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Keep up with our most recent interview reports, and build your skills with our interview tips.
Published: November 9, 2021
Duke Fuqua Interview Questions & Report: Early Action / Second-Year Student / Zoom
A very casual conversation with the interviewer. The following questions were asked: 1. Why MBA? 2. Why Fuqua? 3. Biggest accomplishment? 4. Failure? 5. Experience working in a diverse team? 6. Tough feedback given to a junior? Why did you give it, and how did you react to it? 7. There was one more question, which I cannot remember right now. The interview lasted for 30 mins, and then we chatted for almost 20 minutes. Overall, the interview had no surprises except the last question. I liked the entire conversation, but strangely waitlisted Read more
Published: November 7, 2021
UVA Darden Interview Questions & Report: Round 1 / Second-Year Student / Zoom
Questions were based on whatever I told them. Started with the usual: (1) Tell me about yourself, where you grew up, what you did in college and what you do now? (2) Why MBA? Why Darden? (3) How did your experience living in various places and countries shape your perspectives? And what would it mean for you to be a part of a global community? (4) How do you manage your time during a hectic schedule? Very friendly interviewer and even told me at the start of the interview that they get course credit for doing these interviews, so this Read more
Published: November 3, 2021
Duke Fuqua Interview Questions & Report: Round 1 / Second-Year Student / Zoom
I had my interview during the open period, with a 2nd-year student. She was very friendly and welcoming, and we had a great back-and-forth that felt natural and conversational. She had a copy of my resume. 1. Walk me through your resume. 2. What are your ST and LT goals? 3. Why are you pursuing an MBA, and why Duke? 4. What kind of person are you in a team? 5. What’s your biggest strength and weakness? Can you name a time when you exemplified that strength? 6. Who’s a leader that you look up Read more
Published: November 3, 2021
UVA Darden Interview Questions & Report: Round 1 / Adcom / Zoom
It was a pretty relaxed interview! It was with an adcom member, and she set the general expectation that I’d be doing most of the talking as I walked her through my profile and reasons for doing an MBA. It was also blind, and she had not seen my resume at all. Here’s what was asked: 1. Tell me about yourself. (This went on for quite long, I wanna say 15-20 minutes, and I covered my background to current role/ECs with some follow-ups in between) 2. Why are you pursuing an MBA, and why is now the right time? Read more
Published: November 3, 2021
UVA Darden Interview Questions & Report: Round 1 / Second-Year Student / Zoom
The blind-interview lasted 30 minutes, was very fair and conversational. The student asked me the regular questions: (10-12 minutes) 1. Tell me about yourself. 2. Why MBA, why now, why Darden? We moved after to discuss behavioral situations: (10 minutes) 1. Tell me a time when you showed leadership. 2. Describe to me your biggest accomplishment. 3. Tell me a time when you faced diversity. What did you learn from that? Lastly, I ended up asking her 3 questions. This is it basically. I prepared for much more difficult questions, but it Read more
Published: November 3, 2021
CBS Interview Questions & Report: Early Decision / Alum / Virtual
Pretty conversational Alum was senior – Class of 2008 Standard questions resume based. Tell me about yourself. Few questions on career achievements. Few on Extra curriculars. Why MBA? Why Columbia? Why now? It was very 2 way. Lots of opportunity to ask about the interviewer’s Bschool experience. Read more
Published: November 2, 2021
UCLA Anderson Interview Questions & Report: Round 1 / Second-Year Student / Zoom
Resume-based interview with a 2nd. Pretty standard questions: Tell me about yourself. Why MBA? Why now? Why Anderson? Why are you a good fit for Anderson? Long-term goals? Plan B for short-term goals? Tell me about a time you used your strengths to help a team reach a goal. The interviewer was really friendly and did a really good job of making it feel like a conversation. I think it speaks well to the type of students Anderson accepts. Read more
Published: November 1, 2021
Episode 196—Wharton Team-Based Discussion (TBD) Tips
In this special edition of the podcast, your hosts Alex Brown and Graham Richmond break down Wharton’s group interview – known as the Team Based Discussion (TBD) – and offer a wealth of tips and background to help applicants ace it. Alex and Graham, who both formerly worked in admissions at Wharton, set out to tell you everything you need to know to be successful in your Wharton TBD. They’ll discuss: The history of the TBD Why Wharton uses it How to prepare for it How to perform in it What this year’s Read more
Published: October 28, 2021
Chicago Booth Interview Questions & Report: Round 1 / Second-Year Student / Zoom
I benefitted a lot from reading reports myself, so figured I’d pay it forward! Overall, my interview was very friendly and engaging. I was super pleased with how it went – although obviously that’s just from my side of the table and the interview is really just one component of the application. Interview was resume-based and with a second-year MBA student. After some quick small talk and an introduction by my interviewer, here’s how the questions generally flowed: – Please tell me a bit more about your current role (I work in university commercialization, so not a common field Read more
Published: October 28, 2021
UVA Darden Interview Questions & Report: Round 3 / Second-Year Student / Zoom
I was interviewed by a 2nd-year student. (1) Tell me about yourself: 10-15 mins monologue. (2) There were counter-question in that monologue – For example, what was the most difficult part in that particular experience? (3) Any example of a conflict with Boss and how it was managed? (4) Why now going for an MBA is a good time? (5) Why Darden? (6) What would you find most difficult for you in a learning team? (7) Anything that you wished I had asked? We went into detail in some of the answers. Read more
Published: October 27, 2021
Wharton’s Team-Based Discussion Prompt 2021-2022
The prompt for the Wharton School’s Team-Based Discussion (TBD) for the 2021-2022 MBA admissions season is below. The exercise focuses on Wharton Interactive, a new initiative in online, game-based learning. The prompt is: “A few weeks ago Wharton announced the official launch of Wharton Interactive, a venture dedicated to transforming teaching through interactive games and simulations. Wharton Interactive has a unique team of interactive fiction writers, pedagogy experts, game designers, and programmers. This venture is the first major effort by any university to create a scalable and fully automated platform built on simulations, interactivity, Read more
Published: October 27, 2021
Vanderbilt Owen Interview Questions & Report: Round 1 / Second-Year Student / Virtual
Conversational interview that started with where I was at the time, segued into short conversation before he explained the format and started with questions. 1. Walk me through your resume. 2. Why MBA and why now? 3. Why Owen? 4. What do you do outside of work? 5. What other schools did you apply to? 6. What would get involved in at Owen outside of the classroom? 7. Tell me about a time that you worked on something that had a negative result. How did you respond? 8. How would your superiors at Read more
Published: October 26, 2021
UCLA Anderson Interview Questions & Report: Round 1 / Second-Year Student / Zoom
Normal questions asked: resume walkthrough, tell me about your goals, plan b, why mba, how did you handle a conflict at work, etc. Not feeling good about this interview. I think I did ok, but felt a complete lack of connection to the interviewer. Tried to ask them multiple questions while I was speaking, but didn’t get much back from them. They seemed bored/lukewarm (although polite) for most of the time. This is odd for me as I’m usually pretty good at connecting with people and am easy to talk to. Read more
