How To Prepare For PhD INTERVIEWS | PhD INTERVIEW QUESTIONS | MY PhD INTERVIEW EXPERIENCE
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 11 ม.ค. 2020
- Interviews are hard in general, but there's something about PhD interviews that feel that little bit harder. This is possibly due to how competitive they are and how much is at stake in terms of funding. This is why it is important for you to evaluate deeply as to why you want to do a PhD. My advice is that if you have been invited for an interview, you are good enough, so go in with confidence and belief that you deserve the place. Prepare yourself for the general questions that will definitely be asked and read up on your current research project or past/favourite research project. Evaluate why you enjoyed it, the problems you faced and how you dealt with it, also think about things that you can improve on and how your past research experience will help in you being a successful PhD researcher.
Take your time to answer the questions, trust me they want you to do well just remember that, relax, be honest, have faith and have confidence in yourself, ability and knowledge.
YOU GOT THIS!! All the best!!
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I followed some of your tips for my PhD interview, and won a PhD studentship! :) Thanks a lot, Sam! Best of luck to completing your PhD! :D
Winnie Tsang omg wooow massive congratulations to you!! 🎉🎉🎉 this message brings so much joy to my heart. Well done on you hard work I wish you all the best also in you PhD. May I ask where and what you’re going to be studying?
@@SamuelDadao
This guy is really awesome and kind hearted. No one can expects from someone to share his experience at cambridge especially in this 21st century..
Thank you so much for your kind words really means the world to me!! 😊
Helped me so much and honestly think that watching this in the run up to my interview is why I'm now sitting in my fancy new PhD office*
*It is not fancy, it definitely used to be a cupboard, but I still got the PhD
Massive Congratulations to you MICHELLE!! This is amazing so happy to hear this!! Don’t you worry you will get your fancy cupboard upgrade soon 😂😂😊
I hate that I found this 30 minutes before my interview but thank you. This helped me calm down
Awww I’m glad it was helpful in calming you down!! Nevertheless, I hope the interview went really well ☺️
I'm coming back here to thank you for the help. I got my PhD offer today as I followed your advice on interviews!
took on your advice from both this vid and your personal statement video and I got the PhD i applied for😁thanks so much
Omg Massive Congratulations to you Laura!! 🎉🍾 this has honestly made my day!! I wish you all the best as you embark on this PhD journey!! 😊😄
Just here to say thank you buddy. I won a PhD studentship. The presentation part I changed my presentation on the eve of my interview to fit your criterion and I am glad I did that. Cheers Sam😊
Thanks for this bro, took your advice and I‘ve just been accepted to a computational neuroscience PhD at UCL. Please keep making content it‘s so needed :)!
Woooow Deji!! Massive congratulations to you!! That’s amazing!! 😊🎉 I want to wish you all the best of luck and success as you embark on this amazing journey! 😊
I do not remember the last time I commented on a video on youtube. I have to now :D, thanks for the video & the vibe. I have an interview tomorrow, wish me luck . lol
You are most welcome wishing you all the best go and smash it! ☺️💪🏾
Thanks for this vid - I've watched quite a few as part of prep for an upcoming PhD interview and just wanted to say this was both the easiest to understand and the most approachable. Thanks!
Amy!! Thank you so much for your kind words I am so happy and pleased you found this helpful. I wish you all the best and success in your upcoming Interview!! You’ve got this!!
Thank you Samuel for sharing such detailed information. I followed your research proposal and this PhD video advice and have been offered a place on the prof. doctorate course I really wanted! ☺️ You are so enthusiastic and motivational ☀️
im applying for phds currently and ive never had an academic interview before, this is the most in depth video ive seen by a long way, thanks so much!
I think your suggestions and answers are soooooooo helpful. I am going to take part in an PhD interview tomorrw, and I am going to follow your tips! Thanks for your detailed suggestion, Samuel. I hope I can manage that!
I'm so glad to hear! I hope your interview went well :)
Thanks for the tips! It was a bit daunting figuring out where to start preparing for interview questions but this really helped give good direction 👍😁
I am glad you found it helpful Jason! I wish you all the best of luck in your interview! You've got this!!
