A Few Pointers on the Interview  

1. Whenever possible, interview with someone of the opposite sex.  (Don't make me explain why.)

2.  Dress formally unless your interview is with an alumnus and the situation calls for casual clothes.   I live in L.A., and a lot of my students have met their interviewers at beachfront cafes on Saturday mornings.  Situations like that call for casual clothes.

3.  Relax!  Don't come off as stiff and overly formal.  You want your interviewer to like you, so treat him or her like a friend.

4.  Prepare your answers ahead of time. 

The questions asked by admissions people at different schools are often surprisingly similar. There is a little variation, but the basic interview process goes as follows.

  Phase 1 - Your Upbringing and Undergraduate Experience  

Be sure to prepare a brief outline of your upbringing before going to your interview.   It's easy to get lost and ramble into a long pointless diatribe when talking about your upbringing, so make your replies short and to the point.

They will generally ask a number of questions about your undergraduate  experience.

•  What was your major?

•  Did you like it?

•  Do you think your grades are an accurate reflection of your ability?

•  Did you work as an undergrad?  (This is important because it may help to explain why your GPA isn't 4.0)

  Phase 2 - Work Experience Since Leaving College

You need to know your whole work history before walking into the interview.  Look up the approximate dates of promotions or job transfers.  The questions go something like the following:

• What was your first job out of undergrad?

• Have you been promoted?

• Have you ever supervised employees?

• Have you switched firms?  If so, why?

  Phase 3 - Career Goals & MBA Plans  

This is the part of your story that has to hold together.  If they ask about career goals and you tell them something that is completely inconsistent with your experience, you're going to be in trouble.

• Be sure to mention a career goal that actually requires (or benefits from) an MBA.

• Be able to answer the question, "Why do you need an MBA?"

• Be able to answer the question, "Why do you need an MBA from this school?"

  Phase 4 - Your Turn to Ask Questions  

Be sure to study the school before interviewing so you can ask informed questions about it.  Knowing specific details about the program should convince the interviewer that you are serious about attending his school.

A Final Note of Encouragement on The Interviews

  After two or three you begin to feel like a piece of meat.   Just remember that everyone has to go through the same process.