Boston University Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences Interview Feedback Summary
Boston, MA
Psychology Schools | Public For-Profit
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⭐ Overall Impressions ▼
SDN Interview Experience Score
6.0
Mixed
Mixed experience; organization and communication appear average with varied impressions and occasional stress.
Based on 26 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.
How do you rank the facilities?
Most respondents rank the facilities as above average.
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
What is your ranking of this school's location?
Most respondents rate the school location as good.
0 = Bad, 10 = Great
How is the friendliness of the admissions office?
Most respondents said the admissions office was friendly.
What is your ranking of this area's cultural life?
Most respondents rate the area’s cultural life as good.
0 = Bad, 10 = Great
How is the responsiveness of the admissions office?
Most respondents said the admissions office was moderately responsive.
💬 Interview Questions ▼
What is one of the specific questions they asked you?
Medical school applicants commonly reported being asked about their research interests, future research goals, and to provide a sentence from their potential dissertation. The responses did not indicate an MMI format or mention of nondisclosure agreements.
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What are you interested in?
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What do you see yourself researching in the future?
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Write the first sentence of your dissertation right now.
What was the most interesting question?
Students said most interesting question asked at Boston University Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences discussed personal connections to mental health issues and motivations for interest in the field, suggesting a focus on personal experiences and professional motivations during interviews.
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whether anyone close to me has any serious mental health problems
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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 topics such as career aspirations, thesis writing, commitment to clinical practice, and personal interests in specific sub-areas. These questions may have been part of an MMI format, with some respondents possibly bound by a nondisclosure agreement.
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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.
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Write the thesis sentence to your dissertation.
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A trick question about how badly I want to be a full-time clinician
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Is this sub area your first love?
✅ Interview Preparation and Impressions ▼
How long was the interview?
Most respondents had an interview of 20 - 30 minutes.
How did the interview impress you?
Most respondents were neutral about their interview.
How many people interviewed you?
Most respondents were interviewed by 5 or more people.
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.
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.
How did you prepare for the interview?
Applicants commonly prepared for the interview by researching the professors' interests and reading papers by the person of interest. They also looked at the university's website, read relevant articles, and spoke to current or former students for insights and information.
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Read papers, read about professors interests
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Reading over articles, BU's website
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Read papers by POI, looked at website.
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read articles, spoke to current and former students
What impressed you positively?
Applicants were positively impressed by the friendly and genuine interactions with students and faculty, the appealing location, various practicum options, and high stipend offered by the program. Additionally, the quality of research from potential advisors was highlighted as a positive aspect.
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Students liked each other, impressed by practicum options, laid back attitude, high stipend. Great location and impressive faculty.
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Students were nice, but not in the fake overenthusaistic way. The program generally impressed me.
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Location is fantastic. Some of the grad students were very nice.
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The research of my POI
What impressed you negatively?
Applicants commonly expressed concerns about lack of enthusiasm from professors, minimal engagement with current students, competitiveness among applicants, and a perceived focus on the business side of clinical aspects rather than holistic well-being. Suggestions included enhancing faculty engagement, providing more insight into the program beyond the website, improving the campus tour experience, and fostering a more supportive and less competitive atmosphere among applicants.
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Some profs didn't seem super interested.
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The students weren't happy at all.
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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.
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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!!
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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 individuals they would be interviewing with and the overall atmosphere of the program, feeling that it can be more corporate than academic. Additionally, there was a desire for more information on the required clinical work hours, especially within specific programs, to better prepare for the workload ahead.
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That I wasn't interviewing with one of the professors that I was originally was supposed to meet with.
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Can feel like a corporation rather than a school.
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I was aware of most things ahead of time. Spoke to many students prior to interviewing.
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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 for its balance between clinical work and research, structured curriculum with minimal micromanagement, and generous stipends. However, some expressed mixed feelings about the interview process, noting varying stress levels and a corporate atmosphere rather than a school vibe.
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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.
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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
📍 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.
What is your in-state status?
Most respondents are out of state students.
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)
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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?
The most commonly mentioned hotel is Sheraton Boston.
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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 are your comments on where you stayed?
No responses
All Responses
| Application Cycle ▿ | Impression | Performance | Interview Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009-10 | Positively 🙂 | Good | N/A |
| 2009-10 | Positively 🙂 | Great | N/A |
| 2009-10 | Negatively ☹️ | Great | N/A |
| 2009-10 | Negatively ☹️ | Good | N/A |
| 2009-10 | No change 😐 | Good | N/A |
| 2009-10 | Negatively ☹️ | Average | N/A |
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