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Tips on the Wharton MBA Admissions Interview

Invited to an interview? Here are some tips directly from the Admissions Committee to to help prepare you…

PURPOSE

Interviews provide additional information about your candidacy that is included in the final reviews of your application. As such inteviews, are not the decisive factor in your admissions decision. In most cases, interviews are fairly consistent with the application.

STRUCTURE

Interviews are blind, which reduces bias as your interviewer will have no preconceived ideas of your ability or personality based on your written application.

Interviews may include behavioral questions. Questions may center on specific examples or detailed descriptions of events, projects or experience that demonstrate how situations you’ve faced in the past have been handled and what you learned from them. Behavioral interviewing assumes that past performance predicts future behavior.

No advance preparation is required. Questions are straightforward and cover topics such as why you seek an MBA, why you feel you are a good fit for Wharton (vice versa), what your career goals are, how you spend your spare time, what you value, about what you are passionate, etc. You will not be asked analyze a case study or demonstrate your mastery of particular subjects.

All interviews carry equal weight. There is no advantage to interviewing on-campus or with an admissions staff member. Arrange the type of interview that is most convenient for you.

GENERAL TIPS

Interviews are dialogues or exchange between two people. Steer away from pre-rehearsed speech and over reliance on your résumé. We are interested in getting to know you as an individual, so follow the queues of the interviewer.

The exact length of the interview does not indicate how well the interview went. While we schedule 30 minute interviews, they may vary a bit. Deviations from the schedule are random and unrelated to the candidate.

Do not expect the interviewer to give you feedback – literally or figuratively. Be careful to avoid any interpretation of verbal or non-verbal communication, as both may mislead you.

Interviews are not a popularity contest. The interviewer is assessing your fit for the Wharton MBA program, not whether or not the two of you would make good or best friends.

The key is to relax, be genuine, and enjoy the opportunity for us to get to know one another.

08 Nov 2007 07:13 AM in Application Strategy | Permalink

Comments

A great place for MBA related information and details.

Posted by: Kent dentist | May 29, 2009 3:14:58 AM

Deeply interested in an MBA can access given to the United Nations, I come here to ask you for more advice. My basic training is Civil Engineer and Infrastructure; now, I am 33 years old and am a project manager for "roads, sanitation and drinking water systems" for developing countries in Africa within the Belgian's Agency for Technical Cooperation Development.
Your advice would be welcome.

Thanks

Maximin ADDRA
21, Rue du Docteur SUREAU
93160 Noisy-le-Grand
PARIS/FRANCE

Posted by: Maximin ADDRA | Nov 19, 2007 12:17:43 PM

Good morning Sir,

I want to know how can ido to study an MBA in wharton and if i can get facilities about the language and scholarship for the MBA or maybe i can pay after i finish study.

ELMO CACERES RODRIGUEZ
LIMA PERU

Posted by: ELMO CACERES RODRIGUEZ | Nov 15, 2007 10:36:25 AM

If you have not heard about an interview at this point, is it safe to assume that you will not be receiving one and hence not accepted?

Posted by: Anonymous | Nov 14, 2007 12:38:07 PM

GENERAL TIPS

"Interviews are dialogues or exchange between two people. Steer away from pre-rehearsed speech and over reliance on your résumé. We are interested in getting to know you as an individual, so follow the queues of the interviewer."

Shouldn't "queues" be "cues" in this case???

:) Thanks.

Posted by: Ashish Bhatnagar | Nov 13, 2007 3:17:34 PM

Nice information regarding the interviews..Thanks alot. YOu were so honest and truthful. It inspired me also to be truthful and myself while taking an interview, if I get the opportunity. THanks again
Nitin

Posted by: Nitin Gupta | Nov 11, 2007 6:54:55 AM