Alberta University (Class of 2018) - Calling all Applicants!

First of all, thanks a lot for the reply CABBA, I went through the university website and also submitted my profile for "Preliminary Assessment". They replied -my profile looks to fit into the program and I need to complete the GMAT. I wanted to know about the interview and the video essays, in the sense are they tough or are they generic.

thanks again!!!!!!!!

It depends on your ability to handle interviews. After you submit the application online they will inform you whether or not they want you to complete video essays and/or the interview. Being that you are still preparing for the GMAT, it's a bit early to start worrying about the interview/video essays (you might not even get an interview).
For me the video essays were a bit stressful, but overall the process was tolerable. You set up the online interface, it then plays a prompt recorded by one of the U of A AdCom members, and then it records your response via your webcam/microphone. The questions are generic, "give an example of a time....", "what is the most important.....", etc. The difficult thing about the video essays is making what sounds like an intelligent response, in a professional manner on the first take, for a question that will be a bit unsettling. The tips I gathered from a variety of resources were: 1. Prepare the room so that the background looks professional 2. Wear proper attire 3. Make use of the practice questions (they are offered at the stage that you are setting up the interface), so that you can get comfortable recording yourself and producing a professional clip on the first attempt. Note that one question will require you to type and submit a written response to the prompt, this sounds easier but time is limited.
With regards to the final interview, for me it was pretty straightforward. You can do it in person or online (Skype). Basically the interviewer wanted me to take them through my application (essentially the resume and the letter of intent). I believe it's the last chance for the AdCom to confirm that you are who your application says you are, with regards to your personality, experience, qualifications and post-MBA goals. I recall a question or two during the interview that were behavioral descriptive and a question regarding my prior work experience.


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It depends on your ability to handle interviews. After you submit the application online they will inform you whether or not they want you to complete video essays and/or the interview. Being that you are still preparing for the GMAT, it's a bit early to start worrying about the interview/video essays (you might not even get an interview).
For me the video essays were a bit stressful, but overall the process was tolerable. You set up the online interface, it then plays a prompt recorded by one of the U of A AdCom members, and then it records your response via your webcam/microphone. The questions are generic, "give an example of a time....", "what is the most important.....", etc. The difficult thing about the video essays is making what sounds like an intelligent response, in a professional manner on the first take, for a question that will be a bit unsettling. The tips I gathered from a variety of resources were: 1. Prepare the room so that the background looks professional 2. Wear proper attire 3. Make use of the practice questions (they are offered at the stage that you are setting up the interface), so that you can get comfortable recording yourself and producing a professional clip on the first attempt. Note that one question will require you to type and submit a written response to the prompt, this sounds easier but time is limited.
With regards to the final interview, for me it was pretty straightforward. You can do it in person or online (Skype). Basically the interviewer wanted me to take them through my application (essentially the resume and the letter of intent). I believe it's the last chance for the AdCom to confirm that you are who your application says you are, with regards to your personality, experience, qualifications and post-MBA goals. I recall a question or two during the interview that were behavioral descriptive and a question regarding my prior work experience.


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Thanks CABBA, I owe you one for the immense help. That was all the info i wanted. Am appearing for GMAT in August. Hoping to score well.

cheers!!!!!!!!

No problem, good luck with the test.
As you probably know the average score for the U of A full time class (2015 in take) was around 610 and they quote 550 as the minimum acceptable score on their website, so that gives you something to shoot for. Obviously the higher the better, especially if you want to keep your options open for other schools as well. Good luck.

CABBA here has covered pretty much everything and has done a pretty good job in doing so. I just wanted to add one small thing that really proved to be very helpful with my interviews and overall admissions. Try and connect with the adcom in person. I had the opportunity to meet the adcom members of all my target schools here in India, and it helped me immensely during the interviews. It would serve as an opportunity to establish a friendly connect with the adcom members and interviewers.

Try TopMBA tours around the world, and even better try the Indo-Canadian Chamber of Commerce MBA Tour if you are in India.
https://icbc.org.in/ai1ec_event/edu-cana ... stance_id=

My Schulich interview lasted around 8-9 minutes, as the interviewer felt he's already got an understanding of me and my profile. I had met him twice in Bangalore and he was pretty pleased to admit me. Same was the case with Alberta as well, as Charlene Patry felt connected with me, and though was a little longer it was cool, friendly and more of a pleasant chat rather than an interview. All the best.

Warm Regards,
Vijay G

Hi All,

Yesterday, I received one mail from Eva stating that admission committee has recommended to FGSR for admission. I would like to know usually in how much time FGSR respond back on decision. Is there any possibility FGSR rejects application for admission?

BR
Manoj

From what I recall the final letter of admission will follow in about a week to ten days. I believe this time frame is discussed earlier in this thread, so read back a bit.
While there is a chance that the Faculty of Graduate Studies may impede your acceptance, as far as I know FGSR approval (following the recommendation from the Faculty of Business) is mostly automatic. The FGSR may request more information (such as additional transcripts) or stipulate conditions for your acceptance, but most likely you will be officially accepted in a week or two. Congrats.


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Thanks a lot CABBA.

Hi There.
I Just want to know if everyone who was accepted to Alberta got a personal interview. I had the kiratalent interviews on June 8 and I have not received any confirmation for a personal interview. How long does it take?

Thanks

Hi, yes, I guess almost every one of us got an interview. It normally takes about a week for them to revert. But if you are running on a tight schedule (loans, VISA.etc) please feel free to write to Chris or Charlene and request for an early evaluation. All the best.

Regards.,
Vijay G

Hi guys, I had my final interview last Friday! I am awaiting a response from the admission committee. I applied for the fast track program and I intend to do it part-time as my employer here would like to help me financially(partly). Let me know if you guys have any questions about arriving in Canada, I was an international student myself when I came here. You can get in touch with me by e-mail at sodhi.prateek@gmail.com or even linkedin.

Congrats Sodhi. I am applying for part time program as well. Can you please share your timeline? I am still waiting for the first interview...

Hi mshi,

Here's the timeline:
May 28: formal application sent
May 30: Call for 1st interview
June 5: Video interview completed
June 6: call for 2nd interview
June 10: 2nd interview completed
And today I just heard back from them that they are recommending me for admission. They can not offer me the fast track program unfortunately.

Hope this helps. Also I recommend that you e-mail Chris or Charlene to get an update on your application. They both are pretty cool, and quick to reply e-mails.

Thanks. My application was ready and submitted on May 27th. But I have yet to hear anything. I guess it may be buried in another pile. I will check with Chris tomorrow.

I submitted part time application June 1st. Nothing yet. Bit worried now since Sodhi got 1st interview within 2 days.

Can some part time applicant post their timeline. Thanks in advance!

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Some one please post Chris or Charlene email so that I can follow up.

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