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Interviews

Keep up with our most recent interview reports, and build your skills with our interview tips.
Published: September 30, 2020
HBS Announces Timing of Round 1 Interview Invitations and Early Release
Did you apply to Harvard Business School in Round 1? Get ready for some big application news from the school on Tuesday, October 6th at noon EST. In a post to the Direct from the Director’s blog, Managing Director of HBS admissions Chad Losee wrote that Round 1 applicants can expect the following: “In your application status page, you will hear one of three things: Invite to interview – this is good news! Further consideration – Also positive! This is a small group of strong applicants that we Read more
Published: September 29, 2020
Vanderbilt Owen Interview Questions & Report: Round 1 / Second-Year Student / Virtual
My interviewer was a second year student who was a fellow veteran. The tone was very conversational and the interviewer noted that all he knew about me was from the resume I included in my application. Questions included: Introduction (elevator speech) What is your post-MBA/short-term career goal? Why pursue an MBA now? If you were to get into every school you applied to, why Owen? What skill do you want to develop while in school? What value can you bring to your class? Describe a time you had a difficult professional relationship and what you did to resolve the issue. Read more
Published: September 20, 2020
UVA Darden Interview Questions: Early Action / Second-year Student / Skype
As expected, the interviewer gave me 15-20 minutes to run through my life story, resume, why I am seeking an MBA. Additional questions asked were regarding diversity. “Provide me with a time you worked in a diverse environment?” “Why is diversity important?” Interviewer provided 10 minutes at the end to answer questions about her background/experience at Darden. Read more
Published: September 20, 2020
Duke Fuqua Interview Questions & Report: Early Action / Second-year Student / Skype
Interview started with the standard “run me through your resume,” “why MBA, why now.” As expected, the interviewer then proceeded to ask 8-10 behavioral questions. To list a few: Tell me a time you had to win over a colleague on your viewpoint. How would you describe your communication style to those at your level versus those above you? Tell me about your greatest professional achievement. Tell me about a conflict at work and how you overcame it. Describe a time you led a team. Describe your leadership style. Interviewer also asked how I would be involved at Fuqua and Read more
Published: July 8, 2020
USC Marshall Interview Questions & Report: Round 5 / Adcom / Skype
I was interviewed by Elaine. Very similar experience as what has been reported here. She was very nice, and the interview was casual and straightforward. The questions she asked me took about 15 min, then I filled up the remaining time with questions to ask her. I would prepare 5 – 7 questions to save for the end. She was happy to hear that I had connected with current students, so definitely try to do that prior to interviewing. Questions: Tell me about your undergrad/ Why did you choose your undergrad major? Resume walk through. Why MBA? Read more
Published: June 28, 2020
Northwestern Kellogg Interview Questions: Deferred Admission / Adcom / Skype
Walk me through your resume. Tell me about a time when you showed leadership. Tell me about a time when you worked in a diverse team. Why Kellogg? What are your career goals? Read more
Published: June 28, 2020
MIT Sloan Interview Questions: Deferred Admission / Adcom / Skype
Are there any updates to your application? Tell me a time when you worked with a difficult person. Tell me a time when you demonstrated leadership. Tell me about any advice you’ve received recently. Why Sloan? What are your career goals? Read more
Published: June 24, 2020
USC Marshall Interview Questions & Report: Round 5 / Adcom / Skype
As others have already written, the interview was very laid-back and casual. Elaine was very kind and started with some small talk, which put me at ease. The questions were exactly as others have already posted, very straight-forward: resume walk-through, why MBA, why Marshall, what are you most proud of?, what do you do in your free time?, do you have any questions for me? The questions she asked only lasted about 15 minutes and the rest of the time was spent with me asking her my questions. It was a very positive experience! Read more
Published: June 22, 2020
MIT Sloan Interview Questions & Report: Round 3 / Adcom / Skype
It went pretty well. The interviewer asked me about three questions in the thirty-minute time frame and it was over before I knew it. One behavioral question she asked was about a time I had to push back or experienced conflict with a superior in the workplace. She seemed to like my answers but you can never be so sure. Hoping for the best!! Read more
