Interviews

Keep up with our most recent interview reports, and build your skills with our interview tips.

Published: February 4, 2012

Georgetown / McDonough MBA Admissions Interview Questions: Round 2 / Off-Campus / Adcom

I was invited to interview for Round 2. I wanted to visit the campus to interview but unfortunately due to work obligations I could not make it during the work week. I currently live in Philadelphia, but there were no off-campus options there, however there were off-campus options in New York City on the weekend, which was extremely convenient for me since I am originally from New York and still have family in the city. We met at a Hilton Hotel in midtown Manhattan and the interview was conducted in a lounge area at a table. The interview was blind Read more

Published: February 4, 2012

Kellogg MBA Admissions Interview Questions: Round 2 / Student / On-campus

My interviewer was very friendly and had a similiar background as me so it was an easy conversation that lasted exactly 1 hour. I got only a few major questions because I think we went over the time allotted time for my intro “career progression” answer since I had to explain a couple of different jobs and he stopped me to ask a lot of questions. Very straightforward: Not necessarily in order: Career progression Why MBA Why Kellogg Why did you choose your undergraduate school, how was your experience there, what were the most interesting activities/experiences in college Describe a Read more

Published: February 2, 2012

Columbia MBA Admissions Interview Questions: Regular Decision / Alum / Off-Campus

Off campus with an Alum in NYC. The Questions Walk me through your resume Why an MBA? Why Columbia? Why now? What would you do if you don’t get in to B-School this time around? Why did you decide to apply to Columbia and the other schools you have applied to? Why did you choose your undergraduate school? Would you have done anything differently? What are your long-term goals? Example of a time you worked on a team and how you demonstrated leadership Tell me something about you that would surprise me/most people Applied to Columbia on 1/2/2012, invited for Read more

Published: February 2, 2012

Kellogg MBA Admissions Interview Questions: Round 2 / Adcom / On-campus

My interviewer was really friendly but when I went back and made notes about the interview, I realized she asked me LOTS of questions – lots more than I think others have had for Kellogg, so hopefully this is helpful for everyone. Specifically (not necessarily in order): Walk through your resume / background What would your peers say are three things you bring to the team? What is your leadership style? What do you like to for fun? What is some feedback you’ve received from your superiors? This is your opportunity to sell us on you as a candidate. Are Read more

Published: February 1, 2012

Kellogg MBA Admissions Interview Questions: Round 2 / Alumni / Off-campus

Relatively easy interview. Very much a conversation, and all questions were found on this wiki. Specifically: Walk through your resume Questions about specific points on your resume Why MBA now? Why Kellogg? Post-MBA goals? How would your co-workers describe you, positive and negative? Example of leadership Example of working in a team What extra-curriculars? Questions for interviewer We shared similar post-MBA goals in consulting, so was able to talk about that afterwards. Entire interview lasted about 65 mins. Key take-aways: school visit prior to interview is very important. I was able to talk about specific classes and the campus, which Read more

Published: February 1, 2012

Yale SOM MBA Admissions Interview Questions: Round 2 / 2nd year student / On-campus

I interviewed on campus. My interviewer was friendly and took lots of notes. The questions: Please walk me through your resume. Describe how you work in a team. What do you want to do after Yale? Where do you see yourself in 20 years? What do you offer/bring to the table? Describe your perfect day/what do you do for fun? She stressed that the interview was about finding candidates with the right fit for SOM. It was more of a conversation than an interview, and we chatted a lot about her experiences. Read more

Published: January 31, 2012

Ross MBA Admissions Interview Questions: Round 2 / On-campus / Second Year Student

Walk me through your Resume Why an MBA Why Ross Give me an example of a time you were working in a team and a member was not performing. What specific actions did you take? How did you handle the situation? Give me an example of a time you worked successfully in a team. Give me an example of a time when you were disappointed. How did you deal with that disappointment? Tell me something new you’ve done in the past year. (That was a major and weird curveball) The interview was about 45 minutes long, and I had enough Read more

