How does one prepare for a PhD program interview?

Question

Interview is for New Testament Studies.

Answer 1

There's a slight difference in preparation depending on whether you will be interviewing at a religiously-affiliated institution, or a non-religiously-affiliated institution.

In both cases, have questions for the faculty. Here are some appropriate ones:
Do most students complete the program?
Of those that do, what do they do afterwards? (In other words, what is this program's placement rate? What are current graduates of the program doing? Do they teach? Where?)
Is there strong mentoring of students by the faculty in the program?
Are there language requirements? How are these fulfilled?
Is the dissertation requirement integrated into the program? How?
Are most students who are accepted into the program supported? Does this support include full tuition remission? Is there a stipend?
Are stipends only given to teaching or research assistants?
Is there a separate method to apply for an assistantship or a fellowship?
Can non-funded students serve as teaching or research assistants?

If you are interviewing at a religiously-affiliated institution, you may also have to answer some questions regarding your own religious position or agenda.

In any PhD program interview, be prepared to talk about your research interests, your theoretical/methodological orientation, and your preparation up to this point (languages, Master's thesis, archaeological fieldwork, etc.).

Also, it is extremely desirable for you to be knowledgeable about the faculty's respective areas of specialization. Be familiar with each faculty member's current work. If you don't have time to read it all before your interview, at least get familiar with the specific research interests of each person. (You probably know some of this already, since you applied to the program, and hope to have one or two of these people as mentors in your field of specialization.)

Bottom line: Look at the interview as an opportunity for a good, productive conversation between you and the faculty. You should see the interview as a place in which to present yourself in the best possible light, but also as a place in which to evaluate the program and its faculty, just as they are evaluating you.

Best wishes!

Answer 2

be yourself. a big mistake people are making is giving textbook answers. the programs are starting to look for individual and unique people..
i mean still be intelligent and smart, but be yourself.