Source: https://twitter.com/bneyshabur/status/1469009343081295883?s=12

1. Anyone screening applications and any applicant thinking their CV is not representative of their skills/potentials, I think you might want to read the story of my own PhD application in this thread.
2. In 2021 when I applied for PhD programs, I was a Master student in Iran with no published papers, undergrad GPA C and poor to mediocre English test scores.
3. All US universities rejected my Application without even interviewing me, except @TTIC_Connect where a Prof. decided to interview me. @TTIC_Connect was less known back then and was recommended to me by my dear friend @ArashVahdat.
4. My interview with the Prof. didn't go as I was hoping. When he called me, we had a hard time even communicating with each other partly because of my poor English listening skills. However, he kindly offered to resume the interview in Google Chat.
5. During the interview, he asked me several questions. I wasn't able to answer the questions properly because they required remembering details from the courses. However, I generally have a terrible memory and I couldn't remember those required details.
6. At some point, I realized that he is disappointed and is about to end the interview. Instead of accepting my "fate", I decided not to give up. I told him: "Look, I know I have a terrible memory. But I am hardworking and a fast learner!"
7. What would you do if you were in his shoes? A student from Iran with a poor CV, poor English and unable to answer your basic questions claiming to be "hardworking" and "fast learner"? Would you even take that seriously?
8. Instead of ignoring what I said and ending the interview, Prof. said: "How can you prove that you are hardworking and a faster learner?" That was when I knew I have the opportunity to design my own interview and prove myself!
9. Without thinking too much I said: "Send me 5 papers and tomorrow at the same time, ask any questions of any depth and difficulty from them and assess my skills." And he agreed! He sent me 4 papers and a book chapter and we decided to meet at the same time tomorrow.
10. I didn't sleep that night and spent the whole 23h reading the papers and preparing for the interview next day. I knew that was my moment and didn't want to miss it!
11. My interview went perfectly. I was able to answer the questions about the papers and I even gave suggestions on future directions. Of course given my CV, Prof. needed more evidence to be convinced so we did a few interviews of this type. Eventually, I got an offer in Spring!
12. Fast forward to 2021, with a PhD from @TTIC_Connect, several well-known universities who wouldn't even seriously consider me for their PhD program gave me offers to become a tenure-track faculty, which I declined due to reasons that are outside of the scope of this tweet.
13. Looking back, I think the moment that I was asked "How can you prove that you are hardworking and a fast learner?" was an absolutely pivotal event in my life and I am forever grateful for that opportunity.