[Permanent Preservation Edition] A Thorough Explanation of Interview Preparation for Humanities Graduate Schools!

Hello! This is the "Graduate School Exam Information Bureau".
Are you thinking about entering a humanities graduate school in the 2025 academic year and feeling like, "I've made some progress on my research proposal, but I'm nervous about the interview..."? Actually, interviews (oral exams) for humanities graduate schools are a crucial step that significantly influences whether you pass or fail. This is because the faculty members are looking closely at you to gauge your personality and how serious you are about your research, which cannot be seen through documents or written exams alone.

In this article, we will thoroughly explain everything from the purpose of the interview, frequently asked questions, specific preparation methods, and tips for online interviews. By reading this, you should clearly understand "what and how to prepare" and "how to behave during the actual interview." Be sure to check it out until the end to significantly boost your chances of passing!

1. Introduction: Why are interviews for humanities graduate schools important?

When you hear about graduate school entrance exams in the humanities, you might tend to think that "the research proposal and written exam are the main parts," but in reality, the influence of the interview (oral exam) is also extremely significant. In particular, faculty members try to verify the "applicant's own way of thinking" and "seriousness about research," which are difficult to read from documents, during the interview.

• Assumed Pass/Fail Judgment Scenarios

  1. Written exam passing line + Interview content is excellent → High probability of passing

  2. Written exam passing line but Interview content is poor → Passing is in jeopardy

  3. Near the written exam borderline but Interview content is excellent → A chance to pass

In other words, the interview is a place to confirm "whether you have a solid understanding of your research plan," "whether you have a strong interest in that field and have envisioned your future," and "whether you have basic communication skills and manners." If you prepare with this in mind, it will become a major weapon in the interview.

2. The 4 Major Points Interviewers Are Looking At

In humanities graduate school interviews, faculty members particularly emphasize the following four items. Just by grasping these, your evaluation will change significantly.

2-1. Enthusiasm and Motivation for the Research Theme

Research in graduate school requires spontaneous and long-term learning and investigation. Interviewers will ask questions while assuming, "Will this applicant give up halfway?" Actually,

• whether there is a connection to your graduation thesis from your undergraduate days

• and whether there is a necessity in the process of choosing that theme
  are often asked.

2-2. Logical Thinking Ability

Logical development is unavoidable even in humanities research. In the flow of conversation, the interviewer checks whether you can logically derive a conclusion in response to a "question." For example, when asked, "What is the background of your research plan?" or "What kind of analysis will you specifically conduct?", you will be highly evaluated if you can explain the main points simply.

2-3. Matching with the Supervising Professor

If your research theme is far from the professor's area of expertise, guidance after admission will be difficult. Graduate schools have a stronger "laboratory" character than undergraduate departments, and the key is whether you have researched the professor's research field in advance and are applying to that laboratory for a convincing reason.

2-4. Personality, Manners, and Communication Skills

Since "graduate school = a place of learning for adults," basic professional manners and cooperativeness are essential. Consider that "peace of mind as a person," such as the volume of your voice, facial expressions, politeness, and humility, also affects whether you pass or fail.

3. [10 Frequently Asked Questions] + Tips for Answering

From here on, we will pick up 10 frequently asked questions in humanities graduate schools and explain the points for answering each. By grasping the intent of the questions, you will be able to provide more accurate responses.

Question 1: Self-Introduction

• Intent: Initial warm-up + understanding the candidate's personality

• Response Points: Summarize your name, university/faculty, field of specialization, graduation thesis theme, and brief areas of interest within one minute.

Example Response

Question 2: Motivation for Application

• Intent: Confirm the necessity of pursuing graduate studies and the reason for choosing this specific graduate school

• Response Points: State in the flow of: undergraduate experience -> awareness of issues -> specific learning theme in graduate school -> future vision.

Example Response

Question 3: Explanation of Key Points in the Research Plan

• Intent: Check if the candidate understands their plan and has the logical ability to explain it orally

• Response Points: Briefly cover the five elements: theme, objective, previous research, methodology, and schedule.

