3 Ways to Prepare for a Business School Interview

3 Ways to Prepare for a Business School Interview Youve written the essays and submitted your test scores, but did you know your business school interview is one of the most important parts of your application? Admissions committees want to see who you are and how you will represent their MBA program as a future alum. When preparing for your business school interview, rehearse potential interview questions and make a game plan for interview day. Keep reading to learn three other ways to prepare for a business school interview. 1. Do your research prior to your business school interview Before you attend your interview, learn everything you can about the MBA program. This will involve reading the information that the school provides on its website and in its marketing materials, and gathering insights about the program from other sources. Take an on-campus tour so that you can experience the school in person. Connect with alumni, as well as with current students, faculty, and staff to hear their perspectives on the program. Additionally, review the application that you submitted, so that you can recall what you told the admissions committee about who you are and what you want from your MBA experience. Determine how you can present yourself as an excellent fit for their school. [RELATED: How to Make the Most of Your Business School Campus Visit] 2. Practice a mock business school interview During your b-school interview, you must be able to succinctly and sincerely explain both why you want to attend business school in general and why you are applying to this particular program. There are many questions you can expect during your b-school interview, including: What are your career goals? How will an MBA help you? What are your strengths and weaknesses? Why should we select you for our program? Even if your interviewers do not ask these questions directly, they still want to know these answers about you. Therefore, during your interview, find ways to convey who you are, what you want from a graduate school education, and why you are a great fit for their program. You should also prepare your own questions for the interviewer. These questions should demonstrate your thought processes, your interest in the school, and your goals for entering an MBA program. For example, if you would like to participate in case competitions during your time in business school, then mention the past competitions that the school has sent student teams to, and ask how you can get involved once you're admitted. Or, if you plan to work in sustainable energy after graduation, ask how the program partners with environmental MBA organizations like Net Impact. Your inquiries should reflect your commitment to becoming a knowledgeable, involved member of your future business school community. [RELATED: The 2 Soft Skills You Need for Business School] 3. Make a plan for the day of your business school interview Whether you have to travel across town, across the country, or across the globe for your business school interview, create a strategy for success. If you are driving yourself to your interview, identify alternate routes in case of traffic, roadwork, or accidents along your regular path. Most importantly, arrive early to your interview. You can use the extra time before your meeting to explore the campus or review your notes. [RELATED: What I Wish I Knew Before Starting Business School] Your business school interview doesnt need to be a stressful process. By preparing for your meeting, you can eliminate much of the anxiety that you may have about the interview. Simply view this as a conversation between professional colleagues who have a shared interest in higher education. Also be sure to send a handwritten thank you note to your interviewer promptly after the meeting. Any topics you want to know more about? Let us know! The Varsity Tutors blog editors love hearing your feedback and opinions. Feel free to email us at blog@varsitytutors.com.