AIBU to ask for help preparing for PhD interview?

[Uhuhhoney]

I have an interview at a (too prestigious for me!) good university to do biomedical funded PhD.

I applied on the off chance, and I'm quite shocked I got an interview! I don't have any PG quals, just a 1st in a BSc subject.

I've prepared the presentation, read up on the research papers of the team, and prepared a few generic interview questions...

How can I make sure I make the most of this opportunity?! My partner has told me not to overprepare as I will sound robotic and unnatural!

I'm so nervous!

Off the top of my head, think about answers to the following...

• what are the most pressing research questions/areas in your field?
• what are the research niches?
• how would you criticise current work?
• what are you particularly interested in, in your field? Why?
• (if you have prepared a protocol) why have you chosen this methodology/method/approach/etc? how does it relate to the wider body of work?
• where do you see yourself in 5 years time? (mentioning an intention to apply for a post doc fellowship with (whatever funder) always goes down well)
• why are you personally the right person to do this PhD?
• why do you want to do your PhD at this university?
• how do you intend on managing your PhD? (i.e. - your project management skills)

don't talk yourself down too much - 'just a 1st'?? That's a fantastic achievement. Also I'm sure the uni isn't too prestigious for you ;-) (speaking as a gal who got a 2:1 at an ex poly and managed to get a funded PhD at a top 5 uni)
and remember - they always want PhD students!

PM me if helpful. Good luck x

Also I'm sure there are chapters on PhD interviews in 'how to get your PhD' type of books... IIRC they were helpful for me at my (also on the ''I'll apply on the offchance) interview