Grad School Interview: Tell Me About Yourself?

I have a grad school interview coming up, and I'm pretty sure they'll ask the 'Tell me about yourself' question. What's the best way to answer this, and how can I make a strong impression in the interview?

When answering the "Tell me about yourself" question during a grad school interview, it's important to give a concise, well-rounded response that highlights your background, experiences, achievements, and motivation for pursuing a graduate degree. To make a strong impression in the interview, follow these four steps:

1. Start with a brief introduction: Open with a brief summary of your academic background and area of study. Mention the schools you've attended, your major(s), and any degrees you've earned. This sets the stage for the rest of your answer and lets the interviewer know about your academic foundation.

2. Highlight relevant experiences and accomplishments: Next, discuss experiences and achievements related to your field or area of study. You could mention internships, research projects, publications, presentations, or awards that demonstrate your knowledge and passion for the subject. Make sure to discuss the impact of these experiences on your growth and how they've shaped your interest in pursuing graduate study in your field.

3. Connect your experiences to the graduate program: Show how your background and experiences have prepared you for the graduate program you're applying to. Explain why this particular program aligns with your interests and goals. You might mention specific courses, professors, research opportunities, or resources that attracted you to the school.

4. Wrap up with your future goals: Finally, briefly discuss your long-term goals and how the graduate degree you're pursuing will help you achieve them. This could include your career aspirations, research interests, or how you plan to use your education to make a positive impact in your field or community.

Throughout your response, remain concise and focused on relevant information. Practice your answer beforehand to ensure you can deliver it smoothly and within about two minutes. Remember to maintain eye contact, speak confidently, and smile to show your enthusiasm and genuine interest in the program.

By following these steps, you'll provide a well-structured answer that not only highlights your background and achievements, but also demonstrates your motivation for pursuing a graduate degree and your fit with the program you've applied to.