In this installment of our Admissions Director Q&A series, we welcome back Kara Tripi, Director of Admissions and Enrollment at the Michigan State University Broad College of Business MBA program.
With over a decade of higher education experience, Kara is passionate about guiding students toward academic success. In her current role, she oversees recruitment and admissions while contributing to program development. Her diverse background in education provides valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities facing today’s students.
Read below for her advice on how to put your best self forward on your application, how to prepare for interviews, and what the Broad campus has to offer.
Clear Admit: What is the one aspect of your program that you wish applicants knew more about?
Kara Tripi: I really wish applicants understood just how much work the MBA program demands. It’s an incredibly esteemed degree in the business world precisely because it’s so rigorous. Your first year will be particularly intense, as you’ll be taking all the foundational courses—it’s a bit like drinking from a firehose!
On top of that, remember that career management is a marathon, not a sprint, especially when you’re looking for a summer internship. We’ve been guiding students through this process for a long time, so we really want you to come into the program ready to listen to our advice and recommendations. A common challenge we see is students either doing too much or not enough, so finding that balance is key.
CA: Walk us through the life of an application in your office from an operational standpoint. What happens between the time an applicant clicks “submit” and the time the committee offers a final decision?
KT: Our application process is structured around specific rounds, not rolling admissions. This means that submitting your application before a round deadline doesn’t lead to an early review. We begin reviewing all applications only after the stated deadline for that round.
To be considered for review, your application must be fully complete. We often receive inquiries from candidates who are frustrated about not being reviewed in a particular round, only to find that their transcript wasn’t uploaded or a recommendation was incomplete. To help you avoid this, our application portal clearly shows you any missing items.
Once your application is complete, it undergoes a holistic review. If we identify potential during this initial review, you’ll receive an invitation for an interview. After your interview, your application moves to the admissions committee for a final admission decision.
You’ll be notified of our decision via both email and the application portal. All decision notification dates are published on our website, so you’ll know exactly when to expect an update.
CA: How does your team approach the essay portion of the application specifically? What are you looking for as you read an essay? Are there common mistakes that applicants should try to avoid? What is one key thing they should keep in mind as they sit down to write?
KT: The best advice I can give you when writing your essay is to treat it like a written interview. We’re not looking for a simple rehash of your resume; instead, we want a thoughtful and insightful look into who you are as a candidate.
Our essay question is available on our website, so you can start crafting your response even before you begin your application in the portal. We expect essays to be polished, free of spelling and grammar errors, and more than just a few sentences. A common pitfall we see is generic essays; candidates often apply to many MBA programs, but remember, admissions essays aren’t one-size-fits-all. Make sure your essay stands out and truly reflects you.
CA: Could you tell us about your interview process? Approximately how many applicants do you interview? Who conducts the interview and what is the nature of the interview? Will your admissions interviews be in-person or virtual for the 2025-2026 admissions season?
KT: Getting an interview for the Broad MBA program is the final step in the admissions process. It’s a lot like a job interview. If your application has MBA potential, we’ll invite you to interview either virtually or in-person—whatever works best for you.
Think of the 30-minute interview as a chance for us to really get to know you beyond your application. We’ll ask a mix of behavioral and resume-based questions, which we update every year. This is one of the most crucial parts of the application process, so definitely take it seriously.
CA: If your application features an impromptu video interview/video essay, how does it differ from the main interview? What should applicants know about this step in the process?
KT: The video essay is a unique and important part of your application. Unlike the main interview, where you have a back-and-forth conversation, the video essay is your moment to deliver a concise, unscripted response in a single take. This format helps us gauge your communication skills, confidence, and how you approach unexpected questions.
CA: Is there anything in particular international students should keep in mind during the Broad admissions process?
KT: Applying early is key for international students! To ensure you have plenty of time to secure your educational visa, we require all application materials before we can issue an I-20. If you wait too long to apply, you might miss our international student application deadline (which is earlier than our final round deadline) or be unable to schedule a visa interview before MBA orientation.
CA: What is your favorite spot on campus?
KT: My favorite spots on campus are the Michigan 4-H Children’s Garden and Beaumont Tower, both of which perfectly capture Michigan State’s dedication to sustainability through its beautiful gardens and natural spaces. I especially love taking my preschool-aged daughter to explore the campus’s natural beauty. Beaumont Tower also hosts a charming concert series, featuring the carillon every Wednesday at noon for 30 minutes during the academic year. They even recently played a tribute to Taylor Swift!
CA: Is there anything else you’d like to highlight about your MBA program or Broad admissions process (e.g. supporting diversity, popular classes, new curricular offerings, etc.)?
We’re a small but impactful MBA program, and that comes with some big advantages. Unlike many other MBA programs, we offer a dedicated, required career management course (MBA 843) in your first semester, not just optional workshops. This course covers essential topics like career assessments, planning for a successful summer internship, and even AI integration.
To help you hit the ground running, our Career Management team work with all incoming students in May and throughout the summer, before the program officially begins. This means you’ll be prepared and ready to go even before your first MBA class!
