University of Virginia Curry School of Education Interview Feedback Summary
Charlottesville, VA
Psychology Schools | Public Non-Profit
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⭐ Overall Impressions ▼
SDN Interview Experience Score
8.6
Above Average
Higher scores indicate a smoother, more positive interview experience with professional staff, organized logistics, and a supportive environment.
Based on 32 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.
What was the stress level of the interview?
Most respondents rated their interview as low stress.
How do you rank this school among ALL other schools?
Most respondents rank this school above all other schools.
How did the interview impress you?
Most respondents felt positively about their interview.
Positively (83%)
No change (17%)
How you think you did?
Most respondents thought they performed well at the interview.
Great (50%)
Good (33%)
Average (17%)
What are your general comments?
Applicants generally found the program to be well-organized and enjoyable, with a positive and engaging interview format that felt more like a conversation than an interrogation. They appreciated the social events, individual interviews with faculty and students, and the relaxed atmosphere that allowed for networking with other candidates.
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Amazing program!
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You had a "social" the night before at a current students home - VERY beneficial to go! On the day of the interview, you had an opening presentation and then met with 2 POIs (that you mentioned in your statement) and 2 of their current students from their lab staggered through the day. When you weren't in interviews, you all sat in one room pretty much chit-chatting with the other nervous interviewees. You also had lunch provided in a group and with a professor that wasn't in your interest section (just to cross check). I have to say that after visiting the program, it moved significantly higher on my "I-REALLY-Want-to-Get-In" list!
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Very laid back and it seemed like you were having a conversation with each faculty member rather than being interviewed
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Group introductions, faculty presentation/brief explaination of program, individual interviews with faculty members and students, lunch, tour, more interviews. In between interviews, all the prospective students sat together in a fairly small room, but were encouraged to walk around and explore.
💬 Interview Process ▼
Length, number, and type of interviews
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Length:
48 Minutes Average
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Number:
4 Interviews Average
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Interview Type (Interaction):
100% One-on-One
0% Group Interview
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File Type:
83% Open-File
17% Closed-File
UVACURRY-COMP interviews are an average of 48 minutes, with an average of 4 interviews. 100% of interviews are one-on-one, and 17% are closed-file.
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 interest in the program, their specific research interests, and how they align with the school's current work. Additionally, questions about the reasons for choosing the school and details about research interests are frequently discussed during interviews.
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Why Curry?
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Why are you interested in our program?
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What are your specific research interests and how do they fit with our current work?
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What are your interests
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Tell me about your research interests.
What was the most interesting question?
Students said most interesting question asked at University of Virginia Curry School of Education discussed family background's impact on graduate school, preference for working with children over adults, and strategies for addressing prison system abuses with a human rights background. These questions suggest a focus on personal experiences, motivations, and ethical decision-making in the interview process.
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What about your family background has been a strength and weakness for graduate school?
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To explain my family dynamics and give background in how I grew up, what my parents do, etc.
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Why do you want to work with children and not adults
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With your background in human rights, how would you handle the abuses that occur in the prison system, assuming there is nothing you could do to change them?
How did you prepare for the interview?
Applicants commonly prepared for the interview by extensively researching their potential advisor's publications and CV, reviewing their own application materials, reading about the program, and preparing questions to ask during the interview. Additionally, many applicants focused on familiarizing themselves with their potential advisor's research and the direction of their labs for the future.
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Reading POI's publications and CV, reading student handbook
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Read POIs past articles/research and CVs, reviewed my SOP and my previous research, read program info from the web site, thought of questions to ask (VERY important)
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Read over POI's research and previous work. Found out the direction that each of their labs were headed in the coming years. Went over questions to ask that weren't answered online or during the orientation presentation earlier in the morning.
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Read articles by my POI, practiced answering typical interview questions
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Read the articles of my POIs, read about the program, read over my own information.
What was the most difficult question?