Example Response

Question 4: Undergraduate Graduation Thesis (or Research Content)

• Intent: Want to verify existing research ability and the core of interests

• Response Points: Summarize the theme, method, results, and significance concisely, and show the connection to graduate research.

Question 5: Future Career Path (Doctoral Program or Employment)

• Intent: Want to grasp the career path after completing the master's program to some extent

• Response Points: For doctoral programs, explain your path toward becoming a researcher; for employment, explain specifically how what you learn in graduate school will be utilized.

Question 6: Expectations for your academic advisor and matching

• Intent: To confirm how serious you are about wanting that specific professor.

• Response Points: Specifically state which aspects of the professor's research themes or methods you respect and wish to learn from.

Question 7: Other schools you are applying to

• Intent: To confirm your intention to enroll if accepted.

• Response Points: It is better to answer honestly while adding, "Your university is my first choice."

Question 8: Recently read papers or related books

• Intent: To check your motivation for learning and the breadth of your interests.

• Response Points: Mention the title and author specifically, and simply explain how it relates to your own research.

Question 9: Things you focused on other than academics

• Intent: To see your personality and cooperativeness.

• Response Points: Convey the insights gained or personal growth experienced through club activities, part-time jobs, or work experience if you are a working professional.

Question 10: Is there anything you would like to say that you haven't been asked about?

• Intent: To provide an opportunity to share enthusiasm or anecdotes that you couldn't convey during the interview time.

• Response Points: Since you may be asked, "If there is anything you would like to convey at the end, please go ahead," it is effective to re-emphasize the background or motivation for your research.

4. Countermeasures for online interviews

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, more graduate schools have been conducting online interviews for applicants in remote areas and working professionals. While online interviews have the advantage of allowing you to participate easily from home, there are cases where people struggle with connection issues or sound quality problems.

• Pre-interview Checklist

  1. Communication environment (stability of Wi-Fi/wired LAN)

  2. Microphone and camera test (volume, angle, lighting)

  3. Background (a simple wall or bookshelf that doesn't look too lived-in)

  4. When using a smartphone, pay attention to battery and aspect ratio

  5. Be more conscious of your facial expressions and eye contact than you would be in person, and communicate clearly

If a problem occurs, don't panic; it is important to handle it calmly by saying, 'It seems the screen has frozen. I'm sorry, may I speak again?'

5. 5 Steps for Effective Interview Preparation in a Short Period

Step 1: Re-examine your research proposal

It is a major mistake for there to be contradictions between your submitted research proposal and what you say in the interview. Read through your documents again and anticipate potential questions beforehand.

Step 2: Self-analysis + Clarifying your motivation for applying

Summarize how your undergraduate experiences and the questions or interests you gained from them lead to your graduate school application in a storytelling format.

• Example: 'Seminar activities -> Questions discovered -> Want to dig deeper -> Want to complete research in graduate school'

Step 3: Anticipated Q&A and PREP method practice

• PREP Method

  • Point (Conclusion)

  • Reason (Reason)

  • Example (Specific Example)

  • Point (Restatement of Conclusion)

Practice summarizing your main points concisely for every question, starting with "What is your research theme?"

Step 4: Conduct Mock Interviews

• Ask friends, seniors, or your academic advisor to act as the interviewer.

• Record yourself with a smartphone or similar device to check for habits (e.g., speaking too quietly, talking too fast, wandering eyes).

• Check not only the content of your answers but also your demeanor and facial expressions.

Step 5: Prepare for Both Online and In-Person Interviews

• There is a possibility that an interview may switch to online due to sudden schedule changes.

• Conversely, if you are prepared for both, you can feel at ease even if an interview you expected to be online turns out to be in-person.

6. Interview Manners & How to Learn from Failure Examples

6-1. Basic Manners

1. Attire and Grooming: A suit (dark colors) is the safest choice. Prioritize a clean look for hair and makeup.

2. Flow from Entering the Room to Sitting Down: Knock, greet, and sit only after being prompted by the interviewer.

3. Language: Strive for polite honorifics and avoid speaking too quickly.

6-2. Common Examples of Failure

• Memorizing long sentences and reading them in a monotone

  • Strategy: Only grasp the 'framework' of your answer and speak in natural language on the day.