You are amazing!! thank you sooo much! my interview is next week and I hope it will be like yours at Cambridge as they said is informal!! Xx
Thank you so much for your kind words and support, it means a lot to me. I wish you all the best of luck for your interview. I’m sure you will be fine just relax and speak with confidence! 😊
Amazing video, many thanks for the great tips!
You have such a happy energy!😃
Thanks for your help! Congratulations for your PhD!
Thank you very much 😊
Thanks for the video. I got some useful hints, especially those questions about why not to stay at your own lab, and the number of programs you applied for!
No problem at all Yegane, those are very tricky questions but it’s always good to be as honest as much as possible. All the best 😊
This is so helpful and adds to the prep I've already done. Thank you for all your tips!
You are welcome Faith I wish you all the best 😊
@@SamuelDada Thank you ☺️
Thank you so much Samuel Dada for these important tips. The honesty with which you talk, I can easily imagine myself becoming your friend. You are such a kind and pure hearted person. ❤
Wooooow thank you so much this means the world to me! Really appreciate it!
Thank you for sharing interview experience! I am about to have my Cambridge visiting phd student interview next week. I found your video at bilibili and the content is translated into Chinese also. Don't know whether it's permitted by you or not. Come to your channel supporting you! Keep it on man!
Thank you very much Wei! Truly appreciate this message! 😊
Hello Samuel! Thanks for your video :D I'm having my interview next week! Thanks for your tips.
You are more than welcome!! I wish you all the best at your interview! 😊☺️
You're are amazing. Thank you for this video
Salem Salem thank you so much for your kind words I’m glad you found it helpful! 😁
Thanks so much for this video! I've got my Cambridge interview next week, hope it goes well! I also have another interview where I have to read a paper before, I was wondering what kind of questions they asked you when you had to read a paper too? Thanks!
Really enjoyed this video, thanks for the amazing advice 👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾
Thank you! I’m so happy you found this helpful Candice 😊
So amazing!!! Thank you :D
watchingvideosallday thank you 😁
I have an MPhil interview in 2days. I find these tips very insightful!
I feel happy coming across this post. I have my interview in two days time.
Good. How did it go? Hope you got it?
@@OladapoOkunmuyide it went well although still expectant.
Thanks for the interview tips!
Love your Channel Sam!!! Keep it up, people will catch up and catch on.
From South Africa x
Lonwabo Makapela Woow Thank you so much Lonwabo!! Really appreciate your support, means a lot to me! ☺️
Thank you so much for this video ! My interview is tomorrow and I feel much more confident with your tips ! ;)
I am so glad! I hope the interview went well
@@SamuelDada Indeed it went well ! I got the PhD studentship ! Many thanks 🤗🤗🤗
This is amazing Massive Congratulations to you!! I wish you all the best of luck and success during your PhD!! 😊🎉
So great!
Love it bro
Many thanks for this ,I have an interview scheduled by this weekend, wish me luck
I wish you all the best of luck and success with all your interviews!! Speak with confidence and believe in yourself and ability!! 😄 go and smash it!! 😊
19:31 that light slip was funny though lol. But that you so much for your information. I hope you're doing well
Interview this weekend! Nervous but excited. Thank you for this!
I wish you all the best!! I’m sure you will be fine 😊
@@SamuelDada I got my acceptance email yesterday!!! 🥲
Thank you so much, Samuel
Great tips.:)
You are so very welcome 😊
Thank you for making this video! I have a PhD interview at Oxford in Environmental Science and although I know it’s not exactly the same this has been very informative so thank you!
so happy to hear that you found it helpful, I really hope your interview went well
@@SamuelDada thank you! I actually just received an offer. Thanks again! :)
@@BloodyBroadcast wooow Jordan that is absolutely incredible!! I am so happy for you!! Massive congratulations!! 🍾🎉 I wish you all the best of luck and success as you embark on this journey 😊
@@SamuelDada thank you so much! And to you for the rest of your PhD! 😌😌
@@BloodyBroadcastwhat's your reaserch in? I'm looking to do an PhD in a similar subject !
Thanks Dada! Preparing for my interview on 21th!
