No interview. Only two recommendation letters required because transfer from another US university. Bureaucracy required personal interaction and multiple phone calls and emails with international student office and assistant in department.

Fairly quickly, usually candidates are invited to come tour the campus and meet professors before they are committed into a lab. As an international student the office of international students was really helpful in getting travel documents rady

Very comfortable yet professional. They seem to care more about whether you fit in rather than how impressive your resume may be. This is a huge green flag. I was also told that although previous experience for certain things was preferred, it is not a deal breaker. Techniques can always be taught.