Aside from your personal statement, the MBA application interview is one of the things that you need to pass with flying colors in order to ensure a slot in your chosen school. Connecticut College shares some tips on how to ace the interview.
Be yourself, be on time, and be physically prepared
- Be yourself. The goal of the interview is to get to know you.
- Be on time. Plan on arriving 10 to 15 minutes early.
- Be prepared to engage in conversation for about a half hour.
- Wear appropriate clothing.
Never be late for an admissions interview. This will only leave you with minus points on your application. Another important thing you have to do before the interview is to prepare. Prepare yourself emotionally, psychologically, and physically. You have to wear a suit or any clothing that best suits the affair. You want to make a positive impression.
Be positive, be enthusiastic, and be smart during the MBA application interview
- Be positive. Avoid saying “I hate”
- Avoid one-word answers. Be prepared to elaborate.
The important thing to remember is that you have to exude the aura of positivity. This means you have to convey positive thoughts through your answers. Aside from this, you have to show the admissions panel your enthusiasm. This will show how you really value your application. You also have to prepare for the questions. Before heading to the venue, make sure that you do your research well.
Be honest and be yourself
- It is ok to say “I don’t know” It is better to be honest than to make anything up.
- Do not answer in the way you feel the interviewer “wants” Again, be yourself.
- Don’t be nervous. It’s just a conversation. And remember: it’s all about YOU.
Make sure that it is your idea you are conveying during the interview and not just anyone else’s. Have confidence and be sincere when answering questions. According to this excerpt from another article:
Candidates ought not to try and “second guess” or patronize the interviewer(s) by responding with answers they think are wanted. Some interviewers play the “devil’s advocate” When “I don’t know” is the honest reply, it should be used.
You have to remember that interviewers have interviewed hundreds or even thousands of applicants before you. For sure, they have ways of seeing through your lies.
MBA application interview is your chance to show that you deserve a slot in the chosen MBA program. Don’t blow this chance. Prepare, be yourself, and have confidence during the interview.
Are you planning to get an MBA degree? Before you delve deeper into the application process, it is important that you know the basics of MBA application. College Times US can give you some basic information and tips on the MBA application process.
What is MBA?
MBA or Masters Degree in Business administration is a specialization and an in-depth business administration studies. MBA can be completed within a year or within three years.
A Masters Degree in Business Administration (MBA) is essentially a specialization and much deeper course of learning than what you covered at your undergraduate school. It is centered around the sharing of strategy, very fine technical details, and networking with your fellow graduate students. It can be of general nature, or focus narrowly on one discipline of business: Forensic Accounting, Interactive Marketing, or Quantitative Analysis, to name a few. The length of the program depends entirely on what you intend to be studying, and you can complete an MBA as quickly as one year (full-time), or up to three years (part-time) both on-campus and online.
How can MBA application help you get a brighter future
An MBA can be your ticket to an accelerated career. There are a lot of jobs out in the market that list an advanced degree as a prerequisite. Earning an MBA can give you the extra edge you need to qualify for that dream job and catapult you to new levels of higher pay grades, authority, and respect.
In addition, the path to earning an MBA can be just as rewarding as the degree itself. When you take Masters-level classes, you are placing yourself in a room with other very intelligent people; people with interesting and unique perspectives you may not have seen or thought of before. Graduate degrees are a much bigger time and financial investment, so there tend to be fewer social loafers than you probably had to deal with during your undergraduate education (though inevitably there will ALWAYS be a few.)
Another important benefit of an MBA is networking. If networking was not stressed in your undergraduate education, then you are hearing it now and need to memorize and believe in this sentence, Networking is the most important part of business. When I say networking, I don’t mean online social networks or information technology ? I’m talking about face-to-face, interpersonal relationships.
There’s no doubt that an MBA degree can help you shape and define your future. But the pleasure does not end in knowing that your future is secure with an MBA. With the degree, you can have a challenging life. Aside from the fact that you can learn a lot, you will also get the chance of meeting other people who shares your passion and who can help you in the future.