You are welcome!! I wish you all the best in your Interview!! Go and smash it!!
Have an interview in two days. That was very useful. Many thanks 🙏
So happy that you found this helpful. I wish you all the best in your Interview Faisal!! You’ve got this!! 😁
This is was SO SO amazing...
Thank you so much
It’s my pleasure 😊
I've got one for a funded project coming up next week, I'm trying to prepare as much as I can. This had some good tips, thanks!
You are welcome!! I wish you all the best in your Interview!! Make sure you do your research and speak with confidence and boldness! You’ve got this!!
@@SamuelDada So update, I did manage to get the studentship and covid willing I will start in London this September
OMG!! that is incredible!! CONGRATULATIONS!! this is the type of news I love to hear! I am so happy for you!! Hopefully everything should go to plan for the start for your PhD. If you dont mind me asking what course will you be embarking on and which London university will you be attending?
@@SamuelDada Thank you! It's a PhD in Civil Engineering at West London University. Working on carbon reduction during construction.
Thank you so much for such valuable info provided
Glad it was helpful! :)
Thanks for these tips.
Tochukwu Ezenwammadu It’s my pleasure!! All the best in your interviews 😁
Thank you very much!
Hi Samuel! Hope that you're doing well! I just saw your video on PhD interviews and I am preparing to apply for a studentship with UCL (funny enough in public health, so almost epi haha). I wanted to know if you could tell me a bit about your UCL interview specifically. Obviously, every interview with departments won't be identical, but any guidance would be helpful :) great video!
Thank you so much for sharing!
You are so welcome!
Frankly great 👍
Thank you !!
It's me again! :) In case anybody reads this, they asked me two other questions that I wasn't expecting. 1: How do you get to new ideas? 2: What do you know about the lab? I got a little nervous because I didn't know anything about the lab. I was just familiar with the professor herself. But I was well prepared for most of the questions, and the interview went well.
Thank you so much Yegane! This is incredibly help!! I’m so glad to hear that the interview went really well 😊😊
Great and helpful video. Thank you a lot
Glad it was helpful! :)
Thanks. I have my interview after 2 hours. It helped a lot!
I’m so happy you found it helpful. I hope your Interview went well and hope you receive the good news soon! 😉 I wish you all the best!!
@@SamuelDada WAIT you still watching youtube when there is only two hours prior to your interview?
Good tips
Thank you for the tips Dada. =D
You are very welcome Andreza!! 😁
Love it ❤️ cheers from Brazil
Thank you very much!! 😊
thank you
great content so helpful!
Thank you Melek!! ☺️
You’re very impressive. Great video
Thank you so much Cardi! I truly appreciate it 😊
You are a wonderful person. The way you speak and convey everything is so calming and helpful. Even though I am having a PhD interview in Physics soon, your video was very helpful. I hope you have a very successful career and a peaceful joyful life.
Woooow thank you so much! ☺️
Thank you so much I will have soon an informal interview with the professor (not uni it's a research institute) this helped me a lot... so nervous not sure what to expect 🤯🤓
Glad it was helpful!
Informative video. Just completed an MSc in Data Science....hoping to get into a PhD as soon as God allows it.
I wish you all the best as you pursue your PhD. Congratulations on completing your MSc!! 🍾
You have set up ypur room very neatly for this presentation. Good man! Whats that black thingi on door- bure?
😂😂😂😂 Thanks Tasneem!! The door is in visible in the vid so I’m guessing it’s the vent at the bottom you are talking about 😊
Hello Samuel :) Thank you so much for being so humble and enthusiastic in sharing your first-hand advice and tips! :) I wonder whether you got some technical questions during your interview at Cambridge university as well related to chemistry at large or your chosen field of study?
Hi Ivana, thank you so much for you kind words I really and truly appreciate it! My interview was not department based, therefore I didn't receive any chemistry related questions as at that time I hadn't chosen my project. The questions were tailored to my research projects and things or areas I had mentioned in my CV and personal statement. I hope that helps :)
Thank you very much for this helpful video!!
I have an interview in 2 days and I want to ask whoever may help me, I will not give a presentation during my interview because I have not yet done a research work.. so what should I expect as questions and about what exactly ?
