Preparing for Your Psychology Master's Degree Interview

Published on: February 14, 2024

Man shaking someone's hand while in an interview.

You've worked hard to prepare for an amazing graduate school psychology program: studying for the GRE, submitting applications and writing personal statements. All that effort has paid off, and your application has attracted attention. Remember, not everyone gets the chance to move past the first step of the grad school application process. This is a huge honor and you should feel proud.

The hard work is just beginning, however. Now that your application has hit the mark, it's time to embark on an equally challenging process — preparing for your graduate school interview. This is a powerful opportunity. You get to learn more about the program and determine whether it's a good fit, while faculty members discover what makes you an excellent candidate for their program.

It's natural to be nervous, but if this process is framed as an exciting opportunity, you will be eager to put in the effort. Below, we will reveal how to prepare for a grad school interview, especially if you hope to study psychology as a master's student.

Get Your Applied Psychology Degree

Understanding the Importance of Interviews for Master's Degrees

Graduate program applications showcase your academic and professional experience, but there is only so much you can convey through test scores, resumes or letters of recommendation.

At some point, faculty members will want to get to know the real you. This is where the master's degree interview allows you to shine.

How the Interview Process Works

The interview process can look a bit different from one graduate program to the next, but most provide a basic opportunity to interact with faculty members and expand upon information initially shared in your psychology master's application.

Depending on the program in question, you may meet with one or two faculty members or with a full committee that could include current graduate students. The interview may feel conversational with the interviewers striving to put you at ease so you can reveal your genuine personality.

Grad school interviews often run at least half an hour. These interviews traditionally take place in person, but there is now a greater willingness to accommodate virtual formats. Both call for extensive preparation with audiovisual concerns also coming into play for virtual sessions.

What Interviewers Are Looking For

No one skill or accomplishment will automatically spell success, but interviewers tend to keep an eye out for these qualities when meeting with aspiring graduate psychology students:

Authenticity. Interviewers have little interest in overly rehearsed answers. They want a glimpse into your true personality. Although it can be tempting to 'play the part' of somebody more qualified, this is not wise. You want to know if the program is a good fit, so this will be difficult to assess if you aren't true to yourself.
Confidence. A lack of confidence can be a real liability, no matter how qualified you are for the psychology program. If you come across as timid or unsure, interviewers are likely to underestimate you. Eye contact, body language and tone of voice play heavily into how you are perceived and remembered.
Passion. Don't be afraid to put your full passion on display. After all, grad students deeply fascinated by and drawn to psychology are the most likely to continue giving it their all when the going gets tough. Interviewers may be especially intrigued by research interest areas, so feel free to reveal which topics or niches you find compelling.

How to Prepare for a Psychology Grad School Interview

Now that you understand the basic components of a successful grad school interview, it's time to start preparing. Sooner is always better as it takes time to conduct research, get in touch with a trusted faculty member and set grad school goals that help you answer key questions with confidence. These steps are especially important.

Research the Psychology Program

Research is a must for any interview, but especially when applying to grad school. This means taking a deep dive into curricula, course requirements, accreditation and overarching philosophies or values. Your takeaways will determine how you answer key questions and where you find common ground with the interviewer.

Practice Common Interview Questions

No one question is guaranteed to appear in every grad school interview, but certain topics are more likely to take center stage. The more prepared you are for these areas of focus, the less flustered you'll feel. Prior to the interview, take a close look at common questions (which is highlighted in more detail below). Consider journaling about these to reveal your true thoughts and opinions.

Avoid the urge to write and memorize your answers word-for-word as you don't want to sound overly rehearsed. This would prevent you from genuinely connecting with the interviewers. Practice should encompass not only what you say but also how you say it. Consider taping yourself so you can determine how you need to change.

Connect With Faculty and Students

There is only so much you can learn from official college catalogs, brochures and other materials. Should you want an inside look at a particular graduate psychology program, ask those currently immersed in the academic environment, like grad students and faculty members.

