What questions should I ask at the end of my MBA interview?
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Q: HOW CAN I ASK GOOD QUESTIONS AT THE END OF MY INTERVIEW?
- FIRST, PREPARE TWO OR THREE QUESTIONS AHEAD OF TIME THAT HIGHLIGHT YOUR STRENGTHS AND RELATE TO YOUR GOALS.
- SECOND, KEEP YOUR MIND OPEN FOR INSPIRATION. IF YOUR INTERVIEWER SAYS SOMETHING DURING THE INTERVIEW THAT INTERESTS YOU, ASK FOR MORE INFORMATION.
- Do you have any questions for me?
- What else can I tell you about School X?
- not easily answered by checking a website
- directly related to you and your goals
- relating to topics your interviewer is likely to know.
- appropriate to your interviewer (alum vs. current student vs. adcom member).
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Questions for Adcom (professional staff, either at an off-campus "hub" interview location or on-campus)
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Questions for Current Student (adcom volunteer on campus)
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Questions for Alumni Interviewer (in your home country) |
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1. Ask about trends that affect your goals. For example, a client recently asked adcoms to confirm a rumor he heard that the school would open a new program on another continent. Since my client's long-term goals involve expanding to that market, he could ask about while reinforcing his future vision.
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1. In general, you want to know her advice (based on her current / recent experience as a student at your "dream school).
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1. You want to ask alumni for advice based on their experience before, during, and after attending your "dream school". |
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2. Ask questions about the school's future plans / mission / direction (but be sure to ask in the context of your goals).
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2. What surprised you most after enrolling in School X? (In other words, how have your perceptions changed as you moved from applicant to student?)
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2. How did attending School X affect your career? |
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3. Ask how the school is related to the alumni community in your city / country. Ask about ways the want alumni to be more active (if you can show your potential contributions).
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3. Why did you chose this school?
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3. How have you leveraged School X' alumni network in your professional (and/or personal) life? |
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4. If you know your interviewer's name before meeting her, use Google, LinkedIn, etc. to find out if the interviewer herself is an alumna of the school. If so, you can ask some "alumni-type" questions since she has a dual perspective (former student; current staff member).
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4. What has been your most valuable academic experience, and why?
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4. What surprised you most after enrolling at School X? |
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5. Ask if there are ways to contribute case studies or other curricula (based on your experience).
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5. What has been your most valuable non-academic (club, experiential learning) experience?
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5. Where else did you apply? Why did you chose School X? |
The Admissions Interview: Your Questions
A good admissions interview involves asking questions as well as answering them. Here's how to be prepared
During every business-school admissions interview, there's a moment where the tables turn. Usually, it's near the end, after you've been probed ("What sets you apart?") and prodded ("How was the workforce?"), and you're ready to head home. "So," the questioner chirps, "do you have anything to ask me?" This is, of course, an optional request. But it's also an opportunity to make an impression, or blow your chances, says Randall Sawyer, director of admissions at Cornell University's Johnson School of Business. "You have to be prepared," says Sawyer. While asking smart, informed questions can set you apart, soliciting information that's readily available on a school's Web site ("What's your class size?") might irritate your interviewer. What constitutes a "good" question? BusinessWeek recently spoke with several private consultants and deans of admission, all of whom recommended a variety of questions. Following are a selection, and some tips on how to ask them. And remember, these are general guidelines; the most impressive inquiries are case-specific.
What to ask deans, board members, and other officials:
- In your opinion, what really sets this school apart?
Officials know this is an important inquiry, especially if you're choosing between multiple schools. To win points, Sawyer suggests prefacing your question with some original thought (e.g., "I've read that Professor X just received the Nobel prize" or "As an entrepreneur, I was impressed with your 'Fund My StartUp Program"). Otherwise, you may get the retort: "Well, what do you think sets this school apart?"
- Can you talk a little about the student job search?
When you're about to drop $100,000-plus on an MBA, you're entitled to ask about career prospects, especially during the current financial crisis. But tread carefully, says Chioma Isiadinso, the CEO of Expartus, an admissions consulting company. Putting an official on the spot ("Can your school find me a job?") is awkward and offputting. Before you broach the subject, show enthusiasm ("I've heard great things about your alumni network") and emphasize that you're willing to be proactive.
For students, current and former:
- How have you most benefited from attending this school?
This question is crucial, especially if the interviewer pursued your concentration. According to Sawyer, it shows that you're "in the game, and interested in success." Be careful with phrasing, though: "How have you most benefitted?" is much more engaging (and much less skeptical) than "Have you benefitted?"
- What was your favorite class? Who were your favorite professors?
O.K., these two are pretty obvious. But they're still good bets, says Dawna Clark, director of admissions at Tuck School of Business. Students (and former students) love to impart wisdom, especially with like-minded interviewees. Give them time to shine, and everyone wins: They'll get to relive a positive academic experience, and you'll pick up some inside information.
- What's a typical day like?
Beyond engaging your interviewer, this question shows you care about more than academic factoids, says Linda Abraham, president of Accepted.com, an online hub for college counseling. After all, you're applying for an experience. It's only human to care about the little things, like when and where you'll eat, sleep, learn, and let loose.
For anyone:
- Is there anything else I can further address?
(found at http://www.businessweek.com/print/bschools/content/oct2008/bs20081023_316382.htm; accessed 2011/10)
-Updated by Vince on 18 Jan 2013
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