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CATEGORY - INTERVIEW TIPS

Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Wiki Wednesdays: Dartmouth / Tuck, Duke / Fuqua Interview Reports

With 2009 nearly upon us, welcome to the final 2008 edition of Wiki Wednesdays, where we share fresh interview reports published in the Clear Admit Wiki, a repository of MBA applicants’ experiences and observations! As most schools have distributed decisions to Round 1 candidates, we’re taking a break from the race to Round 2 deadlines to peruse a few interview reports from Dartmouth / Tuck and Duke / Fuqua.

A recent Tuck candidate recounted the following interview experience with an adcom member:

1. Walk [me] through [your] resume, starting from undergrad. What [were you] involved in outside of class in undergrad?
2. Why MBA? (Which led to discussion of goals after school.)
3. Why Tuck? (It seems they ask everyone this)
4. Tell about a time / how [you] work in teams.
5. Tell about a time / how [you] lead.
6. How will [you] get involved in Tuck, outside of class? (what groups and activities?)

Blogger MissionMBA shared the following questions from his Fuqua interview in the Clear Admit Wiki:

1. Tell me something about yourself, starting with your education.
2. Tell me about a team-effort that did not work out well.
3. Tell me about a time when you had to convey a difficult message to somebody.
4. How would you enrich the cultutre at Fuqua?
5. If given a chance, what would you like to change in your life?

That wraps up Wiki Wednesdays for 2008!  We’d like to thank everyone who has contributed to the Clear Admit Wiki this year and we look forward to receiving plenty of reports in 2009!  If you would like to contribute a report of your experience in applying for an MBA, simply e-mail your interview report, campus visit account or school comparison evaluation to wiki@clearadmit.com.  You can also post directly to the Clear Admit Wiki by creating an account.  Thanks again to all those who have contributed this year and best of luck to those undergoing the application process in 2009!

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Wiki Wednesdays: UCLA / Anderson, NYU / Stern, Yale School of Management Interview Reports

Welcome to another round of Wiki Wednesdays, where we highlight new and informative reports in the Clear Admit Wiki, an online repository of information learned by applicants throughout the MBA admissions process.  This week, we’re setting the spotlight on UCLA / Anderson, NYU / Stern and the Yale School of Management as they are still distributing Round 1 interview invitations.

In California, a Round 1 applicant shared his on-campus interview experience at Anderson:

1. Tell me about what you do now?
2. Why did you choose your current position?
3. What part of your leadership experience will be the most helpful at Anderson?
4. Elaborate on your career goals.
5. How will Anderson help you get to your career goals?

Back on the East Coast, a Stern candidate faced the following queries from a member of the adcom:

1. What are three words to describe Stern?
2. What do you like about NYU?
3. If you got into all the schools you applied to, how would you decide?

The Sterns candidate also noted, “I did not get any questions on my application or essays. She had my resume in front of her and asked a few questions from it.”

Another Round 1 candidate recounted the following interview with a second-year student at Yale:

1. “The questions were like ‘what do you think of this topic (related to your industry)’. I don’t think the question was meant to throw me off or test me, but a different way to understand my point of view (and, of course, to see if I am informed). Because I added in stories on my own, I think that precluded the interviewer of asking me ‘tell me about a leadership experience etc…’ Then, Why MBA/Why Yale/Post-MBA goals. Because Yale is a lot about fit, I think the Why Yale question needs to be sincere and when you ask questions at the end they should be thoughtful. You don’t want them to think this is another stop on your interview tour.”

In line with this candidate’s advice, applicants may want to conduct some research by checking out the school’s website, contacting current students or reading the Clear Admit School Guide for Yale School of Management in order to prepare a distinctive case.  Also, don’t forget to check out the Clear Admit Interview Guides for a bit of extra guidance.

That concludes Wiki Wednesdays for this week.  As always, we’d like to thank everyone who has contributed content to the Clear Admit Wiki this season!  If you would like to share your interview or campus visit for the benefit of other applicants, simply create an account or send your reports to wiki@clearadmit.com.  Thanks for tuning in and best of luck!

