Congrats! You made it through December, which is probably the hardest time of the entire application process. And, if you’re reading this post, you probably got invited to a few interviews! Now that 2026 is about to start, it’s time to prepare. Keep reading for my top 10 tips for interviewing (in no particular order).
1. Choose Interviewers Strategically
Many programs will ask you to list 5-10 faculty members that you want to interview with (although you are not guaranteed a meeting with these people). While it’s easy to pick names that may be familiar to you, there are a few extra considerations you can make.
Pick faculty members who are conducting similar research. Even if this isn’t a field you see yourself in as a grad student, choosing a faculty member who will be able to ask you questions about your work will make for a more interesting conversation, as well as allow you to answer some of their questions. With proper preparation, you’ll really be able to show off your expertise!
Ask the people in your network for recommendations. If any of your lab mates or your PI knows anyone at the institution you are interviewing at, ask them for suggestions! They will know first-hand who will make for a good interaction.
Make your picks consistent with what you wrote about in your application. Make sure the names you pick are within the field and the area of study you wrote about in your application. From this point forward, you want to ensure that you are giving admissions committees a clear view of who you are and what your goals for your PhD are. Further, if you mentioned anyone specifically in your personal statement, also include their name here.
2. Review your personal statement, CV, etc.
This is one thing that I wish I had done while preparing for my interviews. Before your first interview, give your personal statement and CV a glance. Since your interviewers will probably be doing the same, you can get an idea of what experiences they may ask about, as well as any specific questions they may ask you. Further, reviewing your personal statement allows you to craft answers to questions that align with your application.
3. Preparation is key
There are lots of ways you can do this, but this is the approach that I took (which I think worked out well):
Write out a list of all of your research experiences. Highlight key techniques you used, the questions you were asking, major findings, and any output from the project - think publications, conferences, talks.
List out your extracurriculars. What skills did you learn? How were you involved? Once again, highlight your impact and how these experiences helped you grow.
Focus on HOW these experiences impacted you as a scientist. Did you grow as a science communicator? Did you learn to become more resourceful? Did you become a better researcher? Many students will talk about the points on their resume, but what really allows some to stand out is that they have put thought into how these experiences shaped their motivation to pursue a PhD.
4. Practice!
This can be done in a few ways, but the main objective here is to get comfortable talking about your science before interviewing. You could consider:
Giving a lab meeting in the weeks before your interview
Talking to friends or family about your work
Mock interviewing with a friend or lab mates
5. Confidence is Key!
While this may seem trivial, it’s so important that you remain confident during this process. You may encounter a grumpy interviewer, or feel like comparing yourself to the other interviewers that you may meet. The important thing to keep telling yourself is that nobody knows your work like you do. OWN IT! Take things step by step and build yourself back up if someone tries to knock you down.
6. You will be tired- take time to recharge your battery
These interview weekends are no joke- you're talking, mingling, interviewing, doing various activities for days on end. It’s very normal to be pretty exhausted after each interview weekend, especially if you are traveling. While this time is so quick and busy, remember to find time to rest.
7. Look the part!
While these interviews are not incredibly formal (suit and tie is usually a bit on the dressier side), remember to wear something where you will feel your best. If you feel good (and confident), you’ll be a little bit less nervous. Additionally, some of these interview weekends have a lot of walking built into the schedule, so grab yourself a pair of professional, but also comfortable, shoes.
8. Keep track of everything
Planning these trips also involves a lot of administrative work, so keep track of everything. I suggest tagging emails from each school so you can keep travel information, schedules, and general information organized. If you are traveling for interviews, you may have to coordinate with travel agents, so ensure that you respond to them promptly and put information in your calendar as soon as you get it.
Many programs will also reimburse for food and other expenses that you may have during travel to interview weekends. I recommend you keep the following documented:
Any credit card charges for food, taxis, etc
Receipts from Uber or Lyft (this was the main thing I got reimbursed for)
Credit card statements (you’ll usually be asked for this later on)
9. Your interviewers aren’t there to scare you
In fact, it’s the opposite! While it feels like these interviews are a test, many times they are not. In most cases, interviewers are trying to convince you to join their program, so take a deep breath and treat these interviews more like a conversation with someone new. Have questions about the program, share what excites you about a PhD, and BE YOURSELF!
10. HAVE FUN!
When the stress of meeting with faculty ends, many of these interview weekends are actually quite fun! I did so many activities like escape rooms, Korean BBQ, and bowling! I even got to view NYC from the top of the Empire State Building. I even saw some of the same people at many of my interviews, so I made some friends during this crazy time!
Hi, I’m Isabella!
I’m a Ph.D. student passionate about science communication and mentoring younger scientists. I post on My Ph.Diary. on Sundays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, sharing my lab experiences, advice on navigating research, and any biological topics that pique my curiosity. Subscribe below to stay updated!
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“Your interviewers aren’t there to scare you.” This is so true, even if they ask challenging questions. Having done some interviews myself, I always want the applicant to be themselves (so that we can make a good decision) as well as leave with a positive impression of the program, department, and school.
Great advice!