Published: June 8, 2020
CBS Interview Questions & Report: Deferred Program / Adcom / Online
Went well. Very focused on undergrad experience and why I made the decisions I did. Classic Why MBA and Why Columbia questions. Hoping for good news. Read more
Published: June 8, 2020
Rice Jones Interview Questions & Report: Rolling Admission / Adcom / Zoom
The interview was for the MBA@Rice online program. The interview was conducted via Zoom and it was only 30 minutes. There are only 5 questions so make sure to fit everything you want to say in them. These were the 5 questions: First impressions are lasting impressions – give your two minute elevator pitch. Why are you pursuing your MBA? What is the specific reason you like the Rice MBA program? What is your most successful example of teamwork? What was your worst project? Read more
Published: June 8, 2020
Rice Jones Interview Questions & Report: Round 3 / Skype
The interview was pleasant and conversational, lasting 30 minutes. He asked about leadership, conflict, and my career goals; he also asked which clubs I will be interested in and how involved I will be with campus culture, and, how I plan to juggle the Professional program with a full time career. Read more
Published: June 4, 2020
HBS Interview Questions & Report: Round 2 / Adcom / Off-Campus
I initially scheduled a Skype interview, but finally decided to fly to Dubai for an in-person interview, which is better for me as I was not sure about how convincing I seem on a webcam.  I arrived 20 minutes prior the interview as requested and the lady called me 1 min before the interview time, allowing me to enter the room and start on time. The discussion started with 2 min news related topics and we jumped into a resume-based interview. The questions are below. Overall, the person was very friendly, no softball questions, but a lot of followup questions. Read more
Published: June 2, 2020
Berkeley Haas Interview Questions & Report: Round 2 / Alum / Off-Campus
Context: My Round 2 Berkeley Haas interview occurred in mid-March 2020, was with an alum in the Boston area, and was blind, or i.e. the interviewer had only seen my resume. I was invited to interview in mid-February about 5 weeks after I submitted my application in January on the Round 2 deadline day. I have been admitted and was notified via a phone call a day before the decision deadline. Experience Overview and Summary: As many have people have written, the interview was easy going. My interviewer helped me feel comfortable and our conversation seemed very casual. Read more
Published: May 20, 2020
MIT Sloan Interview Questions & Report: Round 3 / Adcom / Skype
Skype Interview during COVID-19. It total lasted about 30 minutes. Interviewer was dressed informally in an oxford shirt and zip sweater. Began with small talk about the current COVID situation / weather. Interviewer asked standard MIT questions: 1. Do you have any updates since your application was submitted? 2. Tell me about your current role. 3. Why MBA, Why Now, Why Sloan? 4. Tell me about a significant accomplishment / success within the last year. 5. Tell me about a time you worked with a difficult person. 6. Tell me about a time you Read more
Published: May 6, 2020
Northwestern Kellogg Interview Questions & Report: Round 1 / Alumnus / Off-campus
My interview was supposed to be in the interviewer’s office, but he forgot his pass to enter so we went to a cafeteria nearby. He only had my resume. Questions: 1. Walk me through your resume. 2. Why an MBA? 3. Why Kellogg? 4. What are your post-MBA goals? 5. What will you contribute to Kellogg? 6. Talk about your leadership style and how will Kellogg help you be a better one. 7. If you had extra time to talk to the admissions team to tell them something that you weren’t able to Read more
Published: May 5, 2020
LBS Interview Questions & Report: Round 3 / Alumnus / Zoom
Fairly relaxed and conversational interview with a really friendly alumni interviewer, matched on the basis of my entrepreneurial ambitions and his expertise in the field. He had clearly studied my application thoroughly. Standard Questions: 1) Walk me through your CV and then talk about your interest in the MBA. 2) Why LBS? 3) International Experience? 4) Trends in my Industry – my opinion on where I thought it would go (COVID aside). 5) What other schools did you apply for? 6) Diversity of teams and how will you deal with LBS’ diverse class? Read more
Published: April 7, 2020
UCLA Anderson Interview Questions & Report: Round 2 / Second-Year Student / On-Campus
