American University College of Arts & Sciences
Washington, DC
Psychology Schools | Public For-Profit
Going on an interview at AU? Add your feedback to help others!
⭐ Overall Impressions ▼
How did the interview impress you?
Most respondents were neutral about their interview.
What was the stress level of the interview?
Most respondents rated their interview as average stress.
How you think you did?
Most respondents thought they performed well at the interview.
How do you rank this school among ALL other schools?
Most respondents rank this school as average compared to other schools.
How do you rank this school among other schools to which you've applied?
Most rank this school as average compared to other schools they applied to.
0 = Below, 10 = Above
💬 Interview Questions ▼
What is one of the specific questions they asked you?
The most commonly asked interview questions at medical schools include inquiries about prior interview locations, other schools applied to, research experience, study design considerations like controlling for confounding variables, motivations for choosing the specific school, anticipated challenges in graduate school, and personal reflections on potential obstacles. While some respondents mentioned questions related to the MMI format or nondisclosure agreements, most responses focused on research experience and personal motivations.
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Where else have you received interviews?
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How would you alter the study to control for this confounding variable?
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What other schools did you apply to?
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Mainly questions about my research experience etc
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What do you think would be the biggest challenge about grad school?
What was the most interesting question?
Students said most interesting question asked at American University College of Arts & Sciences discussed altering a treatment program with a specific budget allocation. The interview format may have been an MMI based on other responses 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
What was the most difficult question?
Students said most difficult question asked at American University College of Arts & Sciences discussed revolved around study methods and criteria for selecting applications and defining success in grad school.
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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?
🤝 Interview Format and Logistics ▼
How long was the interview?
Most respondents had an interview of 20 - 30 minutes.
How many people interviewed you?
Most respondents were interviewed by 3 people.
What was the style of the interview?
Most respondents had a one-on-one interview.
What type of interview was it?
Most respondents had a closed file interview.
Was this interview in-person or virtual?
Most respondents had a virtual interview.
Data includes both pre- and post-COVID interviews.
No responses
Where did the interview take place?
Most respondents were interviewed at the school.
📍 On-Site Experience ▼
Who was the tour given by?
Tours were most commonly given by a Student
How did the tour guide seem?
Most tour guides were enthusiastic about the school.
How do you rank the facilities?
Most respondents rank the facilities as above average.
What is your in-state status?
Most respondents rank the facilities as below average.
What were your total hours spent traveling?
Most respondents spent 4-6 hours traveling to the interview.
What was your primary mode of travel?
Most respondents traveled by airplane to the interview.
About how much did you spend on room, food, and travel?
Most respondents spent between $201 and $300.
What airport did you fly into?
Respondents who flew to the interview generally used Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)
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Reagan
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Dulles
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DCA
Where did you stay?
Most respondents stayed either Friends or family or with friends or family.
What is the name of the hotel you stayed in?
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Affinity Hotel
How would you rate the hotel?
Most respondents rated their hotel as average
0 = Bad, 10 = Great
Would you recommend the hotel?
Most respondents would recommend their hotel.
What is your ranking of this school's location?
Most respondents rate the school location as good.
0 = Bad, 10 = Great
What is your ranking of this area's cultural life?
Most respondents rate the area’s cultural life as good.
0 = Bad, 10 = Great
What are your comments on where you stayed?
No responses
✅ Interview Preparation and Impressions ▼
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.
How did you prepare for the interview?
Applicants commonly prepared for the interview by reading articles related to the program or research, practicing potential interview questions, researching the institution, developing a list of questions to ask, and even participating in mock interviews to simulate the real experience. These strategies helped them gain a better understanding of the program and demonstrate their interest and readiness during the interview.
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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 impressed you positively?
Applicants were consistently impressed by the program's strong clinical focus, availability of clinical training, and the enthusiastic and supportive atmosphere fostered by both faculty and students. They also appreciated the non-competitive environment and the opportunity to start working with clients early on in the program.
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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 expressed concerns about disorganization during interviews, lack of emphasis on evidence-based treatments, limited funding opportunities and resources, and unattractive facilities. Suggestions included improving communication between faculty, enhancing focus on evidence-based practices, ensuring equitable funding distribution, and upgrading program facilities.
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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 wished they had known not to bother with certain aspects, the attitude towards certain topics in clinical training, the availability of active labs with professors, and the types of questions that would be asked during the 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
What are your general comments?
Applicants appreciated the strong research opportunities with faculty but expressed concerns about the translation to clinical training. Despite nerves during the interview, applicants enjoyed the school visit due to the welcoming faculty, staff, and 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
What are your suggestions for the admissions office?
Applicants commonly suggest improving communication and providing interview schedules 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)
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