Dartmouth Interview Questions & Reviews

Interview Details – Short Interview with the concerned professor.
Asked about knowledge and experience with the subject matter.

Interview Details – Very complicated, intensive process overall. First a phone interview with HR Manager, then in-person interview with HR Manager, which included correcting a writing sample for them to "grade" later. I then had to have another interview with HR where I had thirty minutes to write a letter describing what I felt the position to entail, after a conversation with the HR Manager when I could ask questions, etc. Finally, there was marathon afternoon of interviews, after which I barely knew my name. I met with 7 different people over three hours. Some where group interviews and some where one-on-one. Some where intense firing squad questions, some were more laidback, casual conversations. I was pleased the organization takes so much time and effort to hire the right people, but it was not the right fit for me.

Interview Details – I had an unconventional interview process in that I had not originally applied for graduate school at Dartmouth, but happened to find myself talking to some of the professors. The encouraged me to apply, I was accepted, and that was that. Dartmouth is excellent in that it is a small enough school that individual professors and students can have a big impact on the department, and the upper management has a lot of faith in the professors. Typically, however, the application process consists of making contact with a professor and asking if the are accepting graduate students. This is a critical first step to applying to graduate school. Next, you fill out the online paperwork and send transcripts, etc. If they like you, they will offer you an interview. For the interview, you are flown to Hanover, where there is a recruitment weekend. The recruitment consists of giving a presentation in front of the department, seeing presentations by other applicants and professors (asking questions during these talks is an easy way to make yourself stand out). You will also meet with individual professors at some point. Basically it is a weekend to feel scrutinized, in competition with your peers, and stressed out in general. After that you go home, wait a few weeks and hope to hear from them.

Negotiation Details – no, there is no negotiating. come on, this is grad school.

Interview Details – It has been different from industry. Less organized to say the least.

Negotiation Details – Arduous. I was initially offered 35000 less than the median salary for my position (relative to local data).

Interview Details – I originally applied online on October 5th. I received an email to schedule a phone interview in mid November. The phone interview was with a committee of 8 people. Four weeks after the phone interview I was emailed to schedule an in person interview/campus visit which took place in early January. The in person interviews began at 8:30am and went through dinner. They consisted of several panel interviews, a 1 on 1 with the hiring manager, and a 30 minute presentation followed by a 30 minute Q&A. Lunch and dinner were also with the search committee and the prospective department members. The week after my interviews they began a very comprehensive reference check, and required to speak with current and previous supervisor. I declined the current and was informed that my offer would be contingent on that conversation. The final step was a conversation with HR where they asked my current and desired salary, and confirmed details for my background check. I got an offer 16 days after my campus visit.

Reason for Declining – a combination of factors but mainly that I received a promotion in my current job and was offered the ability to work remotely, flexibility that would not have been possible at Dartmouth.

Interview Details – I am a tough customer; I have read extensively and attempted to practice proper recruiting - I have to say that the recruiting process at Dartmouth is precisely how it is supposed to be to attract good talent - you deal directly with the hiring manager right from the start, and this remains your main point of contact throughout the process (no HR phone screens and other silly non-job related time sinks in this process). The in-person was a full day of panel interviews with all interested parties, from the CIO right on down to the department individual contribs. Again, the entire process was shepherded by the hiring manager. After meeting almost everyone, I was invited to meet one exec that was not there the day I was scheduled at a later date. The exec even met me half way for a breakfast meeting - a very fair and proper gesture. The meeting went well and an offer was conveyed to me shortly afterwards.

Negotiation Details – I was fine on salary/bennies, but the sticking point was start date, as this was a relo for me. In the end, the process was very easy, and the college and I found a suitable solution. A good way to start one's employment - no ultimatums, no "take it or leave it" offers, just out and out proper recruiting.

Interview Details – HR contacted me about their interview offer. Setting up a time was easy, but for some reason, the interviewer had a hard time finding a place to interview me because the center was located in a remote place while their real buidling was newly being constructed. I found the interview to be simple and straightforward.

Negotiation Details – HR is not as efficient as it appears to be at the time of your interview. So be wary of your salary. In case of receiving an hourly offer, be sure to ask about overtime as a first thing. Otherwise, you won't get the overtime opportunity.

Interview Details – Wrote to my prospective supervisor asking if there was an opening for a postdoc. Interview consisted of dinner with a prospective colleague the night before, a one hour seminar on the day of the interview followed by 30 to 60 minute one on one interviews with each of the current lab members. Job was offered on the same day as interview and accepted after two weeks.

Interview Details – It's almost the same thing to apply for graduate schools. You take GRE, Sub and write personal statement and apply.
No interview.
There's campus visit for us students. No such thing for international students, so you have to learn more about this place by yourself.

Negotiation Details – What were you able to negotiate? What advice would you give others considering an offer?