Thanks a lot for whoever will help me ^.^
Thank you so much for this video. Please, what do you suggest about the dressing. What's the best to appear in terms of dressing. Thank you in anticipation.
You are welcome, I would suggest smart casual, but I will say its important to wear something you will feel comfortable in cause its a stressful process :) All the best.
thank you!
You're welcome!
You’re amazing ❤ thank you for this video! I have an interview coming up and I’m so nervous! Will they consider that I’m not living in an English speaking country? And please can you help me how to answer: how you’re planning to fund your phd? “I’m looking for a scholarship opportunity “
Hey Sam, thanks for this video! I have a question about what you’ve mentioned in the clip; talking about weaknesses. You said something about skills for using analytical tools in which training courses were provided at the univ. In my case, one of the requirements of the phd position is a good knowledge in multivariate analysis. Unfortunately, this is the weak point of me because I don’t have much experience in quantitative analysis. Although I do have general understanding of it (eg. I can understand the results of such analysis in articles), I don’t know how to use sas or r program to run an analysis for example. Do you think I should mention this, where I am at and what I am doing/will do to compensate my weakness? I think it is critical skill for the project so I’m a bit concerned cuz I really want the job. Plz give me your advice and I’m sure it would be very helpful. Thank you and have a great summer
Hi Freya, that’s a very good question. My position on it is that you should always be honest when it come to this like this. However, bearing in mind that the PhD programme requires you to have good analytical skills and to me it looks core to the PhD, I wouldn’t highlight that’s as my weakness at all, I would pick something else. But if they do ask you about you analysis I would be honest but it a more positive manner. “ I have a good basic understanding of this analytical tool and can apply it to my research, but I have still learning and developing my knowledge on how to get the most out of this toolkit” something along those lines, because at the end of the day data programme are continually evolving so there’s always something new to learn! I hope this helps and all the best in your interview, approach it with confidence
Thanks Samuel 🤗
About to have an interview this week, nerve racking
Crystal I hope your interview went well 😊
Got a NERC interview at Imperial tomorrow, hopefully the notes I've made on this help
Hope your interview went well 😊
@@SamuelDada Yeah thanks to this video, I had a solid prepared answer for some of the questions but still got that sinking feeling last night that I should've mentioned more.
So helpful. Thank you 😊
Glad it was helpful!
@@SamuelDada I have received the offer from Oxford. I'm sending my thanks to you 😗
@@liwensong8037 woooow that is incredible!! Congratulations!! 🎉🎉🍾🍾 well done on all your hard work!! I wish you all the best of luck and success as you embark on your PhD journey! 😊☺️
Hi Samuel! I just got to know about your channel, thanks for this insightful video. Please do you have any idea of the Ph.D. interview questions to expect at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine? Thanks in advance.
Hi Melody, unfortunately I don't, just make sure you prepare for the basic and generic questions and ace them :)
Thanks for the video and the valuable advice.
Also, what is the music?
No problem at all!! 😊 the music is Bass Meets Bach - Prelude in C Major by J.S Bach (performed by Tribal) 😊🤗
I have interview in less than 6 hours. Thank you for the video.
not a problem at all I really hope the interview went well
Hi! This is Jianan. This video is really really helpful since I am currently applying for the programme at UCL and Imperial. I was just wondering the interviews happened before or after the online application? Were you invited to some informal interviews before the formal online application? Thank you very much!!
Hi Jianan, typically it depends on if you are applying for an Icase or a direct PhD project typically I would schedule a meeting with the PI to have an informal chat before the official application, but with PhD programmes or DTP, CDT..... interviews happen after online applications. I hope that helps, all the best for your PhD application to UCL :)
@@SamuelDada Thank you so much for replying to me. This helps me timely. Have a lovely day :D
Have my interview tomorrow. Trying not to overthink this which I think is actually my weakness! lol
I hope your interview went well :)
Hi Samuel, I am invited to direct phd program and I am so nervous. Should I prepare a PowerPoint explaining my B.sc thesis which was a review article? What an undergrad should prepare for a direct phd? Will I do fine? 😢
Thanks for the tips. Mine is coming up in a week time.
