George Washington University Columbian College of Arts & Sciences Interview Feedback Summary
Washington, DC
Psychology Schools | Private Non-Profit
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⭐ Overall Impressions ▼
SDN Interview Experience Score
6.1
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 average.
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
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 responsive.
💬 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 motivations for choosing the specific school, their theoretical orientation, and their reasons for pursuing studies there. Responses also indicated that some interviews were conducted in a conversational format where interests were shared and discussed with professors.
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Why this school?
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What is your theoretical orientation?
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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'.
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Why do you want to come here?
What was the most interesting question?
Students said most interesting question asked at George Washington University Columbian College of Arts & Sciences discussed various topics, including significant clinical experiences.
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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 family history's impact on career choice, personal struggles, and reflections on challenges faced. The interview format may have been an MMI, with potential nondisclosure agreements in place based on the responses mentioning personal questions.
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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 Preparation and Impressions ▼
How long was the interview?
Most respondents had an interview of 30 - 40 minutes.
How did the interview impress you?
Most respondents were neutral about their interview.
How many people interviewed you?
Most respondents were interviewed by 2 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 had average performance 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 thoroughly researching the organization or program, reviewing their own application materials, practicing mock interviews, and familiarizing themselves with the research or publications of key individuals. These steps helped them feel more prepared, knowledgeable, and confident during the interview process.
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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 enthusiastic students and the balance between research and clinical aspects of the program. They also appreciated the welcoming and friendly community at George Washington University and in Washington, DC.
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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, including being housed in the basement and the lack of basic amenities like coffee. They also noted concerns about the strict psychodynamic training model and some interview logistics issues, such as speaking with professors over the phone and interviewers appearing disengaged. Suggestions for improvement may include enhancing facilities, providing better training model explanations, and ensuring all interviewers are present and attentive during interviews.
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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 from first to second year and the requirement of completing an interview over the phone.
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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 expressed mixed experiences with interviewers, noting positive interactions with some and more negative encounters with others. Additionally, they appreciated the welcoming and friendly environment of the program, despite logistical challenges such as bad weather affecting faculty availability.
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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?
Applicants commonly suggested enhancing the quality of interviews conducted by the admissions office to make them more engaging and meaningful for prospective students.
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Interviews seemed sort of lackluster
📍 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.
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 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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BAL
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Dulles (do not use!!)
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IAD
Where did you stay?
Most respondents stayed either Hotel or at a hotel.
What is the name of the hotel you stayed in?
Embassy Suites Dulles Airport
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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 are your comments on where you stayed?
No responses
All Responses
| Application Cycle ▿ | Impression | Performance | Interview Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009-10 | Negatively ☹️ | Poor | N/A |
| 2009-10 | No change 😐 | Good | N/A |
| 2009-10 | Positively 🙂 | Good | N/A |
| 2009-10 | Positively 🙂 | Good | N/A |
| 2009-10 | No change 😐 | Good | N/A |
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