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Wiki Wednesdays: Last Chance to Win an iTunes Gift Card!

Welcome to another edition of Wiki Wednesdays, where we highlight the latest interview questions as shared by MBA applicants in the Clear Admit Wiki!  This past week, candidates have shared interview experiences from programs like Harvard Business School, Northwestern / Kellogg, NYU /Stern, MIT / Sloan, UCLA / Anderson, UVA / Darden, and the Yale School of Management.

Before posting some of the latest questions, we’d like to remind those going through the MBA admissions process that we’ll be awarding a $10 iTunes gift certificate to every fifth applicant who contributes content to the Wiki through this Friday, December 19th.  To be eligible for the prize, simply e-mail your content - whether an interview report, a school visit account or a school choices case - to wiki@clearadmit.com; we’ll post the content to the Wiki and notify the winners by e-mail.

Now, let’s take a closer look at some of the reports that have rolled in recently!

A Round 1 aspirant for HBS shared the following questions from an adcom member:

1. Why <Y> company? I talked about the culture of the company, so the next couple of questions had to do with the culture. Why did I fit in, etc.
2. How long I have been participating in a sport?
3. Why HBS? Why MBA? Most basic of questions, right? He thought my first answer was a bit generic, and wanted more.
4. Explain [your] current job.
5. Explain a project that I described as one of my 3 accomplishments (this one I may have expected as it was the least described project as I had to rip out a lot of the details). So a lot on this project (what was the problem - give numbers, what was the solution, what was my specific role, who was driving the project)

Down in Virginia, a candidate for Darden recounted the interview experience with a second-year student:

1. “The only real question that they ask you is to ‘tell us about yourself,’ and the applicant takes it from there… That part went on for about 40 minutes and I led my remarks towards any potential follow up that could be asked, or at least that I had anticipated. I then used the next 15 minutes to ask questions, and I was surprised by the frankness and honesty of the student.

Moving on to MIT / Sloan, a Round 1 hopeful provided details about the off-campus interview with an adcom member:

1. “The adcom explained that MIT conducts behavioral type interviews… The questions included Why MBA / Why Now / Why MIT? And I was challenged or asked for more detail on each…  I was asked to describe more about two or three of my application essays. The questions were pretty vague (i.e. “you mentioned your undergraduate experience in essay 3, tell me more about that”), so I recommend reviewing immediately prior to the interview. I was asked what question I wished I was asked. I stumbled a bit because I was able to previously mention the two stories I had planned if this came up.”

These are just a few snapshots of the latest interview reports MBA applicants have added, but there are plenty of other questions to peruse in the Clear Admit Wiki! Also, be sure to check out the Clear Admit Interview Guides for some extra interview tips.  As always, we’d like to thank everyone who has contributed content to the Wiki this season and we wish the best of luck to those still facing some tough questions!

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Wiki Wednesdays: New Interview Reports from Chicago, CBS, Tuck, Duke, LBS, Kellogg, Michigan and Wharton!

Welcome to another installment of Wiki Wednesdays, where we share a few new interview tidbits from the Clear Admit Wiki.  Just this past week, we’ve received interview reports for no fewer than eight schools, including Chicago Booth, Columbia Business School, Dartmouth / Tuck, Duke / Fuqua, London Business School, Michigan / Ross, Northwestern / Kellogg and Wharton! We’d, therefore, like to start this post with a hearty “thanks!” to all those who have been contributing content to the Wiki and keeping it an informative resource for fellow MBA applicants!   

Before highlighting some of the latest posts, we’d like to remind those going through the MBA admissions process that we’ll be awarding a $10 iTunes gift certificate to every fifth applicant who contributes content to the Wiki through December 19th.  To be eligible for the prize, simply e-mail your content - whether an interview report, a school visit account or a school choices case - to wiki@clearadmit.com; we’ll post the content to the Wiki and notify the winners by e-mail.  Now, without further ado, here are a few snippets from the numerous reports that have rolled in recently!

