I have a PhD interview tomorrow (biochemical-related) and due to my being utterly useless, I've done very little preparation!

I have the rest of the evening and tomorrow morning to learn enough to make it sounds like I know what I'm doing. Does anyone have any suggestions/advice? Or is it basicaly a lost cause?

:(

no its not and dont worry if you dont know that much about the PhD title they ususally dont ask too many specific questions. Just be prepared to talk about any projects that you have done in the past not in great detail but just u know the general backround methodology results you obtained and any improvments you would make. Other than that you should also be prepared to answer questions about why you want to do the PhD and a PhD in general and maybe your career aspirations. I hope this helps.

Dont worry you will be find. Best of luck

And dont forget to smile a lot, seem relaxed, and personable. Obviously charm isn't going to go all the way to getting you the place - but wanting to work with you will help give you an edge over the competition when it comes to choosing between candidates.

Eye contact, eye contact, eye contact! Obviously, you do not want to stare people down, but you do want to look at the person doing the nterview as they ask questions and as you answer, and if there is more than one person in the room, be sure to acknowledge them, by looking at them from time to time as you answer, even if they were not the one who asked the question. Especially if they were not the one who asked the question. Deep breathing really does help calm nerves and steady the voice, smiling, thanking them for the opportunity to interview, etc, all important. I don't know if the etiquette is the same as a job interview, should you send a thank you letter as a follow up? Maybe others on here have a better idea about that than me.

make sure you have a good answer for when they ask why you picked that particular project and/or why you think you're suited for it. I've had quite a few PhD interview, some very informal (which i prefered) and some very formal where they questioned me on all sorts of aspects of my previous research including why we chose particular methods. Best preparation would be to make sure you really know your previous project (amazing what you forget in a few months even after handing it in)

good luck

Thanks guys, I got the PhD! :)

Congratulations!

Lycka till! Good luck!

Well done! Im so happy for you

I guess you get hold of the latest publications of your potential supervisors. Read them, form an opinion of them and be ready to critique and discuss them. But be willing to say there were things you didn't understand or quite get in the papers especially if they are quite technical or in an area you are not familiar with - just demonstrate that you have read them and are interested in them. They'll be looking for enthusiasm, genuine interest and potential as much as for your current level of knowledge and understanding. Also, in discussing any piece of research, remember its important to be critical, understand its limitations and alternative ways of looking at things.

This thread is 3 years old, Squigglies is probably about to start his/her 3rd year! :p