Clinical psychology programs interview a short list of finalists, usually in January or February, and the interview is largely about fit: with a mentor’s research, with the program, and with the work of a psychologist. Here is what the APA, the clinical program directors’ council (CUDCP), and named PhD and PsyD programs say about interviews, the sample questions the APA publishes, and how to prepare.
From the APA, CUDCP, and programs’ own pages2026-27 cycleChecked October 28, 2026
Practice with a mock interviewOne-on-one on Zoom with Julie Cunningham, MA, CCC-SLP.
Jump to:Formats by programWhat they look forSample questionsOffersVirtual interviewsHow to prepareInternshipFAQ
Interview formats by program
These come from each program’s own page. Formats change, so check the page for every program that invites you.
| Program | Format | What their page says |
|---|---|---|
| BYU (PhD) | Remote, plus recorded | “Interviews of Finalists conducted by admissions committee (remotely)” on January 25, 2027. The application includes a “Pre-recorded automated interview.” Source |
| Loyola University Chicago (PhD) | Virtual, day-long | “Our interview process is conducted on-line.” Approximately 40 finalists are “interviewed individually by at least two faculty members and an advanced graduate student.” Source |
| University of Colorado Denver (PhD) | Virtual, then campus | “Initial interviews will be virtual on Feb 4 and 5, and Feb 11 and 12, 2027.” “Select applicants will be invited to campus on March 5, 2027.” Source |
| Nova Southeastern | Virtual or on campus, plus Kira | For 2026-27, “two Interview Days will be conducted virtually” and two on campus, with “one-on-one faculty interviews,” group interviews, and a Kira Talent exercise. Source |
| University of Wyoming (PhD) | In person or phone | About 20 candidates are “individually interviewed by program faculty and students.” Those who can’t attend “are considered equally with those who come to campus.” Source |
Some faculty screen before interview day. Wyoming says “Some faculty use phone or Skype interviews of short-listed candidates to select their interview pool” (Wyoming). Treat any call from a potential mentor as part of the interview.
What interviewers are looking for
The APA’s interview guidance comes back to one word: fit. Its Finding Fit slides say the objective is “to determine the goodness-of-fit between your interests and experience” and “what the graduate program has to offer” (APA).
“your goal is not to get into graduate school; it is to get through graduate school.”Neimeyer and Fowler, APA Psychology Student Network, 2015
The same APA article tells applicants to come in “informed, interested and inquisitive” and says the interview “is not a time when you have to prove yourself” (APA). An invitation means they already think you could do the work.
Sample clinical psychology interview questions
The APA’s Finding Fit slides list sample questions in three groups (APA):
General
- Why do you want to pursue a Ph.D.?
- What attracts you to our program?
- What do you see yourself doing after graduation?
Clinical
- Describe any relevant experience you may have had, and what you liked about it.
- What kinds of people or issues are particularly difficult for you to work with?
- What features or characteristics about yourself do you think would enable you to become an effective psychologist?
Research
- What research interests do you have?
- Who on our faculty could you see yourself working with?
- Describe a successful research project you have completed so far.
- What is the most challenging or frustrating thing about research to you?
- Describe your research skills: methods, statistics, computer skills.
The slides also suggest questions to ask, such as “How are advisor or supervisor appointments made?” for faculty and “Is the environment competitive/supportive?” for current students.
Interviewers may have read your statement, so reread it before the interview. If you’re still writing, see our clinical psychology PhD and PsyD personal statement examples, or work with Lauren Hammond, PhD, our personal statement editor.
Offers and the April 15 rule
Clinical PhD programs that belong to CUDCP, the Council of University Directors of Clinical Psychology, follow its policy on offers. As reproduced on Wayne State’s program page (CUDCP policy):
- “Most initial offers of admission are extended by April 1.”
- “It is impermissible for programs to request a decision prior to April 15.”
- “Do not hold more than two offers for more than one week” unless you are waiting on specific information.
Virtual interview days
Many programs now interview online. Nova says, “It will be required that your webcam is on during the general sessions and all interviews” (Nova). The APA says, “If you are asked to participate in a video interview instead of a campus visit, you should prepare the same way” (APA).
How to prepare
- Know your potential mentor’s work. Read two or three recent papers and be ready to say how your interests connect.
- Explain your research in two minutes to a non-specialist and in five to an expert.
- Prepare for the clinical questions. The APA lists “What kinds of people or issues are particularly difficult for you to work with?” Have an honest, thoughtful answer.
- Bring questions. Ask faculty about mentoring and funding, and ask students what the program is really like.
- Do a mock interview. Practice talking about your research out loud, on camera, with someone who will tell you when you ramble.
For PhD interviews in other fields, see our grad school and PhD interview guide.
For how to come across well on a video interview day, see Zoom interview tips from Julie Cunningham, a licensed speech-language pathologist.
Later: internship interviews and the APPIC Match
Doctoral students interview again for the predoctoral internship, which is filled through the APPIC Match. For the 2027 Match, Phase I rank order lists are due February 5, 2027, and Phase I Match Day is February 19, 2027 (APPIC). There is no single interview notification day: “APPIC recommends that sites use December 15 as the interview notification date,” and each site lists its own date in the APPIC Directory (APPIC). The APPIC Board endorses guidance that “strongly recommends exclusively virtual interviews for Doctoral, Internship, and Postdoctoral recruitment and selection processes for the 2024-25 cycle and beyond” (APPIC).
Applying to a counseling, MFT, or social work master’s program instead? See our counseling program interview guide.
Practice with a real interviewer before the real one. My wife, Julie Cunningham, MA, CCC-SLP, is a licensed speech-language pathologist who runs mock interviews on Zoom for clinical psychology applicants. She coaches every format: one-on-one, panel, MMI, and recorded video interviews such as Kira Talent. She works on how your answers come across: clear key words, pace, voice, filler words, organizing an answer so it has a point, staying steady when you're nervous, and how you look and sound on camera. It's $250 an hour.
Frequently asked questions
When are clinical psychology PhD interviews?
Usually January and February. BYU interviews on January 25, 2027, Colorado Denver holds virtual interviews February 4, 5, 11, and 12, 2027, and Wyoming holds Visiting Days in mid to late February.
What questions are asked in clinical psychology interviews?
The APA lists sample questions including “Why do you want to pursue a Ph.D.?,” “Who on our faculty could you see yourself working with?,” and “What kinds of people or issues are particularly difficult for you to work with?”
Are clinical psychology interviews virtual?
Many are. Loyola Chicago interviews online, BYU interviews remotely, and Colorado Denver starts with virtual interviews. Nova offers virtual and on-campus interview days.
Who interviews clinical psychology applicants?
Usually faculty and current students. Loyola Chicago finalists are interviewed by at least two faculty members and an advanced graduate student.
When do clinical psychology programs make offers?
Under the CUDCP policy, most initial offers are made by April 1, and programs may not require a decision before April 15.
What is the interview really about?
Fit. The APA says the objective is to determine the goodness-of-fit between your interests and experience and what the program has to offer.
Related guides: Counseling programs, Marriage and family therapy, Social work (MSW), and Art therapy. See all interview guides by program.
Every format and quotation on this page comes from the APA, the CUDCP policy as published by a member program, or the program’s own page, linked where it appears. Last checked October 28, 2026.