Securing a PhD admission offer from a Business School often hinges on one critical hurdle: the interview. For Economics students, the interview process can be particularly challenging as it may not be as emphasized in their prior preparation. For international students, this stage might feel even more daunting. However, based on my personal experience, I strongly believe that interview skills improve significantly with practice, and the process becomes more familiar after a few rounds. After numerous interviews, I’d like to share my journey and offer some insights on how to navigate PhD interviews successfully, as well as answer some common questions that prospective students might have.
The more interviews you go through, the better you'll become at handling them. Academic PhD interviews tend to be quite similar across institutions, and after a few, you'll start noticing recurring patterns in the questions being asked. My key insight is that experience and practice are far more effective than simply memorizing prepared answers. But how do you gain that practice?
For me, interviewing for pre-doctoral programs was an excellent opportunity to hone my skills. I had the chance to speak with professors about my research under high-pressure situations, which forced me to articulate my work clearly and respond to unprepared questions. Over time, I realized that the focus of most interviews was on research experience, which became the cornerstone of my preparation.
After more than 20 interviews, I noticed that professors consistently centered their questions around three main topics: research motivations and experience, role in research projects, and limitations of your work along with potential improvements.
Research Motivations and Experience: Professors want to know how you developed your research project, what inspired your ideas, and whether you're genuinely passionate about the subject. They are assessing your ability to ask thought-provoking research questions.
Role in the Research Projects: They will ask about your level of involvement, which gives them insight into your skills, including programming or technical expertise. Demonstrating hands-on experience in research tools can set you apart.
Limitations of your work along with potential improvements: Finally, questions about the limitations of your research are a way for professors to gauge your academic knowledge, particularly in fields like mathematics and statistics. Answering these questions well shows that you are not only capable of conducting research but also critically evaluating it.
Professors are looking for students who are deeply passionate about their research and who possess the skills necessary to thrive in a PhD program.
At the end of many interviews, you’ll likely be asked if you have any questions for the faculty. This is a prime opportunity to demonstrate your passion and curiosity about your field. In my experience, I felt showing a genuine interest in pursuing an academic career after PhD was particularly valued. This is because schools often assume that students aiming for academic careers are more likely to be research-driven.
So, what should you ask? I found it helpful to inquire about how to best prepare for an academic career during the PhD program. For example, I asked questions like, "What should I focus on more during my PhD to succeed in corporate finance field? Should I prioritize theory, data analysis, or AI and machine learning?" This approach reflected my commitment to becoming a serious researcher and opened a constructive dialogue about the path ahead.
In Business PhD programs, there’s often a greater emphasis on "fit" compared to Economics PhDs. Business programs typically send out fewer offers, which makes the admission process more competitive and nuanced. While some schools may seem to be on the same tier, you might receive very different outcomes depending on the program's specific needs and preferences.
My strategy involved focusing on one program that I believed was the best fit for me. After I got a couple offers, I aimed for one school that I really wanted to go. For the one school I chose, I was open and honest with the professors during the in-person interview, letting them know what schools I’ve interviewed with and among them which program was my top choice. At that point, for the other schools I was interviewing with, I showed equal interest but made it clear that if my first choice extended an offer, I would accept it. This approach was risky but, in my case, it paid off. I recommend finding a program that feels like the right match and dedicating your efforts there, as fit plays a significant role in admissions.
Conclusion
Interviews are a critical part of the PhD admission process in Business Schools. To excel, you need to showcase both your passion for research and your ability to succeed in your chosen field.
Start by building strong research experience, practice extensively for interviews, ask thoughtful questions that reflect your academic ambitions, and show loyalty and commitment to an academic career path. By doing so, you'll position yourself as a strong candidate and increase your chances of securing that coveted admission offer.