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If you plan to attend business school, you must be prepared for an MBA interview. Even if you’re considering an online MBA, preparing for an admissions interview is crucial as it provides insights into whether the program is the right fit. It’s a well-known fact that almost every MBA program requires an interview in the application process as it helps applicants determine whether the school is a good fit for them while simultaneously helping the school vet the applicant. For this reason, having genuine, intelligent, and relevant questions prepared ahead of time is very important if you want to ace this portion of the admissions process. Preparing insightful MBA interview questions shows the admissions committee your genuine interest and curiosity, key factors that differentiate you as a candidate.
Though all the top business schools involve an interview, there are many differences in how it's done, including the format, what questions are asked, and who the interviewer is, among others. Some schools interview almost everyone, while others only extend an invitation to those they are the most seriously considering. Here are details on each M7’s interview process to help you prepare.
Interview Formats of the M7 MBA Programs
An MBA interview is an essential step in understanding if the school aligns with the kind of MBA experience you’re seeking. There are several important distinctions in interview formats between schools. The biggest differences to be aware of include:
- In-person vs. Virtual – More and more schools have moved to virtual interviews in the post-Covid era. Some are now exclusively online whereas others offer in-person in major business hubs around the world as well as on-campus for those that wish to travel.
- Interviewer – Your interview may be conducted by an admissions officer, alum, or second-year student.
- Blind vs. Not Blind – Some interviewers will go into the interview “blind”, meaning they have only read your resume. Others will have read through your entire application, essays and all, and are therefore “not blind.”
- Invite Only vs. Open – Every M7 school sits somewhere on a scale of selectivity. On one side is HBS, which interviews around 20% of applicants, and on the other is Kellogg, which interviews as many applicants as it is absolutely able to.
For the full guide on MBA interviews, check out: How to Ace Your MBA Interview: With Prep Questions & Answers
Stanford GSB
The GSB interviews only a select number of applicants, usually two to three people for every one spot in the class. So, being extended an invitation to interview is a positive sign but not a guarantee. GSB says that in the interview, it focuses on past actions, including what you have done and how you have done it. In some schools, the admissions counselor may be the one conducting the interview, bringing a unique perspective on what the school values in applicants.
By engaging with alumni or current MBA students during the interview, candidates gain an authentic view of what it’s like to be part of the program. You’ll be asked about meaningful professional or community-based experiences from the past few years.
- Interviewer: Alumni or MBA admissions officer
- Format: Virtual or in-person
- Length: 45-60 minutes
- Timeline: Late September to late November (Round 1), mid-January to mid-March (Round 2), and late April to mid-May (Round 3)
Read: How to Nail Your Stanford GSB MBA Interview: Overview, Questions, & Tips
Harvard Business School
HBS also does not extend invitations flippantly. Around 20-25% of all those who submit an application will be asked to interview. Uniquely, HBS requires interviewees to write a “post-interview reflection” within 24 hours. MBA interviewers at Harvard prepare heavily, they review your entire application ahead of time. HBS stresses that it is a conversation designed to help the school learn more about you, tailored specifically to your candidacy.
- Interviewer: Admissions board member
- Format: In-person (in a major city), Zoom, or on-campus
- Length: 30 minutes
- Timeline: October (Round 1), late January to early March (Round 2)
Read: How to Ace Your HBS MBA Interview
University of Chicago Booth
Around half of all applicants are extended an invitation to interview at Booth. Though Booth interviews more applicants than GSB or HBS, getting an invite is still positively indicative that your application is being strongly considered. According to past interviewees, questions include “Why an MBA?”, “Why Booth?”, “Tell me about yourself,” and “Tell me about your leadership style,” among others.
- Interviewer: Current student, graduate, or admissions staff member
- Format: On-campus, in-person, or virtual
- Length: 30-45 minutes (including about 10 minutes for Q&A)
- Timeline: Mid-October to early November (Round 1), end of January to February (Round 2), mid-April to mid-June (Round 3)
How to Nail Your Booth MBA Application Interview: Overview, Questions, and Tips and How to Answer the “Why Booth?” Interview Question
University of Pennsylvania Wharton
The interview at Wharton is very unique. Instead of the traditional conversation with an admissions committee member, those who are asked to interview will participate in a Team-Based Discussion (TBD) with four to five other applicants. The group is provided with a prompt and is asked to work together to create a solution. Following the TBD, there is a short, ten-minute one-on-one with the AdCom after the TBD. About 40% of all the applicants are extended an invitation to interview.
