scholarship interview questions will help you overcoming nervousness and be your best at the interview.
35 Common Scholarship Interview Questions (with Answers)
4) Tell us a few things about yourself that didn't appear in your application materials. You're almost guaranteed to get one of these hyper-general interview questions as your interviewer begins questioning you. These questions may take the longest to prepare for because they are so open-ended.
PTDF Scholarship Interview Questions and Preparation Guide
Starting with the 2018 award programme, PTDF Scholarship board stopped administering aptitude tests as part of its selection process. An opportunity to face PTDF scholarship interview panel is one you want to make good use of. Getting dropped after making it to the interviews is a very painful experience.
MSc + PhD Departmental Scholarships for Women 2024
MSc Geo-Energy with Machine Learning and Data Science - Sophie Pirouet ([email protected]) To be considered for a Scholarship for one of the above MSc programmes in academic year 2024-25, please: Apply for the course via the Imperial College MSc graduate course admissions process by 7 June 2024; Request the online application form ...
School of Medicine Columbia
Type: Hybrid Event (Sessions In-Person and Online) Date: July 16-18, 2024: Organization: South Carolina Department of Education: Location: 1041 George Rogers Blvd.
UChicago announces 2024 winners of Quantrell and PhD Teaching Awards
"The truly exceptional and curious students, coupled with small class sizes, allow me to go deeper into very advanced topics," Chong said. "Perhaps my favorite part comes from student questions. After 28 years of teaching, I can still get questions that surprise me and make me rethink some of the fundamentals of my field."
Interview with ARD Plusminus und tagesschau.de
In October 2022 inflation in the euro area reached its peak of 10.6%. Since then, inflation has fallen to 2.4%, which is indeed very good news. Of course, this is not all thanks to the ECB's monetary policy. Some of the factors driving prices up have reversed, particularly when it comes to energy prices. Monetary policy has little impact on that.
Northwestern, UCLA and Rutgers Will Face Congress Over Antisemitism
The heads of Rutgers, Northwestern and U.C.L.A. will be the first university leaders to testify since a wave of protest encampments roiled college campuses. Rutgers University negotiated with ...