Clinical Psychology Interview Questions

Questions to ask the faculty/whoever is interviewing you

1. What is (insert school) known for or bring to the table to differentiate from other PsyD/Ph.D. programs?
2. How soon do students need to start thinking about dissertation topics?
3. Are there mentors/advisors for students once in the program?
4. Do students who don’t have their masters in Clinical Psychology obtain their masters and their doctorate once completing the program? (So the program comes with an M.A. and a Ph.D./PsyD)
5. Are most of the professors and faculty clinical psychologists themselves? (Counseling or Clinical) It makes a difference 🙂
6. Does the school do anything to prepare students for the EPPP part 1 and 2 boards?
7. Is there going to be a part 2 board exam for the EPPP?
8. Where do most students get their internship, or is it too broad or varied every year to say?
9. Diversity of the cohorts? (race)
10. When can students expect to hear back after the interview?
11. How many people in the cohort does the school aim to get?
12. Have there been any changes in the curriculum in the last few years, or has it been relatively stable?
13. Are there any paid practicum experiences?
14. What involves the dissertation process?
15. What year are students collecting and analyzing data for their dissertation?
16. Do students specialize in any focus? (child, neuropsychology, family therapy). 
17. What are state guidelines in terms of how quickly students can become licensed once graduating from the program?
18. Are there scholarships available? Minority, Navy, Army?
19. The average age of students for incoming cohorts?
20. Are the opportunities to have part-time jobs in the program?
21. Where are your graduates getting jobs- in hospitals, private practice, or different facilities?
22. What are the successful characteristics from which you have seen from students in the program?
23. What are you looking for in a candidate?
24. How are students successful in your program?
25. Would you become a clinical psychologist all over again if you had to start over?
26. How hard is it to turn it off when dealing with clients and to have a social life? Can you talk about the importance of having emotional boundaries with clients and patients?
27. What do students say is the most challenging part of the program?

Questions to ask students that are already in the program (who may be secretly interviewing you as well)

1. How is the first semester? What are the challenges, work hours, most challenging classes?
2. What are just some general tips to get through the first year?
3. How do students prepare for an internship, and do they feel prepared when they go?
4. What would you say the average hours a week spent in class/studying are for students?
5. What are the extracurricular activities, and how can students get involved? Clubs, organizations, minority groups, research groups, etc. 
6. Diversity of the cohort?
7. What is the average amount of time students take in finishing the program for this year?*** critical question
8. What are the reasons that students have taken 6 or 7 or more years to finish? *** also critical question (you want to know why it’s taking others longer to finish)
9. What would you say is more challenging, general classes, or preparing and obtaining an internship?
10. What is more complex, studying for boards or preparing to defend a dissertation?
11. What would you say students rank the level of difficulty in classes, studying for boards, defending a dissertation, or preparing for an internship?
12. What type of backgrounds do you find in the cohorts? People that just finished undergrad or those who have been working for some time?
13. How and when do students study for the board exam?
14. What types of career backgrounds do people have when they come into the program? For example, science, psychology, or math majors?
15. What have students said they wish they knew since starting grad school?
16. Are there people that have gotten married or had kids in grad school?
17. How does being in a cohort help with studying? Is there a lot of team collaboration?
18. What was it like to go through your first psychology therapy session?
19. Are there many people in the cohort who already have their master’s degrees?
20. How do students support themselves financially? Part-time jobs, TA’s, research work?
21. What are some qualities of a good psychologist?
22. How are grades distributed in classes? Papers, exams, presentations?
23. Is it challenging to obtain a high GPA?
24. What was the most challenging part of this program so far for you?