A trio of applicants to Wharton shared their interview questions from second-year student interviewers, including:

1. How do you manage a global team?
2. How do you motivate your team members?
3. How do you deal with challenges in your team?
4. Tell me about a time when you exhibited leadership.
5. Provide three examples of how you would become involved with the Wharton community.

Wednesday, December 03, 2008

Wiki Wednesdays: Submit a Report, Win an iTunes Gift Card!

Welcome to this week’s edition of Wiki Wednesdays, where we highlight fresh and informative content in the Clear Admit Wiki, a user-generated resource of MBA applicants’ experiences with the admissions process. Before recapping some of the latest posts - from a pair of Chicago Booth interviews to a set of INSEAD interviews – we’d like to remind applicants of the potential to win a $10 iTunes gift card!

As announced in last week’s Wiki Wednesdays, we’ll be awarding a $10 iTunes gift certificate to every fifth applicant who contributes content to the Wiki through December 19th. Beyond interview information, we’d also love to see some more detailed accounts of visits to campus and decisions about where to apply. To be eligible for the prize, simply send your contribution to wiki@clearadmit.com; we’ll post it to the Wiki and notify the winners by e-mail.

Now, let’s take a closer look at the latest posts to the Clear Admit Wiki! One Round 1 applicant to Chicago Booth shared his “blind” interview experience – meaning the interviewer had not reviewed the candidate’s application prior to the interview – with an alumnus:

1. “The interview questions were pretty much as expected, all centered around why MBA, why now and why Chicago Booth… What took me by surprise was the depth of the standard questions. The interviewer probed… about the why MBA and tried to gauge whether my expectations from Chicago Booth were realistic, and whether there was match between my reasons for why MBA and his opinion about whether the school could provide what I expected from the MBA…My recommendation to interviewees is to be thoroughly prepared for the why MBA, why Chicago Booth part.”

In line with this candidate’s advice, applicants may want to conduct some research by checking out the school’s website, contacting current students or reading the Clear Admit School Guide for Chicago Booth in order to prepare a sound case. Meanwhile, blogger Soni shared his on-campus interview experience with a second-year Chicago student, recounting the following questions:

1. Tell me about yourself and how you got here.
2. Tell me about a couple of leadership experiences.
3. If you had a team member that wasn’t carrying his/her weight, how would you approach it?
4. Why Chicago?

An INSEAD Round 1 candidate also shared his interview experience in the Clear Admit Wiki this week. He faced the following queries from his alumni interviewers:

1. Why international? Why INSEAD?
2. Where do you see your career developing following the program?
3. Would [you] want to stay in France?
4. What would [you] offer to INSEAD? What clubs or organizations would you like to be involved in? When I responded, he asked me if I knew these clubs existed and had I researched and contacted people involved in them.

That wraps up Wiki Wednesdays for this week. Be sure to tune in next week for a glimpse at the latest posts to the Clear Admit Wiki! In the meantime, don’t miss the chance to help fellow applicants and win an iTunes gift card – send in your relevant admissions experience to wiki@clearadmit.com.

As always, we’d like to thank everyone who has contributed content to the Wiki! We look forward to receiving more reports and awarding iTunes gift cards over the next few weeks. Best of luck to those in the midst of interview season!

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Wiki Wednesdays: iTunes Gift Certificates for Wiki Contributors!

Welcome to another installment of Wiki Wednesdays, reporting the latest goings on with the Clear Admit Wiki. Firstly, we’d like to say thanks to all the applicants who’ve been submitting interview reports lately! Recent additions include an account of an Early Decision interview at Columbia, a Wharton applicant’s interview with a second-year student, a report on a relaxed UCLA / Anderson interview and blogger Hakuna Matata’s Michigan / Ross interview experience!

