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Northwestern Kellogg MBA Interview Questions & Report: Round 1 / Second-Year Student / Zoom
The interview lasted ~30 minutes through Zoom and was pretty casual. I was interviewed by a second-year student who was really easygoing and made the whole interview experience easy. She was from a different industry than both my background and target industries. Questions: – Introduce yourself. – Why MBA? (I also used this question to say why Kellogg specifically.) – What is the career accomplishment you’re most proud of? – Tell me about a time you had to work on a team. – What is your main strength? After these questions, I was able to ask her a few questions.... Read more »
MBA Student Interview by Juno: Mike From Harvard Business School
The MBA Series is brought to you by Juno, a collective bargaining group for student loans. In this series, we’ll interview MBA students about their paths and decision-making process. Before entering Harvard Business School, Mike earned a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Notre Dame and worked at Ford Motor Company for about 5 years. Early on in his career, he focused on product development before moving into more of a product strategy, business development, and management role. While his starting salary of around $70,000 was less than some of his peers who entered banking and other industries, he was able... Read more »
UVA Darden MBA Interview Questions & Report: Early Action / Adcom/ On-Campus
The following UVA Darden MBA interview questions & report were submitted to Clear Admit by an Early Action applicant. Good luck to them! The interview was a little different from formats at other schools, but it was pretty comfortable. I sat with an admissions team member in his office and we chatted pretty casually. He started out by asking for me to talk about my experience growing up, through college, in my career, and why I want an MBA/why Darden. He let me know I’d have about half an hour to talk about those things and then there would be time for... Read more »
OSU / Fisher Essay Topic Analysis 2016-2017
Following up on the 2016-2017 OSU / Fisher essay topics, we wanted to offer some guidance to applicants. Let’s take a closer look at each essay. Essay 1 Why do you wish to earn an MBA? Why do you wish to earn an MBA from The Fisher College of Business? How will the Fisher MBA program assist you in achieving your immediate career goals? (750 words) This is a fairly straightforward career goals essay, asking applicants to comment on why business school makes sense for them, how Fisher College is the ideal place to earn their MBA and to articulate their... Read more »
The Seven Hardest MBA Admissions Interview Questions—and How to Answer Them
We recently shared our list of the most commonly asked MBA admissions interview questions, along with extensive advice on how to approach such queries. In light of the popularity of that piece, we’ve decided to up the ante this time around and spend some time deconstructing the absolute worst, totally unfair, just all-around-tough MBA admissions interview questions. How did we do this, you ask? We called on three members of our team—all of whom have significant admissions experience at top schools—to comb through our extensive MBA interview archive and hand pick a set of particularly challenging questions. The only ground... Read more »
Vanderbilt / Owen Essay Topic Analysis 2016-2017
Following up on the 2016-2017 essay topics for the Vanderbilt University Owen Graduate School of Management, we wanted to offer our Owen MBA Essay Topic Analysis for the Class of 2019 hopefuls. Let’s take a closer look at each prompt. 2016-2017 Vanderbilt / Owen MBA Essay Topic Analysis Essay 1: Tell us what you want to do immediately after the MBA. What skills and attributes will help you be successful? (500 words) This is a fairly standard career goals/why MBA essay, asking applicants to specify their post-MBA plans and to discuss the skills and attributes—whether based on past experience and/or... Read more »
SMU Cox Essay Topic Analysis 2016-2017
With the release of the 2016-2017 SMU Cox essay topics, we wanted to offer some guidance to applicants. This year, SMU Cox again asks MBA applicants for a typical career goals essay as well as for further reflections on leadership. Meanwhile, Masters of Arts dual degree candidates have to compose an essay about their desired impact. Let’s take a closer look at each essay. Essay 1 What has led you to pursue a graduate business degree? Please identify your short and long-term career objectives, an explanation of your decision to pursue this degree at this point in your life and your... Read more »
