Boston University Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences
Boston, MA
Psychology Schools | Public For-Profit
Going on an interview at BU-PSY? 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 above all other schools.
How do you rank this school among other schools to which you've applied?
Most respondents rank this school above 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 the applicant's research interests, past work, desired mentorship, future research goals, alignment with the program's research focus, and reasons for choosing the specific institution like BU. These questions indicate a focus on research, fit with the program, and the applicant's motivations.
-
What are you interested in?
-
What have you been working on in the past?
-
What kind of mentor are you looking for?
-
Do you feel like your research interests match the lab's?
-
What do you see yourself researching in the future?
What was the most interesting question?
Students said most interesting question asked at Boston University Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences discussed personal experiences with mental health issues and motivations for pursuing the field.
-
whether anyone close to me has any serious mental health problems
-
Why are you interested in this area?
What was the most difficult question?
Students said most difficult question asked at Boston University Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences discussed various topics such as career interests alignment with labs, writing a dissertation thesis sentence, commitment to being a clinician, and preferences for sub-areas. Additionally, if respondents mentioned MMI or nondisclosure, it indicates that the interview may have been in an MMI format with potential confidentiality agreements in place.
-
What do you think you want to work on? I found it difficult because there are lots of things I'm interested in, and I know they're basing decisions at this point on the best fit, and you really want to make sure that you sound like you fit the lab.
-
Write the thesis sentence to your dissertation.
-
A trick question about how badly I want to be a full-time clinician
-
Is this sub area your first love?
🤝 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 5 or more 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 an open 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 Other personnel
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 0-1 hour traveling to the interview.
What was your primary mode of travel?
Most respondents traveled by train or subway to the interview.
About how much did you spend on room, food, and travel?
Most respondents spent less than $100.
What airport did you fly into?
Respondents who flew to the interview generally used Boston Logan International Airport (BOS)
-
BOS
Where did you stay?
Most respondents stayed either With students at the school or with students at the school.
What is the name of the hotel you stayed in?
-
Sheraton Boston
How would you rate the hotel?
Most respondents rated their hotel as good.
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 moderately responsive.
How did you prepare for the interview?
Applicants commonly prepared for the interview by conducting research on the professors, reading papers and articles related to the program, and speaking to current or former students for insights and advice. This thorough preparation helped them gain a deeper understanding of the program and the faculty, enabling them to make a strong impression during the interview.
-
Read papers, read about professors interests
-
Reading over articles, BU's website
-
Read papers by POI, looked at website.
-
read articles, spoke to current and former students
What impressed you positively?
Applicants were positively impressed by the supportive and friendly environment among students, the quality and variety of practicum options, the program's laid-back attitude, high stipend, impressive faculty, and the fantastic location. Additionally, many expressed appreciation for the genuine and nice demeanor of students, as well as being impressed by the research conducted by their potential advisers.
-
Students liked each other, impressed by practicum options, laid back attitude, high stipend. Great location and impressive faculty.
-
Students were nice, but not in the fake overenthusaistic way. The program generally impressed me.
-
Location is fantastic. Some of the grad students were very nice.
-
The research of my POI
What impressed you negatively?
Applicants were consistently disappointed by the lack of interest and engagement from professors and faculty during their visit. They also felt that there was a competitive and stressful atmosphere, with little opportunity for interaction with current students to gain meaningful insights about the program. Suggestions include improving faculty engagement, creating a more welcoming and supportive environment, and providing more opportunities for applicants to interact with current students.
-
Some profs didn't seem super interested.
-
The students weren't happy at all.
-
Faculty seemed uninterested in applicants. There was no discussion of the actual program, so applicants learned very little beyond what the website says. The atmosphere was also very competitive, there were a lot of applicants in a small area and just fueled the competitive environment. Very little interaction with current grad students. Only grad students around to talk seemed negative about the program.
-
I asked a current student about the quality of life of students at BU and he said, ''quality of life is such a murky construct.'' Red flag!!
-
Students seemed VERY overworked & stressed. This program seems very oriented towards the business side of clinical...ie assessment etc. It struck me as a very machine like program. There was no campus tour...in fact I didn't even really see the campus as the clinical building is located on the edge.
What did you wish you had known ahead of time?
Many applicants wished they had known more about the specific professors they would be meeting with during the interview process and felt that the program can seem more corporate than academic. Additionally, some emphasized the importance of understanding the clinical work requirements early on, especially involving the CARD program.
-
That I wasn't interviewing with one of the professors that I was originally was supposed to meet with.
-
Can feel like a corporation rather than a school.
-
I was aware of most things ahead of time. Spoke to many students prior to interviewing.
-
30 hrs per week required clinical work if you are working with a prof in the CARD program. Starting 2nd semester of your 1st year.
What are your general comments?
Applicants generally praised the program's balance between clinical work and research, structured curriculum, and generous stipends. Some expressed concerns about the interview experience feeling corporate rather than academic, and variability in stress levels depending on the interviewer.
-
It seems like a fantastic program that balances clinical work and research. They also have a very structured program in terms of classes and clinical experience and most of the advisers don't micromanage, which I find a definite plus. The stipends are probably some of the best you will encounter anywhere.
-
The interviews were ok, and not too high stress but I think this depends on who you interview with. The whole day felt very corporate, rather than a school vibe.
What are your suggestions for the admissions office?
No responses
Success!
School has been added to your favorites.