Where to get an MBA degree
Online schools can be an excellent choice for many prospective students as well, due to their flexible nature. If you are working during the day, an online MBA can be the answer to your dilemma of when you will have time to take classes. In addition, the hybrid classroom concept has been taking off lately, which can be an excellent learning method if you are skeptical of taking a class entirely online. There are a variety of resources on the web for comparing online degrees and searching for schools; one popular site is Edvisors.com, it has received a lot of traffic and praise for its large database of colleges and degree programs. In addition, GraduateCenter.com has a wealth of information about the entire process of getting into grad school, as well as funding resources, and other useful services.
Online MBA schools have definitely offered more flexible options to applicants who have to work while studying or those who have family obligations.
According to this blog, an online MBA school can give you a lot of advantages.
Earn a degree online is a good option for people who are planning to the career development or professional development. The advantages of online degree program in terms of flexible study schedule and convenient study from home lets you plan your study according to his busy work schedule.
When choosing between online and traditional MBA schools, you should weigh the pros and cons of each before you make your final decision.
A masters degree in Business Administration can give you a brighter future. Getting a degree can also make your life challenging and fun. So if you decided to pursue an MBA degree, you should start contemplating what type of school to choose, whether it’s online or traditional.
Applying to MBA school is a serious endeavor. The result of your application will determine your future. To help you in the preparation of your MBA application, Part-time MBA Degree shares a lot of tips.
Common requirements in MBA application
* Resume
* Recommendations
* Essays
* Transcripts from undegraduate programs
* Interviews
The requirements for MBA application may vary from one University to another. The ones listed above are just among the most common items required. The letters of recommendation can come from your former professors who can vouch for your character and academic competence. The essay is one of the most important tickets to MBA schools. The essay is your means to introduce yourself to the admissions committee. The transcript from your undergrad shows your academic background. The interview, on the other hand, is very important as well.
If you are an applicant from another country, you will be required to submit additional documents. These include:
* TOEFL or equivalent test of English language proficiency
* Translation of undegraduate documents
* Evaluation of the undegraduate diploma and course work
These requirements are not definite. There are schools that make exceptions. And there are also schools that have more requirements than the ones mentioned. What you should do is to contact the school where you are planning to apply and make inquiries about the requirements.
Helpful tips for MBA application
There are a lot of tips that could make your MBA application a success. Here is an excerpt from one of the blogs that give tips for MBA school applicants:
# Business School and MBA Surveys: Read reviews of business schools like University of Virginia, Purdue, Yale, UT Austin and others.
# Choosing a Business School: This resource has tips for researching full-time programs, part-time programs, accelerated and Executive MBA programs.
# Rankings and Admission Criteria: Review percent of applicants accepted, average GMAT score and average student age for schools like MIT, Duke, University of Chicago and more in this chart.
The first and one of the most important things that you should do is to choose an MBA school and program. You have to make sure that you research well. Bear in mind that you are going to make one of the biggest decisions in your life.
# Understand what sets you apart: Admissions reps want to know how you’re different, so take some time to figure out what it is that makes you different from everyone else, like your family background, small business story or something else.
# How B-Schools Catch Resume Liars: If you think no one will catch the way you padded your resume, think again. It’s best to be honest.
# Don’t be shy: The admissions process can be cutthroat, so don’t be shy about sharing your story, speaking up during an interview or acknowledging your racial or ethnic background.
#Have a clear, specific plan for post graduation: If you want to go to a business school in order to network and learn the skills you need to start your own cosmetics line, put that in your essay and include it in your interview. The more specific, the more you stand out.
Your uniqueness and your academic competence are factors that could help you make or break your MBA application. You can show how truly unique you are through your essays and interviews.
Your MBA application should be well-handled so that you get better chances of admissions. You have to be aware of the different requirements. Aside from the ones mentioned above, you need to do your own research. Contact the school to know the different requirements. The choice of school and program should also be considered. You can make your choice by comparing various schools. In your essays, interviews, and other requirements, you have to make sure that you introduce yourself well.