As we’ve stressed in this blog, and as anyone who’s used the site to prepare for their interviews will attest, having access to firsthand accounts of the interview process at a given program can be invaluable in understanding what a program is looking for and arriving at a feeling of readiness. To build this resource and encourage applicants who’ve already interviewed this season to post their interview reports, campus visit accounts and school decisions, we’ll be offering an added incentive over the next few weeks.

Between now and December 19th, we’ll be awarding a $10 iTunes gift certificate to every fifth applicant who contributes content to the Wiki. For those wondering what sort of details to include in their Wiki entries, we find that the most helpful and informative reports include the following information:

1. Date/Admissions Round
2. Description of visit and/or interview atmosphere
3. Type of interview (alum vs. adcom, blind vs. application-based)
4. List of interview questions
5. Commentary (What did you think of the interview? What surprised you? What didn’t surprise you? What might you conclude about the school based on this experience?)

Beyond interview information, we’d also love to see some more detailed accounts of visits to campus and decisions about where to apply.

To be eligible for the prize, simply send your contribution to wiki@clearadmit.com; we’ll post it to the Wiki and notify the winners by e-mail. Thanks in advance for your reports and don’t forget to check out the Clear Admit Interview Guides for extra interview tips!

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Wiki Wednesdays: UNC Kenan-Flagler, Northwestern Kellogg

Welcome to this week’s installment of Wiki Wednesdays, where we highlight fresh additions to the Clear Admit Wiki, an online collection of firsthand accounts of MBA applicants’ experiences with the admissions process. Before we take a closer look at some recent posts, we’d like to share an email we recently received from an appreciative Wiki user.  This note sheds some light on how the Wiki can be helpful in the MBA interview process:

—– Original Message —–
From: xxxxxx
To: wiki @ clearadmit . com
Sent: Friday, November 14, 2008 5:01 PM

The interview page in the wiki section of the Clear Admit website is a godsend! The questions provided by the students were very helpful in preparing for my interviews, both on and off campus, as I was able to formulate my responses beforehand and was not stumped during the interview itself. Even if I did not write out a response, having seen the question before helped as it was not a total surprise.

I have used the wiki section for multiple interviews in the past and I will use it during my preparations for my upcoming Wharton interview.

Regards,

XXXXXXX

We’re proud to provide such a useful forum, but the site could not be as “helpful” if not for firsthand accounts from applicants! Speaking of which, over the past week, we’ve received a number of interview reports for UNC / Kenan-Flagler and Northwestern / Kellogg. Without further ado, here’s a glimpse at the questions applicants posted to the Clear Admit Wiki…

A Round 2 applicant to UNC / Kenan Flagler listed the following questions:

1. Walk me through your resume?
2. Why do you want to get an MBA?
3. Why an MBA from Kenan Flagler?
4. What qualities do you hope to develop during your MBA?
5. What do you plan to do after your MBA?

Kicking the spotlight over to Kellogg, this applicant shared his encounter with the adcom, including some of the following questions:

1. Can you walk me through your key leadership experiences at company X?
2. Can you talk about your community experience?
3. Tell me 3 things you are good at? Or 3 good characteristics.
4. What would your colleagues tell me about you?
5. What kind of a person are you on a team?
6. What is an ideal teammate like?
7. What feedback have you used to do better?
8. What part of your application makes you nervous?
9. What do you want the reviewer to notice?

Thanks for joining us for this week’s Wiki Wednesdays! As always, we extend our gratitude to those who have contributed content to the Clear Admit Wiki for the benefit of the MBA applicant community. If you have an interview or campus visit to describe, be sure to share your experience! Simply create an account or send your reports to wiki@clearadmit.com. Don’t forget to check out the Clear Admit Interview Guides for a little extra help as well! Best of luck with those interviews and tune in next week for another taste of the Clear Admit Wiki.

