So after the application process, the campus interview is the next step. Depending on the program, a few to several hundred applicants will apply, and a select few will invited for an interview with the faculty and tour of the facilities and campus.
My first interview was this weekend at the University of Cincinnati. I have to admit, when I applied here, it was because I liked what the program had to offer, but I was a little skeptical of the city itself. I have always heard bad things about the area surrounding the campus, and this made me less than enthusiastic as a whole.
Nevertheless I was excited I had an interview at this program, and was hoping to get a taste of Cincinnati as well that would help calm my nerves.
Christina and I traveled down Thursday afternoon, and were lucky enough to be down on campus to hear my cousin Crystalyn perform her Junior year piano recital. As always, it was wonderful and we enjoyed listening to her play.
Friday was when the campus visit weekend started, and we first had a program overview and a student poster session to allow us to meet current graduate students while at the same time getting a look into some of the current research going on at Cincinnati Children's. I spent about 1.5 hours browsing the different posters and discussing research and labs with different students which was a good/intimidating/sometimes awkward experience. All to be expected for the first day of this experience.
That night, we had dinner at a house in Newtown, Ohio belonging to two faculty members at Children's. Not only did they have a lovely house, but we ate some delicious Thai food, and they provided non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages for the night. The beginning again was a little awkward but as the night went along, it got really easy to mingle and talk to current graduate students as well as some of the present faculty. By the end of the night, I definitely felt a lot more comfortable in my surroundings and started to begin to picture my future with these people.
Saturday was the big day! We had some breakfast provided in the morning, but soon it was time to start interviews. These interviews were 25-30 minute interviews where we would be in a room with 2 faculty members discussing our research and answering any questions they had for us. I was a little intimidating to have a 1 on 2 interview, but all of the faculty provided a relaxed atmosphere which helped ease my tension, and make the 4 interviews over 3 hours a not-too-stressful time.
After that was over we had lunch with the graduate students and discussed our interviews as well as their experiences in the program and Cincinnati in general. Following lunch, the students led a tour of the research labs in Cincinnati Children's as well as the Medical Science Building across the street. Pictures of the 2 awesome buildings are below.
ABOVE: Cincinnati Children's Hospital
ABOVE: Medical Science Building
Both buildings are relatively new/newly renovated and were really cool as far as the architecture and design, but also the research labs set-up and toys they have to play with!
We then went on a city tour, which was actually one the things I anticipated most. This was actually very helpful to me, because the student that drove us offered a lot of facts about the area as well as suggestions on areas to live and not to live. After this and discussion with several of the students, I realized there are actually a lot of cool places to live and so many things to do!
Finally, we met the students again at Dewey's Pizza where we had dinner and got all of the dirt on the faculty, graduate life, and Cincinnati living! It was really a great experience and delicious food!!
Overall, this trip was very good for both Christina and I. We both went into it a little leery of the city, not knowing if we would want to dedicate 4-5 years of our lives there. But what was a program at the bottom of my list is now #1 for me right now! I could really see myself in this program with the faculty and students that are there. And now I have a much better perspective and outlook on the city of Cincinnati!
I have an interview at Indiana University in two weeks so I cannot wait for that either. Obviously I already know the city, but I am interested to see what the students and faculty are like! I have had a little taste, but I am definitely ready for more.
Hopefully I will hear my fate from University of Cincinnati soon and I will update then! I will also let you know if I get interviews or denials from any of the other 3 places I applied.
Hope everyone is well!
Jeremy
