George Washington University Columbian College of Arts & Sciences
Washington, DC
Psychology Schools | Private Non-Profit
Going on an interview at GW-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 had average performance 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 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 motivation behind pursuing the degree, theoretical orientation, reasons for choosing the specific school, readiness for the program, personal background, and interest in the institution. Some respondents mentioned a conversational format where they discussed their interests and inquired about professors, while others were asked about their reasons for selecting the school and their self-introduction.
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Why this degree?
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Why this school?
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What is your theoretical orientation?
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Why do you think you are ready for a doctoral program in psychology?
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I cannot remember any real questions; it was more like a conversation in which I shared my interests and asked about the professors'.
What was the most interesting question?
Students said most interesting question asked at George Washington University Columbian College of Arts & Sciences discussed experiences in clinical settings and significant patient interactions.
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None.
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Tell me about a significant clinical experience you've had.
What was the most difficult question?
Students said most difficult question asked at George Washington University Columbian College of Arts & Sciences discussed personal impact on career choice, family history, and personal challenges faced.
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None.
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Did your family history/childhood impact your decision to become a psychologist?
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Tell me about what (personal) troubles you've had?
🤝 Interview Format and Logistics ▼
How long was the interview?
Most respondents had an interview of 30 - 40 minutes.
How many people interviewed you?
Most respondents were interviewed by 2 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 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 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 airplane to the interview.
About how much did you spend on room, food, and travel?
Most respondents spent between $101 and $200.
What airport did you fly into?
Respondents who flew to the interview generally used Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)
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IAD
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Dulles (do not use!!)
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BAL
Where did you stay?
Most respondents stayed either Hotel or at a hotel.
What is the name of the hotel you stayed in?
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Embassy Suites Dulles Airport
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 responsive.
How did you prepare for the interview?
Applicants commonly prepared for the interview by conducting research on the organization or program, reviewing their application materials, and practicing with mock interviews. They also emphasized the importance of familiarizing themselves with the program's mission, professors' research, and publications.
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Visiting their website, reviewing my application, looking at The Insider's Guide, practicing.
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Read website, mock interview.
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Re-read my SoP, read the program's mission statement, read up on the professors' research
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read publications
What impressed you positively?
Applicants were positively impressed by the positive atmosphere and vibe of the program and university, as well as the enthusiasm of both students and faculty. The sense of community, friendliness, and balance between research and clinical aspects were highlighted as strong points.
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The vibe. Also George Washington University and DC are great places to be.
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The students' enthusiasm about the program.
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The balance between research and clinical, the faculty, students, and DCT
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The friendliness and open-ness of the students in the program.
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very nice people all around, loved the community framework they work from
What impressed you negatively?
Applicants commonly expressed negative impressions about the department's facilities and lack of amenities like coffee, the strict psychodynamic training model, the inconvenience of interviewing professors not being on campus, and interviewers appearing disinterested. Suggestions included improving facilities, offering more modern training approaches, ensuring faculty availability for in-person interviews, and ensuring interviewers are engaged and attentive.
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The facilities: the department is housed in the basement. Also they did not have coffee available during the "refreshment" part of the day! WTF?
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The strict psychodynamic training model.
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One of the professors was not on campus on the day I interviewed, so I had to speak with her over the phone. I would have much preferred to speak with her in person.
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One of my interviewers looked like he was falling asleep mid-interview.
What did you wish you had known ahead of time?
Applicants commonly wished they had known about the significant increase in workload between 1st and 2nd year, as well as the requirement for a phone interview.
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Students said your workload increases ten-fold from 1st year to 2nd year.
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That I had to complete an interview over the phone
What are your general comments?
Applicants generally found the program to have potential for growth, with some finding it exciting. They appreciated the welcoming environment created by faculty and grad students, although some had mixed experiences during interviews due to varying interviewer behaviors and external factors like weather affecting schedules.
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The program has a lot of growing to do, which may be exciting for some.
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The grad students and faculty were all very nice and welcoming. The students seemed happy, but busy.
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My first interview was a very positive experience. The person was very friendly, talkative, and sociable. I never felt like I was put on the spot or being judged/analyzed. My second interview was a more negative experience. The interviewer's eyes were half-closed the majority of the interview. He was more cold and only asked me three or four questions, leaving the other twenty minutes for me to ask questions, which felt like too much time to fill. I didn't feel like I was being psychoanalyzed, but I also didn't feel like he cared about me at all.
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great, bad weather so some faculty were late/couldn't make it at all (had to do phone interviews on site) but that all can't really be helped...it was really laid back and relaxed, even despite the hectic-ness!
What are your suggestions for the admissions office?
Many applicants suggested that the admissions office should improve the quality and engagement of their interviews to make them more meaningful and impactful for prospective students.
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Interviews seemed sort of lackluster
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