I applied online. I interviewed at Arizona State University
Accepted offer
Positive experience
Average interview
Application
I applied through university. The process took 3 days. I interviewed at Arizona State University (Tempe, AZ) in Apr 2010
Interview
Extremely hectic schedule, 7 interviews (30 minutes, each) with renowned Faculty/Scientists. Its a good idea to read professional interests of interviewers prior to the interview day if possible so as to have interesting scientific conversations with them. Most interviewers were laid-back realizing candidates might be nervous, and were kind enough to provide a decent introduction of their areas of interest. It's always a good idea to have a couple questions ready per interviewer in advance.
They flew me out for an on-campus visit. The interview(s) consisted of casual meetings with most of the faculty and some time spent with other graduate students. I'm not sure if it was valuable to put candidates through a gauntlet-style round of 30-minute conversations covering many of the same topics when these could have been done as small group meetings, affording the time for more substantive discussions and experience on campus.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
Typically asked very basic things about my area of research interest, interest in ASU, interest in pursuing graduate research.
The process took 1 day. I interviewed at Arizona State University
Interview
This was just a phone screen. So the first part was the introduction of the profile and work the team does. Then the interviewers went in to say that it is going to be theoretical ones. All the questions were about the solid mechanics, dynamics, and materials science. They were very nice.
I applied online. The process took 5 months. I interviewed at Arizona State University
Interview
I applied online as many advanced educated Chinese back in China. There is no interview at all. We submitted a package of material including CV, personal statement, transcripts, certificate, GRE score report, TOEFL score report, etc.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
No questions asked, just waiting waiting and waiting. The difficulty is ASU is not as I expected from a US research university.