Published: January 31, 2012

Ross MBA Admissions Interview Questions: Round 2 / Off-campus / Ross ’03 Alumnus

My interview was at 5:00pm in a coffee shop in central Hong Kong (mid-February for a round 2 application). He was friendly, but also very professional, and noted that we only had 30 minutes because there were several other students lined up for the evening. Tell me about your background Asked specific questions about my current job (including what I dislike about it the most). Why do you need an MBA? Why do you want to go to Ross specifically (and have you visited the school – I had not)? How do you stand out compared to other students at Read more

Published: January 31, 2012

Tuck MBA Admissions Interview Questions: Round 3 (January Round) / On Campus / Student

I was interviewed for 40 minutes as opposed to 30 minutes. My interviewer right away said that it was a 45 minute interview. Although one of the persons I was waiting with had a 1 hour interview and the other had only a half hour interview. I guess the duration was not strictly 30 minutes. The questions were standard but asked in a different style. He asked all those questions using the resume. Questions asked: Walk me through your resume. Don’t worry about the time. Tell me about your undergrad experiences. What were your leadership roles and what were the Read more

Published: January 31, 2012

Columbia MBA Admissions Interview Questions: Regular Decision / Alum / Off-Campus

Off campus with a 2011 grad in NYC. The Questions Ethical Dilemma – she seemed to react well to my answer. Tell a time when you were a leader or what a leader means to you – Why MBA? What’d you do if you don’t get into any program? Post-MBA goals? Read more

Published: January 31, 2012

NYU / Stern MBA Admissions Interview Questions: Round 1 / On-Campus / Adcom

You are greeted with a t-shirt and a packet of information related to your interests. For myself it was Entertainment and Stern Women in Business. My interviewer came out a few minutes late to greet me, a member of the AdCom, and we made small talk on our way to the office about my trip to NYC. The interviewer started out by asking me about one of my interests listed on my resume. From there the interview became more like a job interview with very directed questions: Tell me about your job progression what are your strengths/weaknesses Why MBA now? Read more

Published: January 29, 2012

Columbia MBA Admissions Interview Questions: Regular Decision / Alum / Off-Campus

Applied to Columbia back in mid-October 2011 and received an invite to interview on December 23. Emailed all of my interview ambassadors (nine in total) and had to wait about a week and a half before the first one responded, most likely due to the holidays. Set up the interview on the following Friday January 13th with a recent alumn who just graduated in May. Sent him my resume beforehand. The interview was very informal – took place at a Starbucks. It lasted for about a hour and he asked me some obligatory questions to be filled out on the Read more

Published: January 29, 2012

Kellogg MBA Admissions Interview Questions: Round / AdCom / On Campus

The tone of my interview was conversational and the majority of questions the interviewer asked me I had seen before on this wiki. There were two, however, that I had not seen and that took me by surprise: What is a misconception people have about you? Kellogg involves a lot of quant work. Can you tell me where on your resume you’ve had experience with quant? (In retrospect, this was a predictable question as I come from a liberal arts background and it’s an obvious weak point in my application. Luckily, my answer was the same as my “Tell us Read more

Published: January 25, 2012

Berkeley / Haas EWMBA Admissions Interview Questions: Round 1 Evening & Weekend program / Adcom / On-campus

I interviewed for the EWMBA program at Haas Berkeley and following was my experience. The atmosphere was very good. Not too many people in the building possibly because it was around the finals week. The interview was application based. Interviewed with member of adcom. She was very friendly and put me to ease easily. Interview length: 1 hour Interview Questions: Walk me through your resume What are your short term and long term goals. Describe some of the leadership experiences Explain a circumstance when you had to convince someone to support you idea What will you bring to the Haas Read more

