I met all the three potential interviewers in an information session a month before the interview invite. They are all nice, interesting and financial guys. One (’08 alum) of three interviewers knows me so well and it is unethical for him to interview me. One (’96 alum) just arrived in our place and seems to have a generation gap with me. I chose the one (’01 alum) who has done the interview for all CBS applicants in my place thus far despite that 70% interviewees have been dinged after interviews with him (it doesn’t seem to be because of him but the school decision). Actually, I personally like him the best and i had decided that if i was up for an interview I would choose him. I had trouble scheduling with my interviewer since he wanted to interview me right away but I couldn’t arrange my time by then. Finally, he agreed to interview a week later.
The interview was on November 21. It was very conversational and comfortable. The alum was really nice. All the questions are standard: Why MBA, Why Columbia, other school, why now, why my goal, leadership twice and ethical dilemma twice, why switch as my resume was fragmented with 4 interesting yet unrelated jobs since college. I couldn’t articulate well my goal and why now. Fortunately i wasn’t freaked out by that during the interview so I did well all the rest especially leadership and ethical dilemma. But in retrospect, I’m scared that this would jeopardize my admission as i am a young applicant. And for the most part, goal question is determinant and to prove my maturity.
We chatted between questions and discussed my job a little bit. He noted down my answers in his notebook and I could see they were very very main points. In my turn to ask questions, i asked him why Columbia, why his jobs, classes in CBS, social activities. He said that he would spend more time for me and i had to come up with some more questions reluctantly. He was not so excited as expected when talking about CBS. He appeared pretty neutral and I couldn’t read his reaction although he seemed okay with me and liked the conversation. At close, he told me that he would reports good things for me but that he couldn’t decide my admissions.
Next morning, i got notification that Columbia received his feedback. I felt that he did report good things about me. However, if elsewhere in the report he implied my immaturity (if any) I would say goodbye to Columbia the only school I have applied to till now.
