<p>I was rejected from grad school. The director of admissions told me that it was based on poor performance in interview and interpersonal skills. </p>
<p>In preparation for the interview, I had a professional mock interview that was video recorded. I also conducted 3 practice interviews with an academic advisor and the director of financial affairs, which were each audio recorded. I received interview advice from my friend who interviewed for the same university a few weeks prior. Everyone who helped me prepare for the interview told gave me positive feedback, and I personally thought the interview went great. However, unlike my mock and practice interviews, the grad school interview was held in a group, which had a different dynamic from one-on-one interviews that is hard to prepare for.</p>
<p>I did everything I could. A few years ago, I was diagnosed clinical depression, post traumatic stress disorder, and social anxiety. Therefore, I was in cognitive behavioral therapy for 3 years. </p>
<p>I don’t know what to do any more. Any advice? :(</p>
<p>I’m sorry to hear that. Did you include any of that information in your essay? Is there any way to appeal? Are there any other grad schools you can go to?</p>
<p>This is why it’s important to apply to more than one school. It’s possible that you hit a wrong note somewhere with someone during the course of the interview despite all the practice (which it sounds like you did plenty of). Or you just didn’t stand out compared to those who interviewed better. It’s a random one-off blip, not an indictment of your personality or interpersonal skills. </p>
<p>If you had interviewed at 3 or 4 schools and been rejected everywhere due to poor interviews, I’d say that there was something amiss. This isn’t your situation so don’t over-read it.</p>
<p>I have been interviewed to one other school, and I am still awaiting their decision. </p>
<p>I don’t believe that I had the problem of not standing out too much. I probably spoke the most out of anybody in the group interview. It could have been that they were able to see that I was anxious/nervous.</p>
<p>I believe that my rejection could have been due to a letter of recommendation from a president’s club member/scholarship founder which spoke of my life struggles (e.g. family, financial, learning disorder). This could have been viewed as an interpersonal problem that may affect my ability to perform well in their program.</p>
<p>Don’t overthink this. Concentrate on your next interview(s). </p>
<p>If you do not get in anywhere, it may be worth asking your advisor to review your applications and to help you reconsider your list before trying again in a year or two.</p>
<p>Grad school admissions are extremely competitive. Many students applying for often very few slots, and in some programs the fit of an applicant can be important. Did your undergrad professors help you in your application process, helping you choose appropriate application targets. Were they proactive in helping you contact those programs?</p>
<p>Hopefully you have several more applications out there… remember, just like in applying for undergrad, not everyone gets in everywhere.</p>