Published: January 23, 2012

NYU / Stern MBA Admissions Interview Questions: Round 1 / On-Campus / Adcom

You are greeted with a personalize packet with items that you are interested in. Mine had a club focused on Tennis, Racket ball, and Squash. I guess they thought my interest in Badminton was close enough. And you are also “awarded” a free NYU Stern T-shirt, available in most sizes. I was then called a few minutes earlier than the scheduled time. I think overall my interview was very friendly and conversational, and it lasted around 45 minutes like some of the others noted below. There was a lot of chitchat both before and after the formal interview as we Read more

Published: January 23, 2012

Kellogg MBA Admissions Interview Questions: Round 2 / Adcom / On-campus

Came to the interview early to prep and get comfortable. Got a chance to sit in on a class and some other activities day-of. Interviewer was very nice and direct. Here are the questions I can recall: Walk me through your professional career starting with undergrad (Standard) Handful of follow-up resume questions (Standard) Define your current role and responsibilities (Standard) Describe an example of professional leadership experience (Standard) Why an MBA, why now, why Kellogg (Standard) What three adjectives would your co-workers use to describe you (Unexpected) What is a common mis-conception that people have with you (Unexpected) Do you Read more

Published: January 23, 2012

Duke / Fuqua MBA Admissions Interview Questions: R1 / On Campus / Second Year Student

My interview was not as casual as some mentioned below, though still friendly. The interviewer read through a list of questions. Every single one was documented in the posts below. Here are those I remember: Why MBA? Why now? Why Duke? Please tell me about a time that you failed. What motivates you? How would you handle a situation in which a team member is not pulling his/her weight? What’s your leadership style? Tell me about your favorite boss. Why did you like him/her? What accomplishment are you most proud of? Please tell me about a time you went above Read more

Published: January 21, 2012

Kellogg MBA Admissions Interview Questions: Round 2 / Alum / Off-campus

The interview lasted over an hour and thirty minutes. He met me at a local coffee shop and arrived early (as did I). Took a few minutes setting up (had his computer open and was typing for most of it). Questions are listed below (in the order that I can remember them). Tell me a little about yourself Why undergrad? Why first job? Why second job and career switch (moved from finance to the development sector) Specific questions about current job (I was part of the founding team of a social enterprise- pretty unique model so spent several minutes discussing Read more

Published: January 18, 2012

Kellogg MBA Admissions Interview Questions: Round 2 Full-time / Adcom / On-campus

After reading the questions posted here for this year and prior years, I believe all the questions that I was asked are documented. However, I was slightly caught off guard by this one: If you didn’t get X job (from my short-term goals), where would you like to work instead? Interview lasted 45 minutes and was extremely disarming and comfortable. All the best! Read more

Published: January 17, 2012

Tuck MBA Admissions Interview Questions: Consortium/Round 1 (November) / Video Interview over Skype / Adcom

Interview questions: Where are you from? How was your undergraduate experience? Why an MBA? What do you want to do after your MBA? (long-term and short-term goals) What do you want to do during your internship? What is the most difficult piece of feedback that you received? What is your greatest accomplishment that you are most proud of? Tell me about a difficult team experience. Why did you apply through Consortium? Why Tuck? What made you apply to Tuck? Have you been to Hanover? What would you like to get involved in at Tuck? Are there any questions that you Read more

Published: January 17, 2012

Tuck MBA Admissions Interview Questions: Round 3 (January Round) / On Campus / Second-year Student

Interview type: applicant-initiated, blind My visit to campus began with my interview with a second-year. Hanover just received 6 inches of snow the day before so the logical first question was ‘how was the trip’? From discussions with students and alumni, this question is more geared to understanding whether you are comfortable coming all the way out to Hanover, so I would advise to answer back accordingly even if there is 20 inches of snow on the ground. The rest of the interview was relaxed, but not quite as relaxing as expected. There were one or two questions thrown out Read more

Published: January 17, 2012

Tuck MBA Admissions Interview Questions: Early Action (Accepted) / On Campus (applicant-initiated) / Second-year Student

