In this installment of our Admissions Director Q&A series, we are back in the UK to meet Louise-Marie Fischer-Dallée, Recruitment & Admissions Director at the Imperial Business School in London.
Louise-Marie oversees recruitment strategy and admissions operations across the Full-Time, Global, Weekend and Executive MBA programmes. Her career has been shaped by a deep passion for higher education and, more specifically, for the transformative power of MBA programmes. Prior to joining Imperial, she held the role of Admissions Director at HEC Paris, and earlier gained entrepreneurial experience co-founding two startups, one of which grew from zero to €1M ARR in eight months during the pandemic.
A native French and Spanish speaker with professional proficiency in English, Louise-Marie brings both an international perspective and a genuine enthusiasm for connecting candidates with the right programme. Outside of work, she is an accomplished triathlete and a proud finisher of Iron Man 140.6 Nice 2024.
In our conversation with Louise-Marie she covers how to approach applying to the right MBA program, what stands out about Imperial’s program, and what to expect from the application process.
Clear Admit: What is one aspect of your MBA program that you wish applicants knew more about?
Louise-Marie Fischer-Dallée: I wish more applicants understood the depth of our focus on innovation and leadership development, and how these themes run throughout the entire programme, not just in a single module or elective.
From day one, students are immersed in an environment that challenges them to think differently, question assumptions, and develop an entrepreneurial mindset. This is not something that happens in isolation; it is woven into the curriculum, the projects, and the community around them.
Equally, the leadership journey is deeply personal. We invest a great deal in helping each student understand who they are as a leader: their strengths, their blind spots, and how they can grow. By the time they graduate, they leave not just with business knowledge, but with a clearer sense of the leader they want to become.
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?
LM: I would say that the life of an application actually begins before the candidate even clicks “submit.” Our first piece of advice is to get in touch with us as early as possible – for some candidates, that conversation starts two years before their intended programme start date. We encourage prospective applicants to get to know the school, attend our events, and connect with alumni. It is worth noting that we do not assess candidates prior to submission; instead, we focus on advising and guiding them so they can put forward the strongest application possible.
Once an application is submitted, we evaluate each candidate holistically across several dimensions: academic background, professional experience, motivation, career objectives, and essay responses. Candidates who are successful at this stage are invited to interview.
After all interviews for a given round have taken place, we convene an Admissions Committee – bringing together colleagues from our Recruitment, Admissions, Careers, and Programme teams – to review each profile alongside interview feedback before reaching a final decision.
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 applicants should try to avoid? What is one key thing candidates should keep in mind as they sit down to write?
LM: Essays give us the opportunity to learn more about a candidate than what their CV alone can convey. Above all, we are looking for authenticity. We want candidates to write from the heart and let their true personality come through — who they are, what drives them, and why they are pursuing this path.
Since we are not able to meet every candidate in person before they submit their application, the essay is often our first real window into who they are as an individual. It is a valuable chance to make a human connection beyond the numbers and achievements on a page.
One of the most common mistakes we see is over-reliance on AI to write or heavily polish essays. While it may seem like a helpful shortcut, the result is often that essays begin to sound alike — polished, but impersonal. Admissions team can tell the difference, and a generic essay is a missed opportunity.
The one key thing candidates should keep in mind is this: write like yourself, not like you think an MBA applicant should sound. Your voice is your strongest asset.
CA: Could you tell us about your interview process? Approximately what percentage of applicants are invited to interview, who typically conducts interviews, and what should candidates expect in terms of interview style and format?
LM: Our interview process is straightforward and designed to be a two-way conversation. On average, 50% of applicants are invited to the interview stage, meaning they meet our admissions requirements and have demonstrated strong potential in their profile.
Shortlisted candidates will receive an invitation directly from the admissions team. Interviews are conducted online and led by either a programme alumnus or a member of our admissions team.
The interview serves a dual purpose: it allows us to assess how well a candidate fits with the programme and the school, while also giving candidates the opportunity to ask any questions they may have. Candidates should expect to be challenged on the key elements of their CV, as well as their motivations for pursuing the Full-Time MBA and for choosing Imperial specifically.