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Wiki Wednesdays: Northwestern Kellogg, Michigan Ross and Columbia Business School Interview Reports

Welcome to this admissions season’s first edition of Wiki Wednesdays, where we highlight new and informative reports in the Clear Admit Wiki, an online repository of information learned by applicants throughout the admissions process. With several schools now conducting Round 1 interviews and HBS having just distributed a large number of Round 1 interview invitations, the roller coaster ride of questions and answers has begun. Several applicants have recently shared their interview experiences in the Wiki for such schools as Northwestern / Kellogg, Michigan / Ross and Columbia Business School. Let’s take a look at some of the queries these applicants faced!

One Kellogg applicant shared a “conversational” interview with a local alumnus:

1. [Describe your] leadership experiences.
2. [Explain] conflicts at the work place.
3. [Describe] tough decisions at work place.
4. [Explain a] situation during work when, you could see a solution that others could not.
5. What clubs will you get involved at Kellogg and why?
6. What unique traits will you bring to Kellogg?

Another Round 1 Kellogg candidate noted the following questions from his/her interview:

1. How do you find it beneficial working in a team?
2. [What do you] like about working in a team?
3. [What do you] dislike about working in a team?
4. [Identify] one situation where you made a difference as a leader.
5. [Explain] one decision that you are proud of.

Moving on to Michigan, a recent Ross applicant faced the following queries from an alumnus:

1. Tell me about your most significant leadership experience.
2. Tell me about a time you worked in a tough group setting.
3. What will you add to the Ross student body?
4. What extra-curricular activities would you join at Ross?

An admitted Early Decision candidate at Columbia summarized the alumna’s series of inquiries, “The questions were broadly why this [undergrad] school, why this company, why this switch, why MBA, why Columbia and a lot of discussion of my goals…I was also asked the standard ‘ethical dilemma’ question which I was prepared for.”

That just about wraps up this week’s edition of Wiki Wednesdays! Be sure to tune in next week for a glimpse at the latest posts to the Clear Admit Wiki. In the meantime, check out our Clear Admit Interview Guides, which provide school-specific insight and strategic advice to help applicants with their admissions interviews. Also, if you would like to add your interview experience to the Clear Admit Wiki, simply create an account or send your reports to wiki@clearadmit.com.

Thanks to all the applicants who have submitted their interview reports! Best of luck to those in the midst of interview season!

Wednesday, November 05, 2008

Interview Season and the Clear Admit Wiki

With a number of top schools currently rolling out Round One interview invitations - from Chicago GSB to Harvard Business School, Northwestern / Kellogg, Columbia Business School, Michigan / Ross School of Business and Wharton to Yale SOM - we wanted to take a moment today to point readers to the Clear Admit Wiki as a free source of breaking interview invitation news and extensive information on the interview process at each program. For those who aren’t familiar, the Wiki is a collaborative resource for the MBA applicant community where applicants can (anonymously or otherwise) post reports about their interviews, campus visits and application experiences at the top business schools, and read about those of others. Our hope is that the sum of these individual first hand accounts is a representative picture of the culture and processes at each program.

If you would like to add your interview experience to the Clear Admit Wiki, simply create an account or send your reports to wiki@clearadmit.com. The most helpful and informative reports usually include the following information:

1. Date/Admissions Round
2. Description of visit and/or interview atmosphere
3. Type of interview (alum vs. adcom, blind vs. application-based)
4. List of interview questions
5. Commentary (What did you think of the interview? What surprised you? What didn’t surprise you? What might you conclude about the school based on this experience?)

Applicants who would like to supplement the information available on the Wiki can check out our Clear Admit Interview Guides, which provide school-specific insight and strategic advice to help applicants with their admissions interviews.

As always, we wish the best of luck to Round One applicants who have submitted their materials and are now eagerly awaiting good news from their target schools! Stay tuned to this blog for an array of interview tips in the coming weeks, and keep an eye out for upcoming editions of Wiki Wednesdays, a column highlighting especially insightful and informative contributions to the Clear Admit Wiki.