I interviewed on campus in conjunction with a campus visit. My visit day began with the interview. I checked in at the admissions office and waited with other students as second years came in to meet their assigned interviewee. Once I met my interviewer we walked to our assigned room. There were many students interviewing that day so we walked to one of the on campus dorms and sat in a study room. It took us about five minutes to walk to the room so we had some time to talk casually before the interview actually began. I had driven Read more

Published: January 17, 2012

UVA / Darden MBA Admissions Interview Questions: Round One (Accepted) / On Campus / Second Year Student

I interviewed on campus with a second year student. There were numerous other activities scheduled for your interview day such as class visits and lunch with current students and professors. I had attended one of the Darden Open House days prior to my interview so I did not stay for any of the additional events. The student I interviewed with my very friendly and after answering the initial question it became much more conversational. The interview was completely blind without a copy of my resume. The interview began my student interviewer telling me that this was my opportunity to ‘tell Read more

Published: January 17, 2012

Duke / Fuqua MBA Admissions Interview Questions: November Round / On Campus / Second Year Student

I interviewed on campus in conjunction with Fuqua’s Weekend for Women, a three day recruiting event. All attendees were invited to interview during the event. Interviews were with second year students. Interviews were conducted after the first day of the event which included classes and speaker events. My interview was very casual and more of a conversation than specific questions. The interview was based off my resume but not any other information included in my application. The interview began with him asking me to walk him through my resume. This was the only specific question, after that it was more Read more

Published: January 17, 2012

Cornell / Johnson MBA Admissions Interview Questions: Round One (Accepted) / On Campus / Ad Com

I interviewed on campus in conjunction with the Johnson Women in Business event, a two day women’s recruiting event. I received an invitation to interview prior to the event but all attendees were invited to interview regardless of if an invitation had been extended yet. The interviews were the first part of the event followed by two days of class visits and speaker events. My interview was with a member of the admissions staff and the interview was relatively formal with structured questions. I had met the person with whom I interviewed at a prior open house in my area Read more

MBA Applywire

November 20, 2024 9:42pm ET

Applying: Babson / Olin, , Carnegie Mellon / Tepper, Emory / Goizueta, Rice / Jones, Rochester / Simon, SMU Cox, UCI Merage, Washington U. / Olin

Intake Year: 2025

Pre-MBA Career: Technology - Entrepreneurship

Post-MBA Target Industry: Consulting, Technology, Entrepreneurship

GRE: 333

GPA: 2.56

Years of Work Experience: 5

Location: Lagos

Notes:

I just got rejected for WashU Olin and I have an interview invitation with Questrom. GPA continues to bother me but I addressed it in my supporting essays.

November 19, 2024 12:51pm ET

Applying: Berkeley / Haas, Cornell / Johnson, Dartmouth / Tuck, Duke / Fuqua, INSEAD, Michigan / Ross, MIT Sloan, Northwestern / Kellogg, U. Chicago Booth, UPenn / Wharton, Yale SOM

Intake Year: 2025

Pre-MBA Career: Tech in government

Post-MBA Target Industry: Consulting, Entrepreneurship Companies: Bain , McKinsey

GRE: 319

GPA: 2.9

Years of Work Experience: 7

Notes:

I got cancer when I was undergrad that's why my undergrad GPA is low. After MBA I want to work in consulting then make a social impact in Africa through entrepreneurship

November 19, 2024 12:06pm ET

Applying: Duke / Fuqua, Harvard Business School, Michigan / Ross, Northwestern / Kellogg, Stanford GSB, U. Chicago Booth, U. Washington / Foster, UNC Kenan-Flagler, UT Austin / McCombs, UVA / Darden

Pre-MBA Career: Wealth Management and Military

Post-MBA Target Industry: Consulting, Asset Management, inc. HF, Other Companies: Bain , BCG , Deloitte , McKinsey , Goldman Sachs , JP Morgan Asset Management , State Street , Vanguard

GPA: 3.80

Years of Work Experience: 7

Location: San Diego

Post MBA Location: Chicago, Seattle, Minneapolis, Charlotte

Notes:

UG Degree: BBA Financial Markets at an Accredited Institution.