CA: If your admissions process includes any video-based components, such as video essays or recorded interview responses, what advice would you offer applicants preparing for this part of the process?
LM: Our interview stage is conducted online but is not recorded. We have also previously included video submissions as part of our scholarship essays, though we are in the process of phasing these out and integrating them into the standard application form.
For candidates who do encounter a video component, the advice is simple: be authentic and speak naturally. Avoid reading from a script as it is immediately noticeable and creates distance between you and the viewer. Prepare your key points, but let the conversation feel like exactly that, a conversation.
CA: Is there anything in particular international students should keep in mind during the admissions process?
LM: There are a few practical things international students should keep in mind during the admissions process. The first is timeline. Once an offer is accepted, there are several administrative steps involved in issuing the CAS — the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies — which is required to apply for a student visa. This process takes time, and we always encourage international candidates to plan ahead and avoid leaving things to the last minute.
It is also worth remembering that Imperial is located in the heart of London, which brings enormous advantages in terms of access to industry, networking opportunities, and company visits. We encourage international students to make the most of this from day one, as the city itself becomes an extension of the learning experience.
Finally, for those coming from outside the UK, we strongly recommend connecting with our current international students and alumni early in the process. They are often the best source of practical advice — from navigating the visa process to settling into life in London — and our admissions team is always on hand to guide candidates through every step.
CA: Conversations about MBA value often center on jobs, salaries, and ROI. What are some of the other ways students benefit from the MBA experience that may be harder to quantify upfront?
LM: The return on an MBA goes far beyond salary uplift, and I think the most meaningful benefits are often the ones that are hardest to put a number on.
Personal development is at the core of what we do. Through our LEADS module, students are encouraged to reflect on their values, their approach to leadership, and their responsibility towards others – whether that is in the workplace or in society more broadly. It is a journey of self-awareness that stays with them long after graduation.
Then there is the network, which I think is genuinely underestimated by prospective applicants. The relationships built with classmates from vastly different professional and cultural backgrounds become lifelong connections. Add to that the access our students have to the Imperial community and the broader London business world, as well as our alumni network and mentorship opportunities, and the value becomes clear – even if it is difficult to quantify upfront.
Perhaps most importantly, the MBA has a way of shifting perspective. Students arrive with one way of seeing the world and leave with many. The diversity of the cohort, the Global Experience Week, the conversations that happen outside the classroom – these are the things that broaden thinking and build a genuine global mindset.
And finally, there is a sense of purpose. Many students tell us that the programme gave them clarity – not just on their next career move, but on the kind of leader they want to become and the values they want to lead with.
CA: Are there any trends in the applicant pool, admissions process, or MBA experience that you are particularly focused on right now?
LM: One of our constant priorities is building the most diverse class possible, and this remains at the forefront of how we approach admissions. We know that what candidates learn inside the classroom is valuable, but what they learn from each other outside of it is often even more impactful. That is why we look at diversity in the broadest sense – not just geographic representation, but also diversity of professional sectors, career backgrounds, and life experiences.
We are also paying close attention to how candidates engage with AI, both in how they approach the application process and in how they think about their future careers. It is something we discuss openly with applicants, and it is increasingly shaping the kinds of conversations we have about leadership, adaptability, and the skills that will matter most in the years ahead.
More broadly, we are seeing candidates who are increasingly purposeful about why they want an MBA and what they want to do with it. Career clarity and impact are themes that come up more and more, and that is reflected in how we engage with prospective students from their very first interaction with us.
CA: Is there anything else you’d like to highlight about your MBA program or admissions process?
LM: One thing worth highlighting is our LEADS module — Leadership, Ethics, Awareness, Diversity, and Society — which runs throughout the entire academic year. It encourages students to take a holistic and responsible approach to leadership, covering key issues in the workplace and society. By the time they graduate, our Full-Time MBA students leave with the tools for meaningful self-reflection and the awareness needed to lead with integrity throughout their careers.
Beyond the classroom, students also benefit from a Global Experience Week, which broadens their perspective and exposes them to different business environments. They also have the opportunity to build connections with peers from other programmes at Imperial, creating a diverse and lasting network that extends well beyond the MBA itself.