Monday, November 03, 2008

Admissions Tip: MBA Interview Prep

With interview invitations from a number of programs already on their way out to Round One applicants, we wanted to offer some more advice on this element of the admissions process. Last week we posted some very basic etiquette information that will help candidates ensure that everything is in order on the big day. Today, we turn our attention to some steps one can take to prepare for the interview itself.

1) Know what to expect. This might go without saying, but interview types and duration vary across programs. For instance, nearly all invited Stanford applicants interview with alumni, while on-campus Wharton interviews are conducted by second-year students (and in rare cases admissions staff). Candidates for Columbia admission participate in an informative resume-based chat, while HBS and MIT interviewers have in-depth knowledge of the applicant’s entire file. Thinking carefully about the format of the interview and the person conducting it will influence the sort of questions you might come prepared to ask and help you arrive at a mindset conducive to success.

2) Review your materials. Because it’s important that you reinforce your positioning during the interview, reading over your essays and reflecting on the themes presented in your application is a great first step in preparing to speak about your ideas and objectives.

3) Tell them something they don’t know. In addition to reinforcing your existing message (a critical component of most interviews), the interview is also a great time to expand or add new information to your file via the interviewer’s notes. Have there been any major developments in your candidacy that you should share? Have you visited the campus or spoken with students since submitting your written materials? Have you made any strides toward your goals? Even if just an example from work or an activity that relates to the interview question but didn’t fit into your essays, it’s a great idea to approach the interview with the goal of enhancing the admissions committee’s knowledge of your candidacy.

4) Anticipate and practice. Though it’s impossible to predict the exact questions you will be asked, the type of interview and historical data will provide some great clues as to the sort of information the interviewer will be seeking. The Clear Admit Wiki could serve as a great starting point, as it features detailed firsthand interview accounts from applicants to the top MBA programs. After arriving at a list of possible inquiries, it’s a good idea to not only reflect on what you might say in response, but to actually practice articulating your responses, explaining your goals and recounting some significant professional and extracurricular experiences.

Best of luck to all those who are eagerly awaiting invitations and preparing for interviews! For more information about Clear Admit’s school-specific Interview Guides and mock interview service, feel free to send an email to info@clearadmit.com.

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Admissions Tip: Navigating MBA Admissions Interviews

Now that the first of many schools’ deadlines have come and gone, we’ve reached the point in the admissions season at which many applicants’ thoughts turn to interviews.  As a number of our readers enter into the often agonizing invitation wait period, we thought we’d comment on some simple steps to make sure you’re as prepared as possible when the good news comes.

1. Familiarize yourself with the interview process at your target programs. Will you want to get started making contacts at the school to fill a day on campus (and generate some great interview fodder), or do your programs of choice rely on local alumni to conduct their interviews?  Should you be practicing a walk-through of your background for an interviewer with no knowledge of your candidacy, or brainstorming new examples to share with an adcom member who’s already read your essays?  Building your knowledge of each school’s interview type and style will ensure that the time you spend reflecting and preparing is well spent.  The Clear Admit Interview Guides are a great way to answer the above questions and many others, offering an overview of each school’s interview process, a list of questions commonly asked by that program, a sample account, campus visit information (if applicable) and detailed school-specific strategic guidance.   We’ve just added the Darden School of Business at UVA and the Anderson School of Management at UCLA to our catalog of Clear Admit Interview Guides today, for a total of eighteen titles.

2. Polish your resume. No matter where you’ve applied, there’s one thing that you’ll need for your interview at virtually any school: a one-page resume.  The post-submission weeks are the perfect time to revisit your resume and make sure that it presents a representative overview of your candidacy that a ready of any background could easily understand.  Even if you have uploaded your resume as a part of the application, most schools allow applicants to present a revised version at the interview itself (this is particularly true for blind or alumni-based interviews).  For guidance in tailoring your resume to address the unique interests and backgrounds of MBA admissions committees, check out the Clear Admit Resume Guide.  With illustrative examples and detailed explanations, the Resume Guide will teach you how to present your qualifications and experiences to your best advantage, in terms of both content and presentation.