Your MBA essays and GMAT scores are not everything about your MBA application. Your MBA admissions interview is also one of the tickets to your application. Kokalta Dreams has a lot of sample questions that could aid you in paving your way to the MBA school of your dreams.
Common interview questions for MBA admissions
# Why business school?
# Why did you decide to apply to this business school?
# What makes you stand out among other candidates?
# What can you contribute to our program?
The questions asked during the MBA admissions interview are usually about your goals and purposes in applying to an MBA school. These also include your valuable characteristics that could make you a deserving MBA student. It is important that you read your personal statement so that your answers on the interview and the things you wrote in your essay about your goals are consistent.
# What would you say is your biggest weakness?
# What are your greatest strengths?
# How would your colleagues describe you?
# What are your hobbies?
Your MBA admissions interview is just like your MBA essay, as it tackles a lot of personal things about you. In the interview, you are also asked about your favorite hobbies, strengths, as well as weaknesses. One blog also tells something about the personal aspect of MBA admissions.
Interviews may include behavioral questions. Questions may center on specific examples or detailed descriptions of events, projects or experience that demonstrate how situations you’ve faced in the past have been handled and what you learned from them. Behavioral interviewing holds that past performance predicts future behavior.
Behavioral interviews help admission officers learn more about the applicants. However, this type of interview may not be widely used in all universities. This is why you should prepare yourself to answer any type of interview question. Also make sure that you are honest and sincere because the admissions committee can see through your lies.
The do’s for the interview
* Do plan to arrive at least ten minutes early. Know where the interview location is and know how long it takes to get there.
* Do prepare and practice answers for common interview questions. Don’t wait until the night before to begin preparation. The sooner you start, the more comfortable you will be.
* Do dress for success. Jeans and T-shirts have no place at an interview. When in doubt, be conservative.
Preparing for an MBA admissions interview is necessary. It is the first and the most important part of the interview process. You have to choose your attire carefully. You also have to practice answering probable questions. Preparation can actually boost your confidence.
The don’ts for the interview
* Don?t reschedule the interview unless it is absolutely unavoidable.
* Don’t forget the interviewer’s name.
* Don’t forget to smile.
* Don’t answer every question with a simple yes or no. Elaborate on your answers whenever possible.
* Don’t lie. Answer questions honestly and frankly.
* Don’t ever offer any negative information about yourself.
* Don’t forget to verbally thank the interviewer for their time and consideration.
These tips may seem common but they are still worth mentioning because many still forget to avoid these MBA admissions no-no’s. Committing a single no-no from the list above can have a detrimental impact on your application. This is why before you go to the interview, make sure that you read and keep the list above in mind.
If you are really aspiring to be an MBA degree holder, you should make sure that you fare well in the admissions interview. Like your essay and GMAT, the interview result matters a great deal. This is why you really have to prepare yourself for the admission interview.
Every year, there are many MBA student hopefuls who strive hard to get into the MBA school of their dreams. Well, not all of them make that dream a reality. If you are one of the MBA hopefuls, it is necessary that you know the myths surrounding the MBA application process. MBA Game Plan has several MBA admissions myths from Chicago Booth that are worth discussing here.
Myth #1: The GMAT is the most important part of MBA application
There is no one admissions requirement that is more important than the other. While the results of your GMAT exam are important to us, they are by no means the only tool we use to make an admissions decision. The GMAT score is not a make or break item. At Chicago Booth, our application process is a holistic one in which the Admissions Committee attempts to learn all about you in order to determine a fit between you and Chicago that goes above and beyond your GMAT score.
This applies not only in Chicago Booth, but in many other universities as well. Although GMAT is a very important factor, it is not the sole determinant in making or breaking your application. There are still other factors that are equally important. These include your personal statement and your interview result.
As a matter of fact, another blog shares the same idea.
GMAT really doesn’t matter that much. Or, if you scored in the 600 range, don’t sweat it, focus on your story and your essays because they are five hundred times more important
.