- Interviewer: 4-5 other applicants and then a member of the admissions committee
- Format: Virtual
- Length: 45 minutes
- Timeline (2022-2023): October 25 (Round 1), February 17 (Round 2), April 13 (Round 3), May 25 (Deferred)
Read our full article on Wharton’s interview here: Wharton Interview Guide: The Team-Based Discussion
Northwestern University Kellogg
Your interviewer at Northwestern will not have read your application, only the resume, so the Kellogg interview is “blind.” Kellogg emphasizes that it’s a way for you to share or elaborate on the life experiences that led you to an MBA and the school. It’s also unique in that it interviews as many of its applicants as possible.
- Interviewer: Current student, alumni, or MBA admissions officers
- Format: Virtual
- Length: 30-45 minutes
- Timeline: Applicants schedule their own interviews within six weeks of the application deadline
Curious to learn more about Kellogg’s interview process and gain some expert tips? Read our article How to Nail Your Kellogg MBA Interview: Overview, Questions, & Tips
Columbia Business School
Like Kellogg, the interviewer at CBS will only have seen your resume, not your application. It sends invitations sparingly so being asked to interview is a good sign but not a guarantee. Unlike most other business schools, an interview is not required for acceptance.
- Interviewer: Usually an alumnus, occasionally an MBA admissions officer or current student
- Format: In-person or virtual
- Length: 45-60 minutes
- Timeline: Variable, within six weeks of submitting the application
Read: Ace Your Columbia Business School MBA Interview: Expert Tips and Sample Questions
Massachusetts Institute of Technology Sloan
Sloan’s interview is slightly different from the others and is commonly referred to as a “Behavioral Event-Based Interview.” Questions will almost exclusively focus on your past actions rather than hypotheticals. They want to know why you made the decisions you did. Interviewers will ask a lot of follow-up questions, so you’ll answer fewer questions than for other programs. Typically, around 20-25% of all applicants are asked to interview.
- Interviewer: Admissions committee member
- Format: Virtual
- Length: 30-45 minutes
- Timeline: Invitations are sent on a rolling basis until the decision deadline
For more expert advice on the MIT interview, read our article How to Nail Your MIT Sloan MBA Interview: Overview, Questions, & Tips
Most Common Interview Questions of the Top 10 MBA Programs
Download our free guide to the most common MBA interview questions to be as prepared as possible to nail your interview
MBA Interview Tips
MBA interviews, like every other part of the MBA application, require a lot of preparation. Make a list of the main stories and examples you want to use and practice saying them. For many people, using a structure like STAR makes it easier to frame the response in a more methodical way. Here are several other tips to help you nail the interview. Be sure to practice common MBA interview questions as well as specific ones relevant to each school’s unique offerings and values.
Prepare Differently for Different Interviewers
The questions that you should ask an alumnus or current student are different from those you’d ask an admissions committee member. Remain conscious of this fact and prepare your answers accordingly. We recommend you take some of the questions we’ve listed below and adapt them to each program you’re interviewing for. When speaking with MBA admissions officers, frame your questions to demonstrate how your goals align with the school’s learning environment and culture.
Expert Tip: Reaching out to past and current students from the schools you’re interviewing with can help you craft thoughtful questions for the interview and clarify if the program aligns with your career goals. It not only will get you fodder for your interviews, but also ensure that you end up at the best program for you. When reaching out to students and alumni, start with those to whom you have some kind of connection – maybe you went to the same undergrad institution, played the same sport, are pursuing the same career, etc.
Show Genuine Enthusiasm for the Specific Program
Schools want to admit students that actually want to go there. Showing a good sense of how the program aligns with your goals reflects well on your preparation and commitment. Go into the interview well-versed in the school’s specificities. Discuss aspects of the school’s learning environment that resonate with you, such as collaborative projects or case studies. What are its strengths and weaknesses? What are some of the classes taught at the program that you’re most interested in? What attracts you to this program over others?
