MBA Interview Questions You Should Expect

Getting into business school relies on many factors. And while many applicants spend ample time and effort stressing over everything from grades to the essay, there’s another, often intimidating obstacle waiting up ahead of them. The interview. The good news? You don’t have to stutter and stammer awkwardly through the conversation. Instead, start prepping your answers to these six common business school interview questions.

1. Why do you want to earn a business degree?

Sure, an MBA may put you on the fast track to big bucks, but this isn’t the answer business schools are looking for. (Nor is it a particularly good reason to go.) Looking at this question through the frame of your career goals and how a business degree can help you reach them will yield a simple yet satisfying answer.

Think of it this way: An MBA is a terminal, professional degree. Focusing your response on how it can help you achieve your professional goals is both direct and informative.

2. Why are you interested in this school/program?

There are hundreds, if not thousands, of business schools all around the globe. So what makes one better than another? The possibilities are manifold - but only if you do your due diligence.

Before stepping foot into an MBA interview, take time to research each program’s features and characteristics. Identify what attracted you to the school or program, and how the unique aspects of these fit your academic and career goals. Facilities, faculty, course offerings, networking opportunities, student activities, class size, and location are all components to look at when drilling down on this question. This is an opportunity to showcase not only your knowledge, but also how you fit the program and vice versa. Be specific and show that you've done your research, considered your options, and made an informed choice.

3. Describe a time when you had to be a leader.

Odds are, you haven’t gotten this far in life without stepping into a leadership position at one point or another. And leadership is a big deal in MBA programs. Unfortunately, it’s not unusual for people to draw blanks when put on the spot during an interview, or for the formulation of the question to mismatch with your prepared example.

That's why it's a good idea to have a few leadership examples at the ready. Don’t limit yourself to academic or professional leadership examples, either. Extracurricular and interpersonal leadership experience can also demonstrate initiative, commitment, and time management skills.

And think about different kinds of leadership. Even if you don't have a preferred style of leadership...yet...knowing how to describe them and having examples where you used different types of leadership can be the difference between faltering in the interview and sticking the landing.

💡 Did you know that you can also pursue MBAs in Leadership?

4. Describe a time when you failed.

No one likes to talk about their worst moments. However, this is a relatively common question that arises during MBA interviews (and job interviews). The good news? No one expects (or will believe) that you have led a failure-free life. Rather, the interviewer is usually looking to learn more about how you dealt with the situation, what you learned from the experience, and how you’ll apply that learning moving forward.

A few good points to bring to your answer:

• Accept responsibility. Don't deflect blame or try to minimize your role in the incident.
• Own your reaction. Even if you're not proud of how you initially responded to the failure, you can demonstrate learning and growth by examining why you reacted that way and how you have changed that mindset.
• Reflect on what you would do differently in a similar situation. Include how you would set yourself up for success, alter your reaction, or minimize the damage.
• Avoid sharing “pseudo failures” and humble bragging (i.e., the success parading as a failure) as well as mistakes that may suggest serious character flaws.
• Keep the overall assessment positive and learning-focused.

5. What other schools are you applying to?

It would be unreasonable for a business school to expect applicants to apply to only one program. Yet this question can still feel like a minefield. In truth, it serves several purposes.

For starters, it can give them more insight into their yield. It can also help them understand more about you as a candidate. Do the programs share similarities? Are you diversifying your options?

It is fine to be honest and list all the schools to which you’ve applied, as well as why you chose them. However, it’s more important to convey why the school where you’re currently interviewing is in the running and why you would be excited to be accepted. The more your selection criteria meld with the offerings of the school, the more genuine you’ll come off.

6. What questions do you have for me?

The interview isn’t just a chance for schools to get a better sense of who you are as a candidate. It’s an equal opportunity for you to understand more about each school. Don’t think you’re doing an interviewer a favor by refraining from asking questions. This makes you look, at best, unenterprising and, at worst, indifferent.

Instead, prepare a list of at least five or more questions to ask the interviewer. Some of these may be covered during the interview and can be ignored. Others are a convenient opportunity for you to learn more about the finer points of a particular business school, as well as for you to convey your interest and thoughtfulness to the interviewers.

Conclusion

While you may not be asked all six of these questions during your interview (and may also be asked additional questions, too), thinking about these questions in advance can help you come off as a calm, collected, and compelling candidate.