Rice / Jones Essay Topic Analysis 2016-2017
With the announcement of the Rice MBA essay topics for the 2016-2017 admissions season, we wanted to offer our Essay Topic Analysis for the Class of 2019. Let’s take a closer look at each prompt: Essay 1: Describe your short-term and long-term goals, and how the MBA will help you to achieve those goals. Include in your discussion: Why is now the appropriate time to pursue an MBA and why are you interested in obtaining a Rice MBA? (750 words) This is a straightforward career goals essay, asking applicants to articulate their post-MBA career objectives, define why they need an MBA,... Read more »
OSU Fisher Recommendation Questions 2016-2017
The Ohio State University Fisher College of Business MBA application is live for the 2016-2017 admissions season, meaning that the Fisher MBA recommendation questions are available for MBA applicants and their recommenders. 2016-2017 OSU Fisher MBA Recommendation Questions The recommendation begins with a section for the recommender’s contact information. Applicant Relationship What is your relationship with the applicant? Teacher/Professor Employer/Supervisor Coworker/Colleague Other I have known this applicant for approximately ___Years ____Months Do you know the applicant well enough to give him/her a recommendation? (If you checked NO, you do not need to complete the rest of this form) Yes No... Read more »
USC / Marshall Essay Topic Analysis 2016-2017
With the announcement of USC / Marshall 2016-2017 essay topics, we wanted to offer our Essay Topic Analysis for the Class of 2019 MBA hopefuls. Let’s take a closer look at each prompt: Essay 1: What is your specific, immediate short-term career goal upon completion of your MBA? Please include an intended position, function, and industry in your response. (100 words) This is a straightforward request for career plans following graduation from the Marshall MBA program. Candidates should lead with their short-term goal, given the explicit language of the prompt. In other words, where do you expect to be the... Read more »
UC Irvine / Merage Essay Topics 2016-2017
The Merage School of Business at the University of California, Irvine, has released their MBA admissions essays for 2016-2017 in their online application. The application includes a required career goals essay and an optional one for further information, as can be seen below. Essay 1 Please describe your short-term and long-term career goals and how your current professional experiences relate to these goals. Explain why you are pursuing an MBA degree at this point in your career. Specifically, how will the Merage MBA help you accomplish these goals? (maximum 750 words) Essay 2 (Optional) Please provide any additional information about... Read more »
Washington / Foster MBA Essay Topic Analysis 2016-2017
Following up on the University of Washington / Foster MBA essay topics for 2016-2017, we wanted to offer our Essay Topic Analysis for the MBA class. Let’s take a closer look at each prompt: Essay 1 Post-MBA Plans – Tell us your ideas about what lies ahead for you in your career. What are the gaps or deficiencies currently preventing you from pursuing these potential career paths? How do you plan to use your time in the Foster MBA program to fill these gaps and advance your career? (750 words maximum) This is a straightforward career goals essay, asking applicants to articulate... Read more »
IESE Essay Topic Analysis 2016-2017
For those aspiring to join IESE, here is the Essay Topic Analysis for the IESE MBA essays of 2016-2017. Unlike last year, this year’s application only requires one 400-word essay, in addition to the usual optional essay (200 words). Let’s take a closer look at each prompt. Essay 1: Please answer ONE (and only one) of the following two questions. (400 words) Please describe a time when you had an idea that had a positive impact. How do you develop yourself? What do you see as your development areas now? In regards to option 1, adcoms are interested to know... Read more »
Babson / Olin Essay Topic Analysis 2016-2017
