PhD interview, any advice?

[RHFusillo]

Is the PhD system that much different in the US? I thought PhDs were always research based? Is there a taught element to them in the US?

My (engineering) Ph.D. program was research based, but there was about a year and a half of fairly intense course work at the start. I was in a direct-entry Ph.D. program. I never got a master's degree.

We were expected to begin research early, starting with the research proposal. After the course work was the qualifying exam (ours was entirely written; there is an oral component [no jokes, please] in some programs). I got my proposal out of the way shortly after the qualifier. We could take courses after the required load, if they were interesting and useful.

 

[Tsal]

probably shave the mohawk.

We have a prof in Biochem in a neighbouring university, who not only has a mohawk, but has his ears pierced and wears a studded leather jacket to work

 

[crayzee]

If you walk in and they're being very polite to you, check to see if they're wearing rubber gloves.

Just in case...

 

[smperry]

As I'm sure you know, the UK system is much more tied to research than the Ph.D. model in the USA. From what I understand, getting a doctorate in the UK totally revolves around the research project. What can you bring to the table that will advance the research interests of the professor that would be your supervisor? I think that is something you should really consider.

As someone who has a Ph.D. and has worked on graduate student admissions, this is good advice for the U.S. as well. In addition to demonstrating your qualifications and how you "fit", you'll show you're interested in what they do...stroking egos is always good.

 

[Eric Perry]

I haven't started any post grad work yet... And not sure when I will be, so I have no advice for ya.

Regardless, good luck, man!

 

[fdeck]

In the US, the typical graduate student goes through the Master's and PhD within the same program. Rather than interviewing for openings, we go through the equivalent of a coursework Masters degree, take some qualifying exams, and then present a thesis research proposal for approval. At that point we are PhD candidates. Then we do the research, write it up, and we're done.

I started working for my thesis advisor before I was done with my coursework, but my thesis project was definitely research oriented.

As for applying, it's good to show some familiarity with the subject matter. Reading the professor's latest papers is probably obligatory. Show that you are ready to work 60+ hours a week for a few years.