{"id":26326,"date":"2014-11-16T09:45:12","date_gmt":"2014-11-16T16:45:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/?p=26326"},"modified":"2014-11-16T15:09:04","modified_gmt":"2014-11-16T22:09:04","slug":"team-based-discussion-interviews","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/team-based-discussion-interviews\/","title":{"rendered":"Team-Based Discussion Interviews"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Networking\"<\/a>Wharton and Ross initiated a new MBA interview format, the team-based discussion (TBD). This type of interview brings a group of applicants together in person to work through a problem together as an organizational team does. This team activity is followed by a short one-to-one talk with an adcom representative (either a second-year student or an adcom member). It is now part of Wharton<\/span><\/a>\u2019s regular mode for interviews. At Ross, it\u2019s not required, and they use traditional methods for their evaluative interviews.<\/p>\n

Why adcoms use this method:<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u2022 Some adcoms have found traditional interview modes increasingly ineffective as they feel that candidates over-prepare<\/span><\/a> and over-strategize for interviews, thus undercutting authenticity.<\/p>\n

\u2022 The adcoms want to see the candidates in team action, since students\u2019 success in the program (and in their future career) will rest in part on their teamwork<\/span><\/a> and interpersonal skills.<\/p>\n

\u2022 This approach gives the adcom insight into the applicants that no other application component provides \u2013 how they actually respond to people and situations in real time.<\/p>\n

\u2022 The post-activity discussion shows your ability to self-reflect and analyze your own role and performance \u2013 qualities the adcom values.<\/p>\n

Process:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Wharton \u2013 When you receive an invitation to interview, you\u2019ll go online and select a time and date to attend a 5- or 6-member, approximately 45-minute TBD. Wharton will send you a prompt, which is the topic for the team activity; Wharton advises spending about an hour preparing with this prompt. In the TBD, each person will have a minute to articulate his own idea on the topic, and then the team will work together toward a group decision. After the TBD, you will meet individually with one of the two evaluators for 10-15 minutes to discuss your thoughts on how it went. You and the evaluator may discuss other topics as well.<\/p>\n

Ross<\/span><\/a> \u2013 Ross sends no prompt. Rather, it\u2019s more like a team-building activity. You\u2019ll receive the invitation to participate when you receive your regular interview invite, and can accept or decline. If you accept, you\u2019ll meet in a group of 4-6. The team is given 2 words, and they first prepare individual presentations connecting these words (10 minutes for this portion). Then the group receives additional random words, and they have 20 minutes to prepare a team presentation that uses the words to address a problem and articulate a solution. The individuals in the team, not the team as a whole, are evaluated either by second-year students or adcom members, who also interview them separately afterward.<\/p>\n

Benefits and pitfalls for applicants:<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u2022 Benefit: You can showcase your interpersonal, team, and leadership skills more vividly than any essay or individual interview could portray.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Benefit: You can get a real flavor of the programs\u2019 teamwork dynamic.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Benefit: You can enjoy meeting peers and potential classmates.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Drawback: You have less control, as you have to assess and respond to the group dynamics instantly; there is no margin for error.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Drawback: Logistically it\u2019s complex \u2013 always harder to get a group together.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Drawback: While the adcoms think it gives them a lens on you as a team player, in \u201creal life\u201d you usually have some time to adapt to a new team, and your true teamwork abilities will come out over time as you respond, whereas here there\u2019s no time to grow and adapt with the team, so it\u2019s a somewhat artificial setup.<\/p>\n

How to make this type of interview work for you<\/strong> (this is in addition to all the common sense advice for good MBA interviews<\/span><\/a>):<\/p>\n

\u2022 Review Accepted.com\u2019s tips<\/span><\/a> for this interview format.<\/p>\n

\u2022 For Wharton, prepare and practice your one-minute presentation.<\/p>\n

\u2022 For Ross, do the word activity with yourself or a friend, to get used to it.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Think about your inclinations, behaviors, feelings, and approaches when working in a team or group setting, and also ask a colleague or two for some objective feedback. You shouldn\u2019t change your natural approach, but you can certainly play to your strengths and minimize negative tendencies.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Read online about other applicants\u2019 experiences with the group interview.<\/p>\n

\u2022Make your goal the team\u2019s success and ability to complete the assigned task, not its adoption of your idea.<\/p>\n

[NOTE: This post is part of a series about MBA interview formats, click here<\/a> to check out the rest of the posts]<\/em><\/p>\n

\"Have<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Cindy<\/a> By Cindy Tokumitsu<\/a>, author and co-author of numerous ebooks, articles, and special reports, including <\/em><\/em>Why MBA<\/a> and <\/em><\/em>Best MBA Programs: A Guide to Selecting the Right One<\/a>. Cindy has advised hundreds of successful applicants in her fifteen years with Accepted.com.<\/em><\/em><\/p>\n

Related Resources:<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u2022 MBA Interview Formats Series<\/a>
\n\u2022 Seven Tips for MBA Interview Prep<\/a>
\n\u2022 How to Prep for Your MBA Interviews<\/a><\/p>\n

Accepted.com's experienced admissions consultants<\/span><\/a> can help you create the most impressive application possible with comprehensive packages<\/span><\/a>, <\/i><\/b>or provide targeted assistance from picking perfect programs<\/span><\/a> to designing a dazzling resume<\/span><\/a>, constructing engaging essays<\/span><\/a>, or preparing for intense interview<\/span><\/a>s<\/span><\/a>\u2026and more! Accepted.com has guided thousands of applicants to acceptances at top MBA programs since 1994 \u2013 we know what works and what doesn't, so contact us<\/span><\/a> to get started now!<\/p>\n

This article originally appeared on the Accepted Admissions Consulting Blog<\/a>, the official blog of Accepted.com.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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