I had a interview on-campus at the Cornell Johnson School yesterday for the November application round. To my surprise, the admission staff didn’t even mention other options, just let me choose which time is OK for me to have the interview on campus. I drove up the morning before from New York City (4 hour drive), toured around the campus, talked to some students I contacted before and stayed at the super8 motel downtown(cheap but great). On campus parking is free for admission visitors, so don’t worry about parking. Just drive to one of the four info booth and identify yourself as admission visitor they’ll give a parking permit, a map and a clear direction about where to park, how to get there. (the staff in the info booth was a pretty blonde student worked as a part-time!)
My interview was with a 2nd year student who had already signed his offer, so he really spent some time reading my resume and made marks and prepared specific questions. We talked in one of the breakout room (no. 121). Although it’s a blind interview, I found the interview a little bit challenging than other reported interviews but the interviewer was nice and I believe I’ve also prepared well. It lasted about 50 minutes.
Questions Asked:
- I’ve read through your resume and let’s start with your most recent one, ok?
- The employment gap? what did you do?
- Why MBA?
- why now?
- which specific area and location are you interested in? (related to my goal)
- what’s your 3 strongest strengths and weakness?
- How will you work in a difficult team situation, when someone don’t even care to contribute?
- What other schools are you applying to?
- what activities will you join if admitted? anything specifically interested in Johnson?
- What questions do you have for me?
- In addition to these questions he asked many follow-up questions that were specific to my responses.
I also scheduled a class visit / information session / lunch (only 7 dollar coupon for 1 person, other schools I visited even provided for my girl friend) / tour with current students, which I found not so helpful.
When I drove back to NY in the afternoon, the snow came. The Pocono Mt was all in snow and very difficult to even see the road. The location of Ithaca really is a problem for some others, but I’m OK.