• Missing the question and giving an irrelevant answer

  • Strategy: Ask 'Excuse me, could you repeat that?' to confirm before answering.

• Trying to refute professors with strong self-assertion

  • Strategy: Even if your opinions differ, aim for 'constructive discussion' and do not forget humility.

• A barrage of negative remarks

  • Strategy: Instead of complaining directly, rephrase it positively as 'seeking a better environment' or 'wanting to broaden the scope of my research'.

7. Final Preparation for Humanities Graduate School Admission: Summary of Success Points

1. Consistency of 'Research Theme × Graduate School × Future Vision'

   • How your academic interests will take concrete shape in graduate school and how you will utilize those results in the future. The key is whether you can tell a logical, coherent story.

2. Logical Answering (PREP Method)

   • Logical thinking is essential even in humanities graduate schools. Developing the habit of stating your conclusion first will help organize your conversation and make it easier to understand.

3. Advance Research on Faculty Research Fields

   • Gathering elements from official websites or academic papers that allow you to persuasively say, 'I want to learn from this professor!' will make for a powerful appeal.

4. Professional Manners and Etiquette

   • Simply observing business basics such as honorifics, proper conduct when entering and leaving a room, and consideration for others will help you avoid being labeled as 'lacking common sense'.

5. Gaining Experience and Recording Mock Interviews

   • By repeating practice, you will gain the composure to control your nervousness and speak naturally. Recording audio or video is extremely effective for self-checking.

8. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1. 'I can't seem to put my motivation for applying into words. Where should I start?'

• A1. First, try looking back at the experiences that excited you most during your undergraduate years or moments when you had questions. From there, if you organize 'why you felt that question,' 'how you want to solve it in graduate school,' and 'how you want to utilize it after graduation,' the path will naturally become clear.

Q2. 'What should I be careful about in an online interview?'

• A2. Connection tests and device checks are mandatory. It is best to have a mock call with a friend beforehand to check if your background is cluttered or if your microphone sounds muffled. Since facial expressions are harder to convey through a screen, try to be slightly more expressive than usual.

Q3. 'I am the type who gets too nervous in interviews. How should I prepare?'

• A3. Everyone gets nervous. That is why gaining experience is the shortcut. Conduct multiple mock interviews, watch the recordings, and objectively grasp your speaking style and facial expressions. Taking deep breaths and using notes are also effective. If a question is asked, it is perfectly fine to take a moment to collect your thoughts before answering.

Q4. "Is it okay to completely change my research theme?"

• A4. It is possible. However, be sure to clearly explain why you changed the theme and how you want to learn about the new theme. Also, please note that if there is a large discrepancy with the supervisor's area of expertise, it may be difficult to be accepted.

Q5. "I am torn between finishing with a master's degree or continuing to a doctoral program."

• A5. It is fine if you do not have a clear decision at this moment. However, in the interview, you should show a positive attitude, such as saying, "I want to solidify my foundation in the master's program first, while keeping the possibility of advancing to a doctoral program in view." Vaguely saying "I haven't thought about it" might be perceived as having low research motivation.

Summary

Interviews for humanities graduate schools are the best opportunity to directly appeal whether your research theme matches your passion. At the same time, it is also an important time for the faculty to determine, "Can I conduct research with this person?"

• The top priority should be, "Can I talk about my research plan in my own words?".

• Logical thinking (PREP method) and courtesy/manners will give the interviewers a good impression.

• Mock interviews and recording checks will help you gain experience, ease your nervousness during the actual interview, and allow you to answer in your own way.

Please use the points introduced in this article to proceed with your interview preparation with confidence. Thank you for reading until the end.The Graduate School Exam Information Bureau sincerely supports you so that the 2025 graduate school entrance exams will have the best results for everyone!

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