Schools Graduate school admissions process

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Most math PhD programs do not include interviews in their application process, which raises questions about the effectiveness of this approach. Concerns have been expressed regarding the ability to objectively compare candidates and verify the claims made in their applications. Some participants in the discussion suggest that interviews may not add significant value for mathematics candidates, although specific reasons for this viewpoint are not detailed. There is a concern that if the lack of interviews becomes widely recognized, applicants might tailor their submissions to stand out, similar to trends seen in corporate hiring practices. Additionally, it is noted that PhD programs often admit students into a graduate program first, requiring them to pass an exam before advancing to the PhD level.
modnarandom
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What are your thoughts on the fact that most math PhD program applications do not contain interviews?

Consider the following link: https://quomodocumque.wordpress.com...er-at-recruitment-than-elite-financial-firms/

One of the comments expresses concerns about objective comparisons and verifying statements written in paper. Other comments point to the lack of value in such a process for mathematics specifically although they do not mention specific reasons.
 
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I would venture to say that once this becomes common knowledge that applicants would tailor their applications to attract more attention and that's why corporate job hiring still needs to have interviews and appears less successful.
 
modnarandom said:
What are your thoughts on the fact that most math PhD program applications do not contain interviews?<snip>

It's my experience that PhD programs don't directly admit students; typically, a student is admitted into the graduate program (based on a written application) and must first pass an exam prior to being admitted into the Ph.D. program.
 
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