MBA Admissions Interviews
The interview is an opportunity for schools to put a name to a face, and to get to know you on a more personal level. At the top business schools, an interview is required for admission and is by invitation only. So if you don’t receive an invitation to interview, you won’t be offered admission either.
Chances are, if you’re invited to interview at a school, you are looked upon as a strong candidate for admission. However, schools usually admit less than half of the students who are interviewed. And so, if you’re lucky enough to be invited to interview at a top program, be aware that the journey is not yet over.
Here are some general tips for business school interviews and, in some cases, interviews in general:
- Stay calm and poised no matter what question you are asked. Some interviewers will ask off-the-wall questions just to observe your reaction.
- Unless instructed otherwise, dress in business professional attire. This means wear a professional looking suit (and tie if you’re a male).
- Send the interviewer a thank you note after the interview.
- Get to the interview about ten minutes before schedule. You never want to be late- or too early for that matter. About ten minutes early is appropriate.
- Ask two or three challenging questions at the end of the interview. An interview is also an opportunity for you to learn more about the program. Asking questions shows your interest.
Common interview questions
- Why do you want to attend this program?
- What will you bring to this school that is unique?
- How will an MBA enhance your career and long-term goals?
- What do you want out of business school?
- Tell me about a leadership role you had.
- Tell me about a failure and what you learned from it.
- What is your most important accomplishment?
- Tell me about an ethical dilemma and how you dealt with it.
- At what moment in your career did you realize that an MBA might be helpful or even necessary?