Now this is not to discourage applicants from doing well on their GMAT. These just mean that you shouldn’t get too focused on your GMAT scores. You should also exert the same effort when preparing your admission essay.
Myth #2: If you don’t have a business background, you don’t stand a chance
Students who apply to and enroll at Chicago Booth come from a variety of backgrounds with respect to their undergraduate studies. In fact, 34% of the class of 2009 had a liberal arts background. We are always excited by the unique experiences that each student’s education brings to the community at Chicago.
This is true. Even if you don’t have any background in business management, as long as you pass your GMAT, essay, and interview with flying colors, you have better chances in getting admitted into the MBA school of your dreams. A business background can help you a lot in your application, but it is not a factor that could make or break your application.
Myth #3: The admissions committee read only the first few essays
Our staff, including our Admissions Fellows, reads each and every essay, recommendation letter and transcript that crosses our desks. This makes for a great deal of work but we are committed to putting together the best possible class and to do so, we feel we need to get to know each applicant well. This process is a part of what makes Chicago Booth a unique place. You’ve worked hard to submit your application, and we appreciate that effort.
This is a popular myth not just in Chicago Booth but in many other universities as well. The admissions committee takes time to read each personal statement. This is so they could determine who among the applicants have what it takes to be an MBA student. This is why you have to make sure that your whole essay, from the beginning to end, is well written.
It is important that you know the different myths surrounding MBA application. It can better guide you in your application. You should never think that your essay is less important than the other requirements or that your essay will not be read at all. Your essay is very important in landing a spot at your dream MBA school.
Going through the MBA application process is not very easy. There are exams that you have to pass, essays to make, and interviews to go through. Although the application process is a bit difficult, the prize would be worth it. If you pass the MBA application process with flying colors, you can secure a brighter future. To pave your way to a prestigious MBA school, make the necessary preparations as early as possible. But before you do that, make sure that your decision to pursue MBA study is well thought of. MBA Channel has various tips to help you decide and prepare for your MBA application.
Considering your reasons for getting an MBA degree
The MBA decision
Different people decide to do MBA for different reasons. There is no one single best reason to do an MBA and its subject to individual needs and thinking. I like to split these group of reasons to two buckets.
1. Push factors
2. Pull factorsPush factors are those reasons which makes a person move away from current state of life. In the MBA perspective, the so called push factors can any of the following
* Sheer dislike for the current job and its career prospects
* Having achieved enough at the current career function and the need to grow to the next phase of career
* Need to change the current intellectual path and look out for a different way of life altogether
* Being tired of the busy work life needing for a change in lifestylePull factors are those which draws one towards a MBA program, ideally independent of his current state of affairs.These can include variety of factors like
* A great B school with top notch MBA program
* The transformational experience promised by every good MBA
It is important that you make your decision as early as possible so you can focus your future efforts in reaching your goal. You have to weigh the push and pull factors mentioned above in order to come up with the best decision.
Preparing your MBA admission essay
The essays and Interview – It becomes very important to personalize your candidacy as you project it to schools via your essays and interview. Be yourself and tell them the truth. Don’t try to be someone who can please the AdCom. Never try to wear a facade of someone who is not you. Here is excerpt from Interview with Sara Neher, Admissions Director, Darden School of business.
“I don’t always expect people to reveal as much about fit as I think some schools might. I think that if you tell me who you are, what you’re about and what you want to accomplish, I’ll be able to see if you’re a fit or not. It’s more important to me that we get personal details, because one of the mistakes people make is regurgitating the Web site back to us. You telling me that you want to take so-and-so’s class or the case method is important because of what we put on our Web site is just a waste of your word count. It shows me that you can read our Web site, but it doesn’t show me anything about who you are.”
The statement above was quoted from an MBA blog. This sums up what the MBA application essay should be about, and that would be about yourself.
Your decision to go or not to go to MBA school will have a great impact on your future. This is why you have to give yourself enough time to determine if you really want to pursue an MBA degree. You have to weigh in the push and pull factors, and if you decide to pursue an MBA degree, start preparing an essay that tells the world who you really are.
