Booth 2012 - Calling All Applicants

Not to beat a dead horse, but this is verbatim from the interview invitation: "Wear business attire to the interview, regardless of where it is conducted."

Just go with the suit and tie. If it's that hot and stuffy out, I'm sure your interviewer will invite you to take off your jacket or loosen your collar. If not, it's 30-45 minutes -- not the end of the world.

And it doesn't really matter if you're going to look out of place. I'd rather have random college students think I look out of place than have my interviewer think I wasn't taking the interview seriously.

I just did my off-campus interview with an alum. Lucky for me, I had been prepping for every question I was asked and I felt that my answers came out sincere and not rehearsed.

In no particular order, here are the questions:

1. Tell me about yourself (essentially, walk me through your resume)
2. Why Booth?
3. Why an MBA?
4. What is your plan for after graduation?
5. If you could change anything about your career up until now, what would it be?
6. How would your friends describe you?
7. What are your plans if you don't get into Booth? Will you apply again next year?

We only had 30 minutes for the interview, so I was only asked those 7 questions and I was allowed time to ask some of my own questions. Remember to prepare some good questions because I really got a deeper sense (beyond what I already had) of the Booth alumni community from one of the questions I asked.

In all, it really didn't feel like an interview; it was more like a conversation. So, do your prep work, practice out-loud in front of your mirror and don't sweat it!

Were you asked what your plans are if you don't get into Booth specifically, or what your plans are if you don't get into any MBA program at all? If the former, I would assume it would be safe to say that you hope to get into another school to which you applied, right?

I was asked about my plans if I didn't get into Booth. I would assume that your interviewer understands that you're applying to other schools, but I'm not sure how it looks to them if you say you're going to "settle" (in your interviewers eyes, of course) for another MBA program. I said I'd stay at my current job and be quite content with my career and of course I'd apply to Booth again next year. This is easy for me to say since I like my company and Booth is the only interview I've received.

Just got back from my off-campus interview. We met at a local Starbucks and my interviewer was very professional. I felt that we had some awkward moments where I thought he would comment but he didn't. I think I rambled for 90% of the time:

1. He started off with why MBA? (threw me off cause I figured he'd want to walk through my resume first, he never asked me to go through it. I also went ahead and answered why now and why booth?)

We got off on a tangent talking about markets and investments (we have a similar background). Then he says he needs to get to the required questions.

2. Tell me about a time you made a decision you regret.
3. Tell me about a time you had to juggle a lot of responsibilities.
4. Are you applying anywhere else?
5. How do you think you'll contribute to Booth?
6. Any questions for me?

I asked him 3 questions. I had more in my pocket, but I could tell he was ready to go. The whole interview lasted about an hour. I'm not too confident that my interviewer liked me...fingers crossed. Good luck everyone!

If the interview went for an hour that's a positive thing, especially given that you veered the conversation off on a tangent and you were both engrossed in that part of the discussion. If the interviewer didn't like you, they wouldn't have had an hour long interview. A buddy of mine got grilled for 90 minutes by his Booth interviewer and he thought he totally bombed it, but he was accepted.

I think we're our own worst critics, so stay positive.

Thanks for the vote of confidence. Hope we all get accepted

Thanks to all for your inputs. I shall put up my experience soon!

They usually call every admitted student the day before the decision deadline. If you don't receive the call the day before is very liklely that you'll receive a ding.
Good luck to all

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Or waitlist, right?

You are right

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Hi guys!

What do you think it's the best answer when asked about what other schools I'm applying? Please, consider that I'm applying to CBS. I want to avoid them to believe I'm going to CBS if I have the opportunity. That may make them to ding me. Neither I want them to believe I'll go to Booth but I'm not a man of his word (because of ED statement).

Not that simple, isn't it?

Thank you!

They're not stupid and they understand that the b-school process is highly competitive and that you're probably applying to multiple schools. I'd probably name a few of the schools you're applying to but point out why you'd rather go to Booth over those other schools. Given your Columbia example, you can say "I'm applying to Columbia, but I love Booth's flexible curriculum compared to Columbia's Core set of classes."

Also, did you apply to Columbia ED and get accepted?

Hi dsg!

I'm only applying to Booth and CBS, so I don't know if mentioning CBS because it implies I'm under Early Decision. Therefore, I'm supposed to go to CBS if they admit me. That's the point.

By the way, I'm invited to interview in CBS (not done yet!).

I don't think that simply saying you're applying to Columbia will imply you're under Early Decision. In fact, if you're asked, just tell them you're applying to Columbia Regular Decision. That way there won't be any type of miscommunication.

I'm applying to CBS as well, but haven't submitted my application yet. How long after you submitted your application did you hear from them about your interview?

Yes, maybe this is a good solution. They invited me from CBS after one month.

Thanks!

@ DSG - I am also applying to CBS regular decision. I submitted my app around ED deadlines b/c I read since its rolling theres some slight advantage to submitting it earlier than later. However, I got a status update saying that they wont be looking at regular decision til Dec!