Consider attending an admissions event to meet admissions officers and learn more about the program’s focus areas, culture, and expectations. Admissions events often provide a preview of what each school values in candidates, and they make a note of who has registered. Take a tour of the campus if you’re able and open emails from the marketing team.
Furthermore, when discussing your interest in the program, avoid comparing it directly with other schools. Instead, focus on the unique aspects that draw you to this specific MBA program.
Showcase Your Emotional Maturity
Another thing to note is that demonstrating emotional intelligence can set you apart during the interview. Show self-awareness and empathy when discussing challenges you’ve overcome. You can also provide concrete examples when discussing your achievements or challenges. This approach makes your stories more memorable and impactful. Demonstrating self-awareness in your answers can impress admissions officers, showing that you understand your strengths and areas for improvement.
Ask Questions Relevant to Your Interests
Remember, this interview is also a chance for you to see if it’s a good fit for your background, interests, and goals. Most MBA students find interviews a crucial part of the admissions journey, allowing them to showcase their unique experiences and perspectives. For prospective MBA students, preparing for these interviews can set the foundation for a successful application. The questions you ask should be ones that you are genuinely interested in. You are the only “you” applying. Don’t talk about what you think the interviewer wants to hear.
Expert Tip: For some schools, you will know who your interviewer is ahead of time. If that’s the case, research your interviewer. Look up their educational and work history, personal interests, and whatever else you can find online. This will help you ask much better questions and also show the interviewer that you cared enough to do your due diligence. See this interview with a Stanford GSB deferred admit who asked his MBA interviewer about steak.
Avoid Yes/No Questions
Don’t ask yes/no questions or ones that have a “right” answer. Basically, don’t ask them about any information that you could get in a ten-second Google search. The interview is a chance for you to learn things about the program that you couldn’t get anywhere else and that are aligned with your interests. Relatedly, only ask questions that you think the interviewer will actually have an answer to.
If you’re looking for some inspiration from MBA interview questions you might encounter during your conversation, read our article: Most Common M7 MBA Interview Questions.
Questions to Ask in Your MBA Interview
What to Ask an Alumni
When preparing for your MBA admissions interview, keep in mind that engaging with former MBA graduates as often as admissions officers can be extremely valuable in teaching you otherwise hard-to-get information about the program's culture, alumni network, and the real-world application of the education experience.
When you engage with alumni or current students, you get firsthand insights into the day-to-day experiences and opportunities within the program. MBA alumni interviewers are great because they tend to offer firsthand perspectives that can help you gauge whether the program aligns with your career goals and personal aspirations. Using them, you can ask about the student experience and how the program’s culture and resources have impacted alumni personally and professionally.
Here are some valuable questions to ask an alumni interviewer to deepen your understanding of their MBA journey and the impact of their experience while simultaneously proving to them that you’re a strong candidate for admission:
- What was your experience like at the school? How has it affected your career since?
- What is the alumni community like? What has your experience been with it?
- What do you wish that you had done differently during your own MBA program?
- What are some of the most impactful skills or lessons you acquired during your MBA program that you feel were unique to this school? How have these skills or lessons benefited you in your career?
- How did the school support your career goals and aspirations? Are the academic and career services at [university] helpful?
- What opportunities for networking and professional development did you find most valuable?
- How has the school's culture influenced your personal and professional growth?
- What advice would you give to future students/someone starting the MBA program at this school?
- Can you share any memorable experiences or highlights from your time in the program?
- As you may know, I am interested in [industry], and although I’m familiar with [program’s resources], do you know of anything else at the university that would benefit me?
What to Ask an Admissions Officer
Interviewing with an adcom member is an opportunity to explore the specifics of the MBA program, its curriculum, and its evaluation criteria from a professional’s perspective. Interviews conducted by MBA admissions officers often provide a chance to discuss the MBA program’s core mission and values. These officers can give a deeper understanding of what the school seeks in its candidates.
They play a pivotal role in shaping the program and selecting candidates who align with the school's values and goals, so it’s important that you appear thoughtful and determined about finding your fit in the program. An admissions counselor can also provide insights into the selection process, helping you understand how your profile compares to other candidates.
Here are ten pertinent questions to ask this type of MBA interviewer to gain clarity on the program's offerings, support systems, and expectations for successful applicants.