Following up on the Babson / Olin essay topics for 2016-2017, we wanted to share our essay topic analysis. As with last year, Babson asks applicants for a straightforward career goals essay, followed by several options for differentiating details. 2016-2017 Babson MBA Essay Topic Analysis Let’s take a closer look at each essay: Essay 1: Define Your Future Please describe your short and long-term career goals and why they are important to you. How do you expect to leverage your experience at Babson to make progress towards these goals? (400 words or less) This prompt is a standard career... Read more »
UC Irvine / Merage Essay Topic Analysis 2016-2017
With the release of the 2016-2017 Irvine / Merage essay topics, we wanted to offer some guidance to applicants. This year, Irvine / Merage asks MBA applicants for a typical career goals essay and offers space for additional information. Let’s take a closer look at each essay. 2016-2017 UC Irvine / Merage Essay Topic Analysis Essay 1 Please describe your short-term and long-term career goals and how your current professional experiences relate to these goals. Explain why you are pursuing an MBA degree at this point in your career. Specifically, how will the Merage MBA help you accomplish these goals?... Read more »
University of Toronto / Rotman Essay Topic Analysis 2016-2017
With the release of the 2016-2017 Toronto / Rotman essay topics, we wanted to offer some guidance to applicants. This year, Toronto / Rotman asks for a nuanced version of a typical career goals essay, as well as what may be the shortest response across b-school admissions. Let’s take a closer look at the essay topics for Toronto / Rotman in the 2016-2017 admissions season. Essay 1 When you reflect 10 years from now, how will you measure your MBA experience? (500 words) This prompt is a standard career goals essay that should incorporate your career plans, as well as your... Read more »
Vanderbilt / Owen Recommendation Questions 2016-2017
The Vanderbilt / Owen online MBA application is live for the 2016-2017 admissions season, meaning that the Owen MBA recommendation questions are available for MBA applicants and their recommenders. 2016-2017 Vanderbilt Owen MBA Recommendation Questions The recommendation form begins with the recommender’s contact information, education level, and relationship to the applicant. While recommenders are encouraged to use the online form, they also have the option to upload a letter that addresses each of the questions. Highest Degree Earned: Institution Name: Type of Recommendation Letter you are providing: Academic Professional Personal Research Advisor Relationship to Applicant: Advisor Colleague Professor Research Advisor... Read more »
Georgetown / McDonough Essay Topic Analysis 2016-2017
Following up on the Georgetown / McDonough Essay Topics, we wanted to share our essay topic analysis for the 2016-2017 admissions season. While last year’s application only had one essay prompt, the adcom has expanded the requirements to include a required a one-minute video essay in addition to the required written essay (500 words). There are also two optional essays and an essay for reapplicants. Let’s take a closer look at each prompt: Essay 1 We would like to learn more about you. Please answer the following essay question in 500 words or less: “What matters to you? Please share an... Read more »
UMD / Smith MBA Essay Topic Analysis 2016-2017
Following up on the UMD Smith MBA Essay Topics, we wanted to share our essay topic analysis for the 2016-2017 admissions season. Required Essay Why Smith? Why an MBA? Why now? Be sure to include your short-term and long-term career goals. (Please limit your response to 300 words.) This prompt is a standard career goals essay that touches on one’s career plans, timing of one’s education and interest in the Smith MBA. While on one hand, it could work to directly address each prompt in order, establishing your goals first would lend meaning to your interest in an MBA and... Read more »
Top #MBA Tweets of the Week: Applications
As we roll into September, which is chock full of admissions deadlines, this edition of Top #MBA Tweets of the Week rounds up posts about the 2016-2017 admissions season. Knowing that essays and apps can present quite a challenge, several programs offered help, including the Dean of Duke / Fuqua… Application tips from Assoc Dean @LizRileyHargrov & the @FuquaADM Committee https://t.co/RhTIegUI7X #MBA #bschool — Duke Fuqua (@DukeFuqua) September 1, 2016 …as well as the adcom and successful candidates from Chicago Booth: As you prepare for Round 1, more on the 2016-17 Full-Time MBA essay: https://t.co/Xs0fg4nUc1 #ChicagoBoothMoments pic.twitter.com/2eUmzyjmLQ — Chicago Booth... Read more »
