UC Santa Cruz Interview Questions
& Process

The interview process was good, but I think it really depends on who interviews you. Since I was in the economics department, it was a bit challenging. I was interviewed by 5 PhDs who specialized in Math, Economics, and Finance.

I applied online and heard back about 2 months later. They said I'd get a decision in 2 weeks, but it took them 3 weeks to tell me I wasn't moving forward. The hiring process across campus is really slow. I'd say the experience was okay if they hadn't kept me waiting so long. The questions were also really vague and repetitive, sometimes with multiple unrelated parts, and the interview panel was way too big. I had no idea if I was doing well or poorly.

For student worker roles here, they really want to see if you can help out the university while still keeping up with your studies. It's good to look into the department, get what they're about, and see how you fit. They might do interviews with one person, a group of interviewers, or even a group of candidates. Expect questions about working with others, sorting out issues, and being flexible. To get ready, practice answering questions about your past behavior, show off what you've done, and make it clear you really want the job. Being professional, on time, and communicating well is super important to make a good impression.

So after they invite you to the graduate program, you'll be invited to spend 3 days visiting the campus, students, and professors. Over the course of these 3 days you will get to hear short presentations from professors and students regarding their research. This is a great opportunity to ask questions about their science and what their future directions and projects are. During the interview itself, be expected to discuss your previous research experience in depth. To keep the focus off of yourself, I would recommend asking the professor questions about their research, their field, and how they enjoy the campus and work environment.