Note: For those considering both traditional and online MBA programs, be sure to ask how the online format compares in terms of networking opportunities and resources. Asking such a question shows your proactive interest in understanding how the MBA program supports students with similar career goals. You can also ask about faculty involvement and how accessible professors are to students seeking mentorship.
- What are the types of students who most succeed in the MBA program here? What traits do they possess?
- I have [X career interest]. How have you seen the school benefit other MBA students with goals like mine?
- What do you think are some of the most innovative or unique courses offered in the program?
- Given my background and interests, what resources or opportunities do you think I should focus my time and energy on during the MBA program?
- How does the school/program define success for MBA students in both the short and long term?
- What kind of support does the school provide for students interested in entrepreneurship (or any specific field)?
- How does the MBA program’s career services team assist students with job placement and internship opportunities?
- How does your program integrate experiential learning opportunities, such as internships, projects, or global immersions?
- Can you describe the relationship between the MBA program and the local business community or industries?
- What steps does the school take to ensure continuous improvement and adaptation of the curriculum to meet evolving industry trends?
Ace Your MBA Interview With the Help of an Expert
The #1 most effective tool you have in your interview prep arsenal is practice with an expert. An admissions consultant can help you choose the right stories to tell, craft your answers in the most powerful way possible, and brainstorm thoughtful questions to ask that are personalized to your background. See some of the most popular MBA coaches below, browse all of them here.
We hope you find these helpful! Applying for an MBA can definitely be a stressful process but with preparation, coaching, and time, you’ll be able to submit the best version of your candidacy possible.
As you continue on your application journey, here are a few other articles that you may find useful:
- Six Coaches' Best Advice for the MBA Interview
- How to Build a Lasting Connection in Your MBA Interview
- How to Nail Your Virtual MBA Interview
FAQ for MBA Program Interview Questions
What is the purpose of an MBA interview?
- The MBA interview is a crucial part of the application process that allows the school to assess your fit for their program. It also provides you with an opportunity to learn more about the program and determine if it aligns with your career goals and personal aspirations.
How should I prepare for my MBA interview?
- Prepare by researching the school's program thoroughly, understanding its unique offerings, and reflecting on your experiences and goals. Practice answering common interview questions using a structured approach like STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result), and prepare thoughtful questions to ask your interviewer.
What types of questions should I ask an alumni interviewer?
- Ask questions that help you understand the alumni's personal experience, the culture of the program, and the long-term benefits of the MBA. Focus on gaining insights into their career progression, networking opportunities, and any advice they have for new students.
What types of questions should I ask an admissions committee member?
- Focus on questions that give you a deeper understanding of the program's curriculum, support systems, and evaluation criteria. Inquire about resources for your specific career interests, the program's unique courses, and how the school supports entrepreneurial initiatives and career placements.
How can I tailor my questions for different interviewers?
- For alumni interviewers, focus on personal experiences and outcomes. For admissions committee members, ask about the program's structure, resources, and how it aligns with your career goals. For current MBA students, focus on their experience at the program thus far. Make sure to tailor your questions to the interviewer's perspective to get the most relevant information.
Why is it important to ask thoughtful questions during the interview?
- Asking thoughtful questions demonstrates your genuine interest in the program and helps you gather important information that isn't available through other sources. It also shows that you have done your homework and are serious about finding the right fit for your MBA studies.
What should I avoid asking during the MBA interview?
- Avoid asking questions that can be easily answered through a quick online search or that have obvious answers. Steer clear of yes/no questions and focus on open-ended questions that allow the interviewer to provide detailed insights.
How can I show genuine enthusiasm for the program during the interview?
- Show enthusiasm by being well-prepared, knowledgeable about the program, and by asking questions that reflect your specific interests and goals. Express how the program's unique offerings align with your career aspirations and personal development.
As you continue on your application journey, here are a few other articles that you may find useful:
- Six Coaches' Best Advice for the MBA Interview
- How to Build a Lasting Connection in Your MBA Interview
- How to Ace Your MBA Interview: With Prep Questions & Answers
- How to Nail Your Virtual MBA Interview
- How to Ace Your HBS MBA Interview
- Ace Your Columbia Business School MBA Interview: Expert Tips and Sample Questions
