Question: How does one prepare for a PhD program interview? Interview is for New Testament Studies.

Answer: There's a slight difference in preparation depending on whether you will be interviewing at a religiously-affiliated institution, or a non-religiously-affiliated institution. \n\nIn both cases, have questions for the faculty.  Here are some appropriate ones:\nDo most students complete the program?\nOf those that do, what do they do afterwards?  (In other words, what is this program's placement rate?  What are current graduates of the program doing?  Do they teach?  Where?)\nIs there strong mentoring of students by the faculty in the program?\nAre there language requirements?  How are these fulfilled?\nIs the dissertation requirement integrated into the program? How?\nAre most students who are accepted into the program supported? Does this support include full tuition remission? Is there a stipend? \nAre stipends only given to teaching or research assistants?\nIs there a separate method to apply for an assistantship or a fellowship?\nCan non-funded students serve as teaching or research assistants?\n\nIf you are interviewing at a religiously-affiliated institution, you may also have to answer some questions regarding your own religious position or agenda.\n\nIn any PhD program interview, be prepared to talk about your research interests, your theoretical/methodological orientation, and your preparation up to this point (languages, Master's thesis, archaeological fieldwork, etc.).  \n\nAlso, it is extremely desirable for you to be knowledgeable about the faculty's respective areas of specialization.  Be familiar with each faculty member's current work.  If you don't have time to read it all before your interview, at least get familiar with the specific research interests of each person.  (You probably know some of this already, since you applied to the program, and hope to have one or two of these people as mentors in your field of specialization.)\n\nBottom line:  Look at the interview as an opportunity for a good, productive conversation between you and the faculty.  You should see the interview as a place in which to present yourself in the best possible light, but also as a place in which to evaluate the program and its faculty, just as they are evaluating you.\n\nBest wishes!
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