Not a problem Tukur!! I wish you all the best of luck and success in you interview next week. Be confident in yourself and abilities!!
It went well. I hope I'll be congratulated in few weeks time.
It was more of technical questions about my previous research experience and what approach I will use to carry out the PhD research.
Hi Tukur! I am so happy to hear that it went well, I hope you have received the good news by now.
Guess what? I won it! an iCASE BBSRC DTP studentship!
Please what are the possible interview questions on your proposal?
I'm having my interview in a few days. Wish me luck :)
I wish you all the best of Luck and success during your interview! Go in with confidence and smash it!!💪🏾😊
Hi Sam, I have a PhD interview coming up- what advice would you give around presenting recent research? I have been asked to give a max ten minute presentation
Hi Bronwen! Massive Congratulations on obtaining a PhD interview!! Oh the good old presentation, my advice to you would be to focus on one research topic that you are passionate about, a previous or current research area/topic that you feel will be able to highlight your research knowledge and expertise. Keep it brief and very general so it is easy to follow, except the field of research is related to the proposed PhD. For a 10 min presentation, I went about it by having 8 slides. A title slide off course, 2 slides with the background and highlight the importance of the research and what has been previously done and aims and objectives, 2 slides demonstrating my methodology and research methods and why that methodology was chosen, 2 slides with my most significant results not all of my results, in addition to a summary and the last slide is future work which I planned to conduct to improve the knowledge of my current research, which is very important and often forgotten as this highlights what you are keeping up with the progressive nature of the research field. Also, do be scared to highlight where things didn't go to plan and where you had to alter or change your experimental methods as it shows you possess the ability to troubleshoot. I hope this has been helpful, if you have any more question please feel free to ask me. Also, I just realised I have been very scientific about this, apologies if you are not in the science field. All the best of luck!! Be confident, you have got this !! :)
@@SamuelDada Thank you so much - that is super helpful advice!
I LOVE INTERVIEWS (hoping if I keep saying it, it will come true).
Hi Sam, thanks for this video I’ve picked up a few tips, I am facing an interview panel next week for a PhD studentship, any further tips on how to go about presenting my proposal? And any particular questions to look out for? Thank you
(Edit)
I got Phd studentship, the panel interview consisted of 4 people 🎉🎉 praise God!
Thank you for this video, it helped as well!
OMG THIS IS AMAZING NEWS!!! Massive congratulations on the PhD studentship and all your hard work! I wish you all the success whilst you undertake your PhD
Congratulations for your PhD and thank you for these helpful videos.. Please could you give me some ideas about what should I ask them as you said I have to prepare questions for them and I have no idea what to ask? I am looking forward to hearing back from you.
Regards
Thank you very much and congratulations to you to on getting the interview. In terms of questions for them i would prepare at least two.
- Is the university or department likely to run any events or other associated projects during the period of my PhD?
- What kind of training and skills sessions are offered as part of the PhD programme?
- Will I have opportunities to teach ?
I hope this helps :)
@@SamuelDada seriously, I can ask these questions? Did you ask them these questions? As I am frightening now from the list of names that going to interview me, besides, I have to prepare a ppt for 5 minutes..
Yes, I asked the 2nd and 3rd questions during my interview :) and don't be nervous be confident in the knowledge that you have and your abilities. Here is a link to the presentation I gave at my interviews if you want ones as a guide :) docs.google.com/presentation/d/1BOuFv3-DmJww7UqEChRy1HOTiKf5FQezNL7ND2n1uFk/edit?usp=sharing
I wish you all the best as you prepare :)
@@SamuelDada thank you very much, this is so generous of you.. But I couldn't open it, it request access cod
@@dr.raghdaal_najjar8448 I have given you access now!! 😊 so you should be able to see it
Have my PhD interview coming up in Cambridge Next week :) wish me luck.
chris I wish you all the best Chris!! Relax, be calm and confident and it will all go well 😉😁
@@SamuelDada Thanks man!