Published: October 24, 2021
Toronto Rotman Interview Questions & Report: Early Application Round / Adcom / Zoom
The conversation was very easy going, we spent about 5 minutes talking about the latest happenings/news in our area. I did a pre-application meeting before (with the same Adcom member), so the Adcom member did not ask me to run through my resume because I already did in the earlier meeting. Interview questions include: 1. Why Rotman? 2. What are your post-MBA goals? 3. Tell me about a time when you had to put your goals aside for the better of others. 4. Tell me about a time when you fostered Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Read more
Published: October 20, 2021
Ace Your MBA Interview: Clear Admit’s Interview Guides
The MBA interview—the nail-biting, stomach-churning, sleep-robbing component of the MBA application process that ties some applicants up in knots—is upon us. But there’s no reason to fret: not with Clear Admit’s in-depth Interview Guide Series as part of your arsenal. Providing expert advice and insider tips on what to expect and how to prepare, these guides are ready and waiting to help you conquer your jitters and ace your interview. The Clear Admit Interview Guides include first-hand interview accounts submitted by real applicants over the years through our Interview Archive. The Clear Admit team has Read more
Published: October 17, 2021
Northwestern Kellogg Interview Questions & Report: Round 1 / Adcom / Zoom
Interviewed by adcom. Blind interview, resume based. Following questions asked: 1. Share about your educational background. 2. Walk through your resume and explain different parts. 3. Explain your role and responsibilities at the job. 4. How would you describe your leadership style (with example)? 5. How do you work with people from different backgrounds (with example)? 6. How would people you work with define you? 7. What does ‘being resilient’ mean to you (with example)? Read more
Published: October 17, 2021
Spooky Admissions Mistakes: Nightmares for AdCom Members
Let’s pumpkin spice things up! As Halloween approaches, we wanted to take a look at some of the most chilling nightmares that adcom members can face when evaluating MBA applicants. So, what are the scariest mistakes an MBA applicant can make? Clear Admit co-founder Graham Richmond shares his insights below so you can avoid admissions missteps like the houses that hand out raisins for Halloween treats. 1. Don’t Wear an Icarus Costume One of the scariest things for an admissions office is to encounter an applicant with a Read more
Published: October 14, 2021
Duke Fuqua Interview Questions & Report: Early Action / Second-Year Student / Zoom
The interview experience was the best so far, tied only with Tuck. Very focused, opened, and friendly interview. It just had 2 curve balls*, totalling 9 questions + follow-up question in 45min. Good luck everyone! 🙂 Here are the questions: – Walk me through your resume – Why an MBA? – Why Fuqua? – Example when you received feedback; and how did you incorporate this feedback in your career? – What makes you a good leader?* – What are your goals? – What are your plans in case you don’t get accepted? – Read more
Published: October 13, 2021
Yale SOM Interview Questions & Report: Round 1 / Second-Year Student / Zoom
Interview was very casual and conversational. The student interviewing me noted that he had a few questions he was obligated to ask, and would be taking notes, but overall the tone was more conversational than formal. Questions 1. Tell me about yourself, specifically why MBA? 2. Why MBA now? 3. Short / long term goals? 4. Questions asked about success / failure at work – learning takeaways from both. 5. About a time you listened to a different perspective at work and change your point of view / answer. 6. Asked about the quote Read more
Published: October 5, 2021
Duke Fuqua Interview Questions & Reports: Round 1 / Second-Year Student / Zoom
This interview was conducted during the Open Interview Round by a 2nd year student. Although the environment was pretty casual, we went through a good amount of interview questions. I wrote down as much as I could remember: 1. She first introduced herself and provided a brief overview of the agenda before we started. 2. Tell me about yourself / Walk me through your resume. 3. Why MBA and why now? 4. Why Fuqua? 5. What is your leadership style? 6. What are 3 traits your friends/family would use to describe you? 7. Share Read more
Published: October 2, 2021
Northwestern / Kellogg Interview Questions & Report: Round 1 / Alumnus / Video
The interview was casual and friendly. It took about 35 min and the alumnus spent another 10 min to answer my questions. Good luck to everyone! Questions: • Tell me about yourself. • What’s your short-term & long-term goal? • Why MBA and Why Kellogg? • How would you describe your leadership style and what does leadership mean to you? • Tell me a time when you had to manage a different (difficult) person. • Tell me a time when you failed at something, how you demonstrated your resilience. • Why now (specifically Read more
Published: September 16, 2021
Dartmouth Tuck Interview Questions & Report: Round 1 / Second-Year Student / Zoom
Interview was casual and student was friendly. However, order of questions was unexpected. Student asked: -Do you like your current job? How did you get there? -How did you obtain your first job? -What are the top 3 factors that led you to your success? -Tell me a time where you had to work under a deadline. -What are your ST and LT goals? -What would you like your legacy to be at Tuck? -What do you envision being your biggest challenge at Tuck? -Tell me a time when you had to deliver Read more
Published: September 13, 2021
Duke Fuqua Interview Questions & Report: Round 1 / Student / Zoom
Student only had a copy of my resume and in general it was a relaxed atmosphere. Their Zoom connection was bad and they kept buffering as we were talking, but we got through the interview alright. Overall, I thought it was good, she didn’t give any indication one way or the other, but hoping it went well. Only two surprise questions as outlined below, pretty common straightforward questions otherwise. Wrote down as many as I could remember: What is DQ and how would you define qualities of DQ? – They had to define this for me as “decency quotient” and Read more
Published: September 8, 2021
Dartmouth Tuck Interview Questions & Report: Round 1 / Second-Year Student / Zoom
Interviewed this morning. Started exactly on time and took just under 40 minutes. The conversation began with very brief friendly small talk asking me where I was located and how I was doing. The questions were fairly standard interview questions that she asked from a list she had. She was very responsive throughout, which made it easy to feel that she cared about and was interested in what I was saying. Walk me through your resume in more context. Why an MBA? Why Tuck? What are your short-term and long-term goals? Why is now the right Read more
Published: July 18, 2021
Toronto Rotman Interview Questions & Report: Round 1 / Adcom / Microsoft Teams
The interviewer asked me to keep my answers succinct and related to only latest experience in my life (both personal and professional). All of the questions and follow ups got completed in 30 minutes. The questions asked were: Can you walk me through your resume? Why did you choose your line of work? Why did you leave/stick with it ? What are your biggest achievements in your latest career growth? After having worked for X years, what got you excited for your MBA? What are the post-MBA goals that you have? And why? If you Read more

