I had my interview with MBS a week ago, and it was okay, but not particularly impressive. The interviewer asked basic questions like why MBA, why specifically at MBS, why Australia? and there was also a discouraging tone regarding job prospects and settling post-graduation. It felt like they were trying to dissuade applicants rather than attract talented individuals, which you also guys have experienced. Something didn't quite sit right with me throughout the whole process.
The overall impression I got was that the school didn't come across as a top-ranked program, especially since it has been completely dropped from the Financial Times ranking. This is a major red flag.
I did double check with a few local grads just to confirm if this is acceptable for a school like MBS for any reason and how did they end up being so behind and dropped FT. I asked few alumni from the US about MBS, none of them had anything particularly positive to say about the school apart from its outstanding exchange program and collaboration with other "educational institutions". So there's a huge attention to academic but less for career and professional development (which is the whole point of an MBA I guess?). Post-MBA support seems minimal. In fact, MBS graduates were often finding themselves in roles below where they were before pursuing their MBA which is quite alarming.
Overall, I didn't get the positive and inspiring vibes that I experienced from US and European MBA programs where I applied. Again that's just my impression and how I felt after the online interview and speaking with a few local grads. I'd only consider MBS as a last option keeping in mind that the school doesn't have much weight in value outside Australia.