Hello all,

I'm in the PhD application process and I've been called for an interview at a red brick university. I did my MA at a less prestigious, younger university and I'm sure I'll be asked why I did not choose to stay there for a PhD. The answer to this question is really vague in my mind, or at least not something that I can explain honestly in the interview. I do not wish and mean to say they lacked the expertise and saying that the applied university is so great and unique in the area sounds too cheesy and "just for a change of location" doesn't do it either. I feel absolutely daft for having such a question unsolved in my mind, but would welcome suggestions.

Thanks a lot and happy holidays to all!

leaf

Hey Leaf! It's not really unusual to change uni for your PhD, so I wouldn't stress too much about this question. I think the best thing would be not to slate your original university, but to concentrate on why you want to do your PhD at this particular university, with these particular people. Most people choose their PhD and place of study according to enthusiasm for the specific topic, reputation of the potential supervisors, similar interests to potential supervisors, overall reputation of the department and uni etc. It would probably be good to find out who is interviewing you and to swot up a bit on their research, so that you can sound knowledgeable (and enthusiastic) about the topic, work out how your interests would fit in with theirs, tell them why you are keen to work with them (but without going hideously over the top!) and so on. I don't think it will be seen as a bad thing at all that you are looking at going to a different uni, so don't worry about it too much! Good luck with the interview- let us know how it goes! KB

I'd just like to second what KB says, and also to emphasise the point that you need to get over your fear of being cheesy! I know you don't want to gush embarassingly, but you do need to sound like you think the uni you're applying to is THE place to be as far as your research goes. I can't imagine why anyone would ask you why you didn't just stay put to do your PhD - why would you? - but they WILL want to know why you want to study in their department above all others. So that's the answer you need to have prepared.

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yeh , i don't think that is a big issue.

you can just say I like this project and I can not find it in my university.
or you can say i read your paper about ... and although i didn't understand most of it, but it intrigued me and i like to learn more about it by doing research in this area.

Ok and without sounding "cheesy" i think it is always good to change a place, it is advisable actually not to stay in the same place, because changing location will give you the chance to experience new things, learn about a different university and create a wider network, going to another place is always a challenging experience which expand your horizons and abilities, open the door for new possibilities.

you can say I would like to change environment.
good luck
(robin)

Thank you Keenbean, Magictime and Someone3 for all very helpfull replies. You know, it is just one of the questions that I was a bit concerned about if I could handle well, for the obvious reasons but I agree with all the comments. It doesn't feel that stressful anymore, anyway. I do think that particular university is indeed the place to be and I've got loads of reasons (now that I can think :)). That should be enough not to worry.
And KB, I'll definitely give a small report about how it went here. :)
Thanks and good luck to y'all!

Leaf.