3. Build upon your understanding of each of the schools you’ve targeted. Of course, as is the case with one’s application essays, it’s not enough to wow the adcom with your professional and personal credentials and accomplishments; it’s also necessary to demonstrate deep knowledge of each school’s offerings and strengths to convince the interviewer that your interest in the school is well informed and that  you are poised to make a valuable contribution to the campus community.  Brushing up on the details of your target programs’ curricula, following breaking news from the schools, and thinking through how you would get involved and make a difference inside and outside of the classroom will certainly be fruitful interview preparation.  The Clear Admit School Guides, available for eighteen leading MBA programs, gather all the information you’ll need to understand the ins and outs of each school’s academic program and determine what sets your target program apart from its peers.

All Clear Admit Guides are available for purchase and immediate download from the Clear Admit shop.  Discounts are available for School Guide/Resume Guide combos, and for three or more of one kind of Guide.

We wish the best of luck to everyone waiting for word from their R1 schools … happy interviewing!

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Wiki Wednesdays: Last Chance to Win an iTunes Gift Card!

Welcome to another edition of Wiki Wednesdays, where we take a tour of the newest reports in the Clear Admit Wiki, a user-generated resource of applicants’ first hand experiences with the MBA admissions process. Before highlighting some of the latest additions to the Clear Admit Wiki, however, we’d like to remind all MBA applicants who have been interviewed this season that we’ve extended our iTunes gift card contest through this Friday, March 21st!

Between now and this Friday, we’ll be awarding a $10 iTunes gift certificate to the first 10 applicants who contribute interview reports to MIT/Sloan, LBS or Stanford GSB. We’ll also be awarding a $15 iTunes gift certificate to every fifth applicant who contributes any interview field report content to the Wiki through this Friday, March 21st. (Note: if iTunes isn’t your thing, we are happy to substitute the prize with an Amazon.com gift certificate). To be eligible for a prize, simply send your contribution to wiki@clearadmit.com; we’ll post it to the Wiki and notify the winners by e-mail (one gift card limit per person).

Now, let’s take a look at what our most recent contributors had to share…

One applicant shared a set of questions from a ‘blind’ interview (where the interviewer only had access to the applicant’s resume), from a Chicago GSB associate director of admissions. A few of the questions included:

1. What are you most proud of?
2. What is the biggest challenge you faced at work?
3. What is the biggest challenge you think you will face at the GSB?
4. How will you contribute to and engage in the GSB community?

A Super Saturday participant from Berkeley/Haas recounted his interview experience with a first-year student. This interview was also blind and the following are just a few questions from the 45 minute interview:

1. [Identify a] challenging interaction with a team member
2. If we were in a project group for a class together next spring, how would [you] contribute?
3. How do you get team members to “break free” of specific silos of responsibility?

In Ithaca, a recent Cornell/Johnson applicant reported the following queries:

1. Why aren’t you applying to X double-degree program if you are interested in X field?
2. What are the similarities/differences of the schools to which you applied?

When facing such questions about a school’s program, details can often make the difference. With a thorough knowledge of a school’s offerings (as can be found in the Clear Admit School Guides and by thoroughly researching a school’s website or speaking with current students), one can prepare a sound case. The Clear Admit Interview Guides also offer extra interview advice.

Thanks for tuning into this week’s Wiki Wednesdays! Don’t forget to e-mail your MBA admissions experiences to wiki@clearadmit.com this week for your last chance to win an iTunes gift card! Thanks in advance for your contributions!

Wednesday, March 05, 2008

Wiki Wednesdays: Add a Report, Win an iTunes Gift Certificate!