Students said most difficult question asked at University of Virginia Curry School of Education discussed how to embrace diversity, with interviews being conversational and focused on fit. Some mentioned the challenge of the "tell me about yourself" question, while emphasizing the importance of being a good fit for the close-knit program.
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The dreaded "so tell me about yourself" (why is this so hard?!?!)... but I expected it so it wasn't bad. Basically none of the questions were hard... just really trying to see if you were a good fit (this program is small and seemingly very bonded, fit was a MAJOR priority).
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How do you embrace diversity
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Same as above, but the interview was very conversational, no ''difficult'' questions, per se.
What impressed you positively?
Applicants were overwhelmingly impressed by the friendliness and cohesion of the faculty and students, the program's emphasis on a balance between clinical and research training, and the efficient structure ensuring completion in 5 years. The positive feedback also highlighted the comprehensive training provided, including exposure to various assessments and populations, as well as the opportunity to gain licensure in school psychology with minimal additional classes.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Extremely friendly students/faculty, strong in both clinical and research training, strong track record for APA internships
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Structure of the program (everyone generally graduates in 5 years), mix of clinical and research, enthusiasm and friendliness of the faculty and students...everything, really!
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Facilities, location.
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Surprisingly a lot. It was apparent how tight-knit the entire team was (professors and students). The current students genuinely loved the program and spoke highly of it. Also, they are a TRUE blend of research and practice that firmly believes in finishing the program in 5 years flat. The program also teaches a great breadth of information - to include all assessments (including Rorschach), across all populations (incarcerated, adult, juvenile, etc), and experience in various settings (clinical, school, correctional, etc). To top it off, you only take 3 additional classes and you will get licensed in school psychology (which you can't beat in this hard economic time).
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How down to earth and friendly the faculty and current students were
What impressed you negatively?
Applicants commonly expressed negative impressions related to the lack of generous funding, particularly in terms of stipends compared to other programs. Despite this, some mentioned that the high-quality teaching they received outweighed the financial concerns. Suggestions included increasing the stipend to make the program more competitive.
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Not amazing funding, but full tuition waiver plus stipend, higher than plenty of PhD programs
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Nothing!
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Too clinical, too child focused.
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The lack of funding. They do give you a full tuition waiver, but the stipend is around 1/3 of other competitive programs. Many students said that the cost was minimal in exchange for the superior teaching they received (i.e. when they went for internship interviews they commented on how OVER qualified they were in comparison to the competition).
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Nothing.
What did you wish you had known ahead of time?
Applicants commonly wished they had known ahead of time about the low-stress nature of the interviews and the clinical aspect of the program. Additionally, concerns were raised about the low stipend amount and the lack of strong funding available.
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Nothing, I was only pleasantly surprised.
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How low-stress the interviews were. Before I arrived I was really "freaking out" over the entire process, but it was the most enjoyable interview I have ever been a part of.
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That it's more clinical.
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The low stipend amount.
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That their funding isn't very good
🤝 Campus and Facilities ▼
How do you rank the facilities?
Most respondents rank the facilities as above average.
How would you rate the Location and Cultural Life?
0 = Low, 10 = High
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.
What are your suggestions for the admissions office?
Applicants did not provide any suggestions for the admissions office.
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None
📍 Travel and Logistics ▼
Hotels Recommended by Other Interviewees
Most interviewees stayed at the Cavalier - only a few blocks from campus (average ranking 6/10). (Top 1 displayed)
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Cavalier - only a few blocks from campus
6/10
What was the cost and time spent traveling?
Cost: Low Cost to High Cost
What is your in-state status?
Most respondents are out of state students.
Where did you stay?
Most respondents stayed either With students at the school or with students at the school.
Who was the tour given by?
Tours were most commonly given by a Faculty member
Faculty member (83%)
Student (17%)
How did the tour guide seem?
Most tour guides were enthusiastic about the school.
Enthusiastic (100%)
All Responses
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