LinkedIn can be an excellent resource, so don't hesitate to search for current graduate students and send friendly messages. This is your chance to inquire about the program and to get the inside details on what exactly sets it apart. Ask about the student experience including which resources are available, how demanding the coursework is and which classes or experiences are most compelling.

Formulate Your Career Goals and Aspirations

You will almost certainly be asked about your career plans and, while you don't need to have every detail drawn up just yet, you should have a basic idea of what you want to accomplish as a psychology grad student and in future professional pursuits.

Take some time to brainstorm your future, touching on possible research topics, career fields and other opportunities. Use these insights to develop achievable, yet accessible goals that align with your preferred psychology programs.

Prepare Questions to Ask

It sounds cliche, but nearly every interviewer eventually encourages interviewees to ask questions of their own. This is your chance to reveal in-demand qualities such as attention to detail.

Questions will ideally be tailored to reflect the specifics of the psychology program but should also convey that you genuinely want to learn more. Examples of questions worth asking include:

What are the scheduling expectations for this program? Are grad students expected to be flexible? How is work-life balance encouraged or maintained?
What is this psychology program's advising philosophy? How does this play out in interactions between advisors and grad school students?
Can you tell me about available research opportunities and how previous students have taken advantage of them?

On the Day of the Interview

Don't let nerves get in the way of a great interview; with the right attire and attitude, you can make a powerful impression. Follow these day-of suggestions to give yourself an extra edge.

Dress for Success

Your attire can play a huge role in how you're perceived. As with any formal interview, you will want to maintain a crisp and professional appearance. This begins with strong hygiene but also means developing a put-together outfit that conveys both your professionalism and personality.

When in doubt, button-up shirts, slacks or suit jackets are safe. A great fit is also important. Consider investing in tailoring if you struggle to find flattering attire. These standards hold true for video-based interviews. When you dress the part, you will feel more confident and that confidence alone will help you make a much stronger impression.

Manage Stress and Nerves

A great outfit can provide a much-needed burst of confidence, but you may need to call on a variety of other strategies to keep your stress in check. Deep breathing can be particularly effective. Focus on your breath, ideally in a quiet location. Breathe through your nose and into your lower belly, allowing ruminations and mental chatter to float away.

Other calming methods might include chatting on the phone with loved ones or listening to inspirational music. Avoid the urge to continue researching and rehearsing answers to common interview questions. This is helpful in the weeks leading up to the interview, but on the day of, it may only lead to more anxiety.

Common Graduate School Interview Questions

As you prepare for the interview process, you will want to have a basic idea of what interviewers might ask. This will differ between programs, but in general, interviewers can be expected to touch on the reasons underscoring your interest in the program and inquire about your plans. Possible graduate school interview questions include:

What attracted you to our psychology program? This is your chance to reveal why you want to study psychology at the master's level and what you find appealing about the college and the program in question.
How will you contribute to our program? As a graduate student, you have a powerful opportunity to give back as you develop high-level skills. Use this opportunity to highlight your research interest areas and how they align with the psychology program in question.
Where do you see yourself in five years? This question encourages you to examine how you'll navigate the professional world following graduation. Be sure to share the ambitious vision that will ultimately guide your graduate school experience. Convey how exactly you want to draw on your newly developed skills and knowledge to help others.
What are your weaknesses as a student and how will you overcome them? Self-aware students are among the most successful, and having completed your bachelor's, you should have an in-depth understanding of what you find challenging about the college experience and which strategies are the most helpful for overcoming these concerns. Be honest but make it clear you've put in the work and come a long way.

Following Up After a Psychology Program Interview

After a successful interview, you deserve a moment to celebrate. Next, send a quick message to the interviewer to express your gratitude. Not everybody gets the opportunity to interview for master's degree programs, so you don't want to take this for granted. Your thank you should be brief, but genuine. Show appreciation for the interviewer's time and restate your interest in the psychology program.

Prepare for Your Graduate Student Journey at Husson

At Husson University, we provide a variety of online programs designed to spark your passion and expand your skill set. Our goal is to help prepare our graduate students for a bright future as an accomplished professional. Reach out today to learn more about our highly regarded undergraduate and graduate degree programs.