MBA Applywire

9
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.
11
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
10
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).
7
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?
10
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 22, 2024 5:21pm ET
Accepted to Toronto / Rotman
Round: Round 1
Received via email November 22, 2024
GPA: 3.6
GMAT: 770
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
November 22, 2024 4:57pm ET
Accepted to NYU Stern
Round: Round 1
Received via phone November 22, 2024
GPA: 4.6/5
GRE: 321
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Target Career: Consulting
Application Location: Abuja
Note:

Full tuition scholarship. Stern Advance Women in Business Scholarships.
November 22, 2024 4:41pm ET
Applied to Harvard Business School
Round: Round 2
Received via n/a
GPA: 3.7
GRE: 331
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Target Career: Consulting
Application Location: Los Angeles
Note:

Starting the R2 conversation here. T15 graduate, MBB consultant --> nonprofit strategy, hoping it's enough of a differentiator
November 22, 2024 3:59pm ET
Accepted to Ohio State / Fisher
Round: Early Decision
Received via email November 22, 2024
GPA: 8.89
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Target Career: Consulting
Application Location: India
Note:

Received a full ride!
November 22, 2024 3:56pm ET
Accepted to Georgetown / McDonough
Round: Round 2
Received via phone November 22, 2024
GPA: 3.91
Target Career: Technology
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