As many students plan to apply for a 

#PhD this spring, below I am listing some mistakes that the candidates often
make during #interview. Most issues arise when #students struggle with “Why” and “How” types of questions.
 

Here are some common issues and mistakes that I can outline:

1. Many students cannot clearly explain why they want to get a PhD.

- Very few can explain what specifically motivates them to get a PhD and why. The answer often condenses to “I
want to do research” without any details as to why they want to do it and why they like it. PhD is a lot more than
a simple research #job. It is not about simply doing #research.

2. Very few students know what their interviewer (potential advisor) works on. 

- However incredible it might seem, many students do not bother checking the website and #publications of their
potential advisor. Questions such as “Why applying to us?” and “What is so interesting in our group for you?”
often remain unanswered. 

3. Students don’t want to highlight their own contribution. 

- In many labs, students assume that their work is not theirs BUT belongs to a large number of people and should
be presented as a teamwork. However, during interview we do not look for justice but are trying to understand
the student’s personal contribution and evaluate the overall presentation of the work. 

4. The presentation of the BS/MS project starts with a poor introduction.

- The students often cite their advisor’s wishes as the reason for the project objectives and direction. 

5. Students do not think deeply about their experiments/simulations.

- This point becomes quite obvious once they are asked questions such as “How did you collect these data?” or
“Can you explain how this technique works?”. Saying that the data came from a colleague or collaborator and
that you don’t know the specifics is NOT a good answer. 

6. Reading from the screen during presentation.

- It is always very apparent when the students read from their notes in the PowerPoint or on the desk. This is NOT
viewed positively by the interviewer.

7. Students start referring to their advisor’s opinion/suggestion whenever they cannot find the right answer.

- “My advisor said that it is needed”, “My advisor thinks that this topic is important for his lab”, etc. 
This highlights the fact that the student didn’t bother delving into the topic, reading literature, or asking their
advisor all necessary questions. They “just did it”. 

So, If you advise MS students:

- Please get them ready for a PhD interview!!! 
At the end of each semester, gather your students together and go over the typical questions and mistakes that
people make. Explain them how competitive a PhD position is. Get them prepared!

Finally, my personal advice:

If you want to become a PhD student, prepare yourself as if each interview is your LAST chance to get your dream
position! Maximize your chances by maximizing your efforts!