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MBA – Applications – Interview

Nowadays interviews are, if not required, highly encouraged. It is not necessary to interview on campus. In general, interviews are easily arranged in most major cities in the US and abroad. In general, interviews are scheduled to be 30 minutes long but many applicants find the meeting going longer especially at schools to which they are accepted. Performing well in an interview is a skill; it must be practiced. By focusing on some of the likely questions you may be asked, reviewing your applications, so as not to contradict yourself, and thinking over again how your experience has led you to want to go business school, you will be able to come across as an intelligent, committed, knowledgeable individual, ready to be a part of the schools for which you interview.

An interview is a test of those skills not so readily apparent in the other parts of your application-are you a good communicator, are you charming and able to relay your passion to others verbally? Schools seek applicants who are strong on paper as well as in person. Following the interview, the interviewer generally sends his or her recommendation and/or evaluation to the school.

Schools are interested in discovering your degree of interest in them and whether you are truly a candidate who has something to offer the school at this point in your career.

Here is a summary of the most important things you have to know about interviewing with a business school.

	As you have already done for your application, make sure you have done your research. Your interviewer will quickly be able to distinguish between an applicant that has developed some understanding of a school's background and one that has not.
	Practice interviewing for Business School with a friend or colleague. Talk to people on the admissions staff to learn more about the school. This will also help you become more comfortable discussing the school and yourself.
	Think of good questions to ask your interviewer. This is a good opportunity for you learn as well! Think of interesting questions and match them to your interviewer.
	Write a Thank-you note. Be sure to mail a thank-you note either on the day of the interview or the day after your interview.

Important things to Avoid:

	DO NOT BE DISHONEST. People can read through such dishonesty quickly.
	DO NOT BE UNPREPARED. Do your research. Talk to people. Practice interviewing.
	DO NOT DEMONSTRATE INCONSISTENCY. Both in your answers at the interview and between your interview and your application, do not give the interviewer and thus the school any reasons to think you are flaky and fickle.