American University College of Arts & Sciences Interview Feedback Summary
Washington, DC
Psychology Schools | Public For-Profit
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⭐ Overall Impressions ▼
SDN Interview Experience Score
6.3
Mixed
Mixed experience; organization and communication appear average with varied impressions and occasional stress.
Based on 33 responses
Score Reference:
9–10 Exceptional
8–8.9 Very Good
7–7.9 Good
6–6.9 Mixed
< 6 Needs Improvement
The SDN Interview Experience Score (SIES) is a composite metric that represents applicants overall impressions of their interview experience, based on multiple factors such as professionalism, facilities, responsiveness, and stress levels.
What was the stress level of the interview?
Most respondents rated their interview as average stress.
How do you rank this school among ALL other schools?
Most respondents rank this school as average compared to other schools.
How did the interview impress you?
Most respondents were neutral about their interview.
Positively (67%)
Negatively (33%)
How you think you did?
Most respondents thought they performed well at the interview.
Great (20%)
Good (20%)
Average (60%)
What are your general comments?
Applicants generally appreciate the strong research opportunities with faculty but express a desire for improved clinical training. They also highlight positive experiences during the interview process, noting the welcoming and supportive nature of the faculty, staff, and current students.
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Great research with the faculty on ESTs, but that does not translate to the clinical training.
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Overall, I really did enjoy the school and the experience of visiting it. It was a nerve-wracking experience just because it was an interview - but the faculty, staff, and current students were so nice, that it made the overall experience very enjoyable
💬 Interview Process ▼
Length, number, and type of interviews
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Length:
35 Minutes Average
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Number:
3.3 Interviews Average
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Interview Type (Interaction):
100% One-on-One
0% Group Interview
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File Type:
20% Open-File
80% Closed-File
AU-COMP interviews are an average of 35 minutes, with an average of 3.3 interviews. 100% of interviews are one-on-one, and 80% are closed-file.
What is one of the specific questions they asked you?
The most commonly asked interview questions at medical schools include inquiries about the applicant's interview history, other schools applied to, and reasons for choosing a specific institution. Additionally, some respondents may have participated in an MMI format interview and been subject to a nondisclosure agreement regarding specific questions asked.
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Where else have you received interviews?
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What other schools did you apply to?
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Why AU?
What was the most interesting question?
Students said most interesting question asked at American University College of Arts & Sciences discussed altering a specific institution's treatment program with a given amount of dollars. It appears that the interview may have been in an MMI format with a nondisclosure agreement in place based on the limited information provided.
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If you were given _____ amount of dollars how would you alter a specific institution's treatment program?
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None that I can remember
How did you prepare for the interview?
Applicants commonly prepared for the interview by reading articles related to the field, practicing potential interview questions, researching the organization or school, and conducting mock interviews to simulate the experience. Additionally, they emphasized the importance of developing a list of questions to ask during the interview to demonstrate interest and engagement.
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Read articles
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Practiced potential interview questions, read POI's research articles, researched pros and cons of school in advance. Developed list of questions to ask school and current grad students.
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Read articles by profs, had a mock interview
What was the most difficult question?
Students said most difficult question asked at American University College of Arts & Sciences discussed were related to study methods and criteria for application selection in grad school. These questions aimed to evaluate candidates' study strategies, decision-making skills, and understanding of success criteria in academic pursuits.
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How would you study that? Walk me through it, from start to finish.
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What would you use as criteria for narrowing down applications, and how would you operationally define success in grad school?
What impressed you positively?
Applicants were positively impressed by the strong clinical focus of the program, the supportive and approachable faculty, the early exposure to clients, the camaraderie among students, and the emphasis on clinical training. Additionally, they appreciated the low stress environment and the enthusiasm shown by both students and professors.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Dr. Carter. And the program seemed clinically strong. Various therapeutic perspectives. You begin seeing clients first year. Some of the cohort seemed close.
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The faculty were all fantastic and were very down to earth.
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Students seemed at ease and very satisfied with the program. Their stress level seemed relatively low. The program is non-competitive amongst current students.
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Professors and grad students were nice and friendly
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Students and professors were very enthusiastic about the program, emphasized availability of clinical training.
What impressed you negatively?
Applicants were negatively impressed by disorganization during the interview process, lack of emphasis on evidence-based treatments in clinical work, limited funding opportunities for students, inadequate facilities and program space, and inconvenient location. Suggestions included improving organization during interviews, emphasizing evidence-based treatments, ensuring funding for all students, enhancing facilities, and providing better transportation options.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Their disorganization. I was not scheduled to interview with one POI, while the other mentor I interviewed with had no idea I wanted to work with him. After hearing I did, he didn't even acknowledge it. He just made a face and never asked a pertinent follow-up question, like "Why?" or "Well, what are your research interests?" Overall, I felt deceived and injured by their invitation to interview, when clearly no one there had any interest in me as a candidate. I hope others have a different experience, and that admissions becomes more mindful in the future.
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The responses of the students to questions about clinical work. There was no emphasis on ESTs.
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Only a portion of the students receive funding. Not all professors run an active lab and therefore not all students have office space. The facilities and program space weren't very attractive. The university is somewhat inconvenient to reach by public transportation.
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Nothing that I can remember
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A little casual?
What did you wish you had known ahead of time?
Applicants commonly expressed a desire for better understanding of the importance of certain aspects of the application process, such as the relevance of specific training and the expectations of professors. They also wished for more insight into the types of questions that would be asked during the application process.
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Not to bother
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The attitude toward EST in the clinical training
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Not all profs have an active lab.
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Some of the questions that they would ask
🤝 Campus and Facilities ▼
How do you rank the facilities?
Most respondents rank the facilities as above average.
How would you rate the Location and Cultural Life?
0 = Low, 10 = High
How is the friendliness of the admissions office?
Most respondents said the admissions office was friendly.
How is the responsiveness of the admissions office?
Most respondents said the admissions office was responsive.
What are your suggestions for the admissions office?
Applicants commonly suggested improving communication and providing the interview schedule in advance, especially for faculty interviews.
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Communication seems sketchy.
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Provide the interview schedule before the interview date if possible (specifically re: faculty interviews)
📍 Travel and Logistics ▼
Airports Used
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Reagan
50% interviewees used Reagan (Reagan), with 25% using DCA (DCA) and 25% using Dulles (Dulles).
What was your primary mode of transportation?
Most interviewees traveled by airplane to the interview.
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67% Airplane
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17% Automobile
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17% Train or Subway
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0% Other
Hotels Recommended by Other Interviewees
Most interviewees stayed at the Affinity Hotel (average ranking 6/10). (Top 1 displayed)
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Affinity Hotel
6/10
What was the cost and time spent traveling?
Cost: Low Cost to High Cost
What is your in-state status?
Most respondents are out of state students.
Where did you stay?
Most respondents stayed either Friends or family or with friends or family.
Who was the tour given by?
Tours were most commonly given by a Student
Student (100%)
How did the tour guide seem?
Most tour guides were enthusiastic about the school.
Enthusiastic (83%)
Neutral (17%)
All Responses
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