Civilian Work History: 3 years as Wealth Advisor under an RIA in Minneapolis and Denver. Total AUM of ~$350-400M, served as a salaried advisor in a primary and secondary capacity. Holistic services to include investment management, estate planning, retirement planning, insurance planning, tax planning, etc.

Military History: 4 years as a supply/logistics officer heading efforts for air/ground mobility, defense contracting, supply and procurement, and fiscal budget management while located at various bases within CONUS and multiple forward deployed locations.

Professional Certifications: Obtained Certified Financial Planner designation (2022) and Series 65 (2019).

November 18, 2024 12:50am ET

Applying: Columbia, Dartmouth / Tuck, Duke / Fuqua, Emory / Goizueta, NYU Stern, UNC Kenan-Flagler, Yale SOM

Intake Year: 2025

Pre-MBA Career: Consulting

Post-MBA Target Industry: Investment Banking Companies: Bank of America , Barclays , Citibank , Credit Suisse , Goldman Sachs , JP Morgan Chase

GRE: 323

GPA: 3.32

Years of Work Experience: 7

Notes:

Education:
- Combined Major in Economics and Statistics
- CFA Charterholder (passed all three levels on the first attempt)

Professional Experience:
- Manager at a Big 4 firm Specializing in capital projects and infrastructure, with a role similar to investment banking
- Seven years of experience, mainly in financial services in Ghana

Extracurricular Activities:
- Pro bono capital-raising services for SMEs
- Aspiring to run a full advisory firm for SMEs in the future
- CFA exam coaching and tutorial classes for candidates
- Founder of a travel and tour club offering affordable trips to explore beautiful and historic scenes in Ghana

Will being 32 years old affect the attractiveness of my candidacy?

November 17, 2024 9:24am ET

Applying: Columbia, , Georgetown / McDonough, Harvard Business School, INSEAD, NYU Stern, Oxford / Saïd, Stanford GSB, UCLA Anderson, Yale SOM

Pre-MBA Career: Higher Education

Post-MBA Target Industry: Consulting, Technology, Investment Banking, Venture Capital, Private Equity, Media, Undecided Companies: Bain , BCG , McKinsey , JP Morgan , Morgan Stanley , JP Morgan Chase , Apple , Google , Microsoft , Andressen Horowitz , Charles River , Sequoia Capital , Blackstone , KKR , 21st Century Fox , Comcast , Walt Disney

GPA: 3.97

Years of Work Experience: 5

Location: Denver, Colorado

Post MBA Location: New York City

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MBA LiveWire

November 23, 2024 12:41am ET

Accepted to SMU Cox

Round: Round 1

Received via email November 22, 2024

GPA: 3.6

GRE: 331

Program Type: Traditional Two-Year

Target Career: Marketing

Application Location: Delta, Nigeria

November 22, 2024 11:09pm ET

Accepted to NYU Stern

Round: Round 1

Received via portal November 22, 2024

GPA: 3.65

Program Type: One Year Program

Target Career: Technology

Application Location: NY

Note:

Submitted on 9/1, interview invite on 10/8, interviewed on 10/30. No phone call but portal updated on 11/22 around 1pm est. No scholarship..

November 22, 2024 8:42pm ET

Accepted to SMU Cox

Round: Round 1

Received via phone November 22, 2024

GPA: 3.9

Program Type: Traditional Two-Year

Target Career: Consulting

Application Location: Mississippi

November 22, 2024 8:34pm ET

Rejected at SMU Cox

Round: Round 1

Received via portal on November 21, 2024

GPA: 3.89/4

Program Type: Traditional Two-Year

Target Career: Consulting

Application Location: Asia

November 22, 2024 8:33pm ET

Accepted to Georgia Tech / Scheller

Round: Round 1

Received via email November 22, 2024

GPA: 3.76

GRE: 329

Program Type: Traditional Two-Year

Target Career: Technology

Application Location: Pakistan

Note:

Accepted with Full GRA

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