I participated in the school’s Super Saturday interview day on Saturday, February 1st. My interview took place at 11:15AM, and afterward the school provided lunch and a half-day of programming. I loved having the chance to connect with potential classmates, see the new building, and learn about the school’s offerings. It was super informative and an efficient use of time. My interview was with a second-year student, also a woman, and it was blind. We went into a private room and she had a printed copy of my resume that she had already read through. Overall, the questions were fairly Read more
Published: April 1, 2020
Chicago Booth Interview Questions & Report: Round 2 / Alumnus / Off-campus
Very casual interview, more behavioral in nature. Was not application based, interviewees are asked to send their resumes to the interviewer ahead of time. Asked about previous work experience, talked about some of the projects that I have worked on and interactions with team members. Asked about my goals and motivations for an MBA and why Booth. Nothing out of left field, very conversational. Read more
Published: March 31, 2020
Chicago Booth Interview Questions & Report: Round 1 / Alumnus / Off-campus
The interview was blind and was conducted at a local coffee shop not far from my home. I received the interview invite during the last day of the invite release, and it took around 1 week to schedule the interview with an alumnus. From the start, it was clear that the interview was meant to be more conversational and casual, and the setting was perfectly conducive for that objective. The questions I was asked were fairly straightforward and standard, and I didn’t feel that there were any “gotcha” moments. It really seemed that the interviewer was trying to gauge my Read more
Published: March 30, 2020
Michigan Ross Interview Questions & Report: Round 2 / Second-Year Student / On-Campus
Out of all the schools I applied to, Ross by far had the most structured day and was the most well-coordinated, well-planned and immersive experience. I really appreciated this about Ross. Everything from the complimentary notebooks, breakfast spread, tight schedule and availability of adcom/students really made a very good impression on me. Check-in started early in the day and the whole group of interviewees were then split into two groups to interview. My interviewer was a current student who was very engaging and well-meaning. No surprise questions here besides going through your resume, normal behavioral questions, why Ross and questions Read more
Published: March 29, 2020
Dartmouth Tuck Interview Questions & Report: Round 1 / Second-Year Student / Skype
Hi! The interview lasted for approximately 30 minutes and was held by a second-year student. It was very informal, but the student had a list of questions he had to stick to. 1. Tell me about yourself. 2. Why Tuck? 3. Why an MBA now? 4. Tell me a time when you had conflicts within your team. 5. How will your friends describe you? 6. Any question for me? Read more
Published: March 29, 2020
Cornell Johnson Interview Questions & Report: Round 2 / Adcom / Skype
I interviewed mid-January with an adcom member for the 2Y MBA program. The interview was conversational and not at all a stress interview and lasted for ~30 minutes. The interviewer had read my resume and not essays or other aspects of my application (a semi-blind interview). Below were the questions he asked: 1. Walk me through your CV. 2. Brief on LT and ST goals, followed by why MBA? 3. Why Johnson? 4. As I currently work in my family business and had worked with a consulting firm before, he asked advantages and disadvantages of working in Read more
Published: March 29, 2020
NYU Stern Interview Questions & Report: Round 3 / AdCom / Zoom
The interview was conducted via Zoom due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The interviewer was a member of AdCom who was very friendly. Overall, the interview had a very conversational tone and was not stressful at all. We mostly covered standard business school questions and there were very few behavioral questions, but this could be because they did not have any, given what they saw in my application. Here are the questions as best as I can remember them: 1. Icebreaker diving into one of my Pick Six pictures/captions. 2. Tell me about your current role and why you selected Read more
Published: March 28, 2020
Cornell Johnson Interview Questions & Report: Round 3 / Adcom / Skype
1. Why are you pursuing an MBA now? 2. Tell me about your experience working in a multicultural environment. What did you learn? 3. Tell me about a professional experience, where you failed, how did you manage the failure? 4. What is your leadership style? Give an example where you learned about yourself working in a team environment. 5. What are your short-term and long-term goal? 6. Tell me about your current work and educational background. Why did you choose this path? 7. Tell me about a time when you had to work with Read more