Only just gone and done it! :D see you in Cambridge in October.
chris OMG CHRIS!! 🎉🎉🎉 massive Congratulations!! Extremely happy for you!! Can’t wait to see you in October. What college did you choose and what are you going to be studying ?? 😁
@@SamuelDada Thanks bro, Jesus College and Immunology.
@stodada did you have any unusal questions during your PhD interview?
I am leaving one PhD and got an interview call for new PhD. How do I justify this? Many thanks in advance. I am leaving PhD because of change in objectives when I joined PhD...
Hey Sam,
I have an interview tomorrow and I got your channel Toady. Im asking what paper I should select from the perspective supervisor papers to analyze and discuss it with him?
Hi Fatema I think you should pick either the most recent paper or one of the papers you found interesting. I would pick a paper you found interesting because you will be better able to convey your interest better. I wish you all the best at the interview! Be confident in your ability and knowledge and it will be all fine!! ☺️
@@SamuelDada Thank you very much. ❤️
Hi Sam, I did well in my interview. Only thing I'm wondering about it. The supervisor he said the application is now open until January for there phd programs application... I didn't understand him. If he accepted me and I can mention him name when I am fill the application form. 🤔
Yes that makes sense so what it means is that you have to do is apply for the programme and then when you apply you write his name down as your proposed supervisor if you get on the programme and I guess during the programme interview you can say his name as you supervisor. I hope this is a bit more clear. You can ask him what PhD programme he would like you to apply for. I’m guessing the problem is that the supervisor does not have the funding to independently sponsor you!
Thanks bro. lets conne ct bro
Did you get lots of interview requests and did you turn any of the interview requests down? I'm a bit worried about filling up my January and not having much time to prepare for each interview properly (plus exams rip)
I did apply to a lot of places and did get invited to most of the places I applied for but I was really fortunate that Cambridge was my first interview and I accepted that place. But I had 2 more interviews after that but had several lined up which I rejected. My advice is to apply to all the places you are really interested in and prepare accordingly as they come.
@@SamuelDada hello! Thank you for your advice! I'm going to be starting my PhD in Biochemistry at Cambridge in October!!
Hi Dada, please I have a question to ask based on my Ph.D. programmed studentship.
Frank content 👌
Thank you so much :)
Hello Sam, this is quite helpful. Please grant me access to your ppt. Thank you
Hi sam thanks for the video. Could you please help with the PPT. It would go a long way. Thank you very much.
Not a problem! I have given you access now :)
Thank you very much, I have seen it.
Hi Samuel.
I have an interview coming up from Sussex.
Do they ask questions on your proposal?
Swati Mishra Hi Swati!! Massive congratulations on obtaining an interview place!!! Yes certainly questions will definitely be asked of your PhD proposal mostly on the relevance and justification on the current importance and significance in society! All the best in your interview!! Feel free to ask more questions if you have any 🙂
Hi Swati,would it be possible for you to share the questions that you were asked?
hey Sam! can i ask how many programs/projects you applied to altogether?
Hey Nicola received your email will reply as soon as possible, I made 11 applications in total in 2019 and received interview request from all
hey! just thought i’d give a small update. i managed to get a fully funded PhD position at UCL starting this year! your videos and tips have helped me so much so i want to say a massive thank you!
@@byeolight omg!! This is amazing news!! Massive congratulations to you!! I wish you all the best as you embark on your PhD journey at UCL!! 😊🎉🍾
Please i have a PhD interview with my potential supervisor next month October, can u help me with any questions and answers on Mental Health PHD program in Canada
interview in 4 days wish me luck
Hey Samuel nice video! Can you please share your slides which your prepared for the interview?
Thank you. Are you referring to the slides I created for my 5 minutes presentation for the interview?
Samuel Dada yes.I have an interview coming up where I have been told by my prospective supervisor that I would have 5 minutes at the start for a self introduction, such as my graduation degree in which area, skillset, and R&D projects you completed and are involved.
Does this count as a presentation and should I make slides? I am confused and don’t know what to do
A J Personally I would send an email to clarify, as that will ease the stress. But I will share my presentation with you just have to request permission
Samuel Dada Thank you soo much! Request permission on which site? Instagram?
A J i will send the link on here tomorrow 😉