Submit CV to all potential PI, Some may reply and ask more detail about your bg. If they find a good match, they will either make a skype call or invite you to meet on site (in their office). The meetings are quite different depending on profs. Most people will ask some general questions in their field and ask what your interests are.
I applied online. The process took 4 months. I interviewed at MIT in Jan 2015
Interview
submit your application package, GRE scores, GPA, recommendation letters, SOP. Then you will probably get to interview with some faculty, and you receive your acceptance letter sometime between February and March.
I applied in-person. The process took 2 months. I interviewed at MIT in Feb 2013
Interview
I applied for Mechanical Engineering department for Master degree.
I got email for scheduling Skype interview from the faculty and next week I had interview with the faculty.
The faculty interviewer is the one I referred on my SOP as whom I want work with.
But he told me that that was just general interview for whole departmental level, not just for his lab.
He told me that they don't usually interview like this for Master applicant in their department but policy was changed from that year.
The interview was really casual around 30 mins interview in very casual atmosphere.
I just briefly talked about my prior research experiences and he asked some questions.
It took more than 2 months to be declined and thought I was on the wait list.
Hope this would be helpful for you guys!
Interview questions [2]
Question 1
When is the most frustrated moment in your research experience?