Welcome to this week’s edition of Wiki Wednesdays, where we highlight some snippets of the latest interview reports from the Clear Admit Wiki, a repository of information learned by applicants as they progress through the MBA admissions process. A number of interview reports have rolled in this past week, from a friendly Chicago interview to a thorough report on a Kellogg alumnus interview. We also heard from a number of applicants to Ross, Wharton, and last, but certainly not least, London Business School. Let’s take a closer look at what our contributors had to share…

A Ross applicant faced the following queries from a second-year student:

1. Tell me three words that describe your personality.
2. Tell me about a leadership experience.
3. What do you like to do outside of work?

Though three words may seem like a limited - and potentially constricting - response, it’s important to remember that the chance to demonstrate one’s chosen (or other) qualities may be just around the corner (in the next question, that is). Ranging from open-ended queries on personal qualities to some very specific situations, several Round 2 Wharton applicants also faced challenging probes:

1. What makes you unique?
2. How would you describe yourself?
3. Tell me about an incident where you led a team without any formal authority.
4. Tell me about an ethical dilemma you faced.
5. Where do you travel? What did you do? Were you alone?

Let’s take a hop across the pond for a closer look at what an LBS candidate dubbed a “totally different” interview:

“[The interviewer] started … by walking me through some crucial facts about LBS (Shadowing Project, Second Year Project, and etc.) and we spent a lot of time discussing about them…Some of the few questions I recalled were “What do I think about the school’s marketing program and why do I think an MBA is right for me.”…After 45 minutes, he told me to get ready for the impromptu…After the impromptu, we spent another 30 minutes talking about the schools. Its pros and cons.”

With a variety of questions, from a three word Ross answer to what may seem like a marathon interview in London, that wraps up Wiki Wednesdays for this week.

As a reminder, to further strengthen this resource, we’re awarding a $15 iTunes gift certificate to every fifth applicant who contributes content to the Wiki through March 14th. In addition, between now and this Friday, March 7th, we’ll be awarding a $10 iTunes gift certificate to the first 10 applicants who contribute interview reports for Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business, UCLA’s Anderson School of Management, MIT Sloan or Stanford GSB. To be eligible for a prize, simply send your contribution to wiki@clearadmit.com; we’ll post it to the Wiki and notify the winners by e-mail (one gift card limit per person).

Thanks in advance for your reports, and don’t forget to check out the Clear Admit Interview Guides for extra interview advice!

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Wiki Wednesdays: iTunes Gift Certificates for Wiki Contributors!

Welcome to another installment of Wiki Wednesdays, reporting the latest goings on with the Clear Admit Wiki. Firstly, we’d like to say thanks to all the applicants who’ve been submitting interview reports lately! Recent additions include an account of a pleasant interview at Yale, an accepted Columbia candidate’s thorough interview report, a Chicago applicant’s interview with an alumnus, and a rundown of Wharton interview questions.

As we’ve stressed in this blog, and as anyone who’s used the site to prepare for their interviews will attest, having access to firsthand accounts of the interview process at a given program can be invaluable in understanding what a program is looking for and arriving at a feeling of readiness. To build this resource and encourage applicants who’ve already interviewed this season to post their interview reports, campus visit accounts and school decisions, we’ll be offering an added incentive over the next few weeks.

Between now and March 14th, we’ll be awarding a $15 iTunes gift certificate to every fifth applicant who contributes content to the Wiki. For those wondering what sort of details to include in their Wiki entries, we find that the most helpful and informative reports include the following information:

1. Date/Admissions Round
2. Description of visit and/or interview atmosphere
3. Type of interview (alum vs. adcom, blind vs. application-based)
4. List of interview questions
5. Commentary (What did you think of the interview? What surprised you? What didn’t surprise you? What might you conclude about the school based on this experience?)

Beyond interview information, we’d also love to see some more detailed accounts of visits to campus and decisions among programs.

To be eligible for the prize, simply send your contribution to wiki@clearadmit.com; we’ll post it to the Wiki and notify the winners by e-mail. Thanks in advance for your reports and don’t forget to check out the Clear Admit Interview Guides for extra interview tips!