MBA Applywire

5
December 23, 2024 7:48am ET
Applying: Duke / Fuqua, Emory / Goizueta, Georgia Tech / Scheller, UNC Kenan-Flagler, Vanderbilt / Owen
Intake Year: 2025
Pre-MBA Career: Sports
Post-MBA Target Industry: Consulting, Family Business, Other Companies: Accenture , Deloitte
GMAT: 655
GPA: 3.89
Years of Work Experience: 3
Location: South
Notes:

NCAA DI Athlete
Selected for the industry's inaugural women's leadership academy
Variety of volunteer work in and out of my work industry
6
December 23, 2024 12:19am ET
Applying: Cornell / Johnson, Michigan / Ross, MIT Sloan, UCLA Anderson, UT Austin / McCombs, UVA / Darden
Intake Year: 2025
Pre-MBA Career: Construction & RE (2nd Gen Entrepreneur)
Post-MBA Target Industry: Investment Banking, Venture Capital, Private Equity, Asset Management, inc. HF, Family Business Companies: Citibank , Credit Suisse , Morgan Stanley
GRE: 326
GPA: 3.80
Years of Work Experience: 5
2
December 22, 2024 5:00pm ET
Applying: Columbia, Duke / Fuqua
Intake Year: 2025
Pre-MBA Career: Finance
Post-MBA Target Industry: Other
GMAT: 730
GPA: 3.4
Years of Work Experience: 5
13
December 22, 2024 2:49pm ET
Applying: Berkeley / Haas, Carnegie Mellon / Tepper, Duke / Fuqua, Harvard Business School, Michigan / Ross, MIT Sloan, Northwestern / Kellogg, NYU Stern, Stanford GSB, U. Chicago Booth, UPenn / Wharton, UVA / Darden, Yale SOM
Pre-MBA Career: Cloud Engineer
Post-MBA Target Industry: Consulting, Technology, Private Equity, Pharmaceutical, Consumer Goods, Entrepreneurship Companies: Bain , BCG , Amazon , Apple , Google , Bain Capital , Blackstone , Goldman Sachs Principal Investment Group , Johnson & Johnson , Nike
GRE: 324
GPA: 3.42
Years of Work Experience: 3
Location: Virginia
Post MBA Location: anywhere
Notes:

I graduated with a degree in Computer Science and a minor in Psychology. At work I'm involved in many Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives. I regularly volunteer and speak to high school school students on STEAM careers(art included) and hold resume review workshops/interactive labs. I have also spoken at many summits continuing to empower others to adopt new technologies. I would love to get an MBA to continue my passion for mentoring/professional development and democratizing technology! I've always been interested in learning how marketing, finance and other departments interact and operate within an organization and I want to develop crucial skills that make me well rounded enough to be an impactful leader and entrepreneur post-MBA.
6
December 22, 2024 6:32am ET
Applying: Cornell / Johnson, Michigan / Ross, MIT Sloan, UNC Kenan-Flagler, UVA / Darden, Vanderbilt / Owen
Intake Year: 2025
Pre-MBA Career: Construction & RE (2nd Gen Entrepreneur)
Post-MBA Target Industry: Technology, Investment Banking, Venture Capital, Private Equity, Asset Management, inc. HF, Commercial Banking, Family Business Companies: Citibank , Deutsche Bank , Morgan Stanley , Accell Partners , Andressen Horowitz , First Round Capital , Sequoia Capital , Bain Capital , Blackstone , Goldman Sachs Principal Investment Group , Blackrock , Goldman Sachs , JP Morgan Asset Management , State Street , Citibank , Morgan Stanley
GRE: 326
GPA: 3.80
Years of Work Experience: 5
Location: India
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MBA LiveWire

December 23, 2024 10:00am ET
Accepted to Northwestern / Kellogg
Round: Round 1
Received via email
GMAT: 695
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Target Career: Consulting
Application Location: Taiwan
December 22, 2024 9:40pm ET
Applied to Berkeley / Haas
Round: Round 2
Received via portal
GPA: 3.85
GRE: 339
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Target Career: Finance
Application Location: Brooklyn, New York
December 22, 2024 1:36pm ET
Accepted to UT Austin / McCombs
Round: Round 1
Received via email on December 16, 2024
GRE: 319
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Target Career: Consulting
Application Location: United Kingdom
Note:

$20k merit scholarship offer.
December 22, 2024 12:04pm ET
Accepted to Stanford GSB
Round: Round 1
Received via phone
GPA: 3.7
GMAT: 750
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Target Career: Technology
Application Location: Asia
December 22, 2024 4:59am ET
Accepted to UPenn / Wharton
Round: Round 1
Received via portal
GMAT: 730
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Target Career: Finance
Application Location: Southeast Asia
Note:

Elated and did not expect it!
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