Calling all Tepper-CMU Applicants(2016 Intake) Class of 2018

Just got through the interview. I had it scheduled before I got the Duke admit, so decided to go ahead with it instead of cancelling on the day.

Standard questions, all expected, since I had interviewed with Tepper last year as well.

1. Brief run-down of Resume. What are you doing professionally?
2. Why MBA? Why Now?
3. Why Tepper?
4. How will you contribute at Tepper?
5. How will your sub-ordinates describe you?

Followed by any questions for him.

I will be withdrawing my application in the next few days, but still wanted to get through the interview.

All the best guys! Let me know if anyone has questions.

Looking at the numbers from last year, I would definitely expect at least one more round of interview invites for Round 1 applicants, if not more. There were quite a number of interview time slots available when I signed up, even going until the end of November. I would not be overly worried if you have not received an invite yet.

any new invites this week? Does anyone have any idea or information about whether they will be rolling out more invites for this round?

Really hoping they send out invites over the next week

Should I wear a tie for a skype interview? On one hand I think it is always a good idea to be completely safe, but on the other hand I feel for a skype interview, being too formal could be strange. Any thoughts/experience to share?

Always complete formal. You are applying for Business school. I strongly suggest you need to wear business formal.

Got it, thanks!

Always a proper formal wear. Suit with a tie. Gives an impression that you take the interview seriously

Congrats on the admit! First choice I assume?

I believe you can only complete Fuqua Early Decision if it is your first choice as you are pretty much required to attend and withdraw all other applications if admitted.

Just had my interview today. The interviewer was very nice and personable. Some points summarized below:

1. Walk me through your post-undergrad work experience: Quite standard, I explained how I got the job in this field, and what I did in my first position and what I got promoted to.

2. Talk about a time when you need to deal with conflict: I used my work experience and a project I was leading as example. Talked about conflicting objectives and how I gained the buy-ins from some managers and how I leveraged my boss' experience dealing with someone difficult to get him on board.

3. How do people leverage you as a resource: Skype's sound volume was too low on my tablet....had to ask her twice, dang. Basically talked about technical skills, diverse knowledge and the good network which allows me to point people toward the right person to help.

4. Why an MBA now and why Tepper: This was very conversational. I told her how 20 years ago having a BA made you seem like a scholar but not anymore nowadays. And that I feel soon enough with an undergrad, progressing in my field or company would be tough. Also explained I wanted to switch not the path/function but the industry.

5. What are your career goals after your MBA: I told her honestly I wanted to try getting into either BD in a tech company or consulting while focusing on the operations side of the business.

6. Any questions?
a. How does the career centre help its international students in getting visa and stuff?
b. With the mini semester system being slightly different from other schools', can you tell me how academic plans are carried out and what it is like?
c. What does the logistical things with the application work after this interview?

Overall it went quite smoothly. Except the question which I couldn't quite understand what she was saying and had to ask her to clarify twice, I think it was a straight forward interview. No surprises, and it covered most of the important criteria in my opinion. All the results will be released on the decision date so now it is just a waiting game. Fingers crossed.

Good luck to the other candidates.

Great debrief stevkang8.

Can you tell us who the interviewer was?

My interviewer was Nicole. Very friendly.

The video call came at 2:30 PM(ET) sharp and ended at 3:00 PM sharp
As mentioned in the posts above, the interview was very conversational.

So, she started with mentioning that it was a blind interview and she has only gone through my resume....and that she won't ask any behavioral questions(but she did )
She was very keen on talking about my international experience , so a vast majority of the discussion was about that
Here are the interview questions:

1. Tell me about yourself from undergrad school to current position
2. Post MBA Plans and Plan B
3. What was the most important lesson from the international experience
4. Any conflicts that you have had while working with cross-cultural teams
5. How did you motivate your team, if ever?
6. Why tepper?
7. Any questions you would like to ask me?

She was very apologetic about "keeping me up so late" as it was 1 AM in India :D
but it's 3 AM here and I am still awake... I guess it's the post-interview anxiety that's keeping me awake

All the best to others for their interview

Thanks for the info charu1990... was your interviewer Jackie?

Yes... have you interviewed yet?

Hey guys,

Any new invites? It's been a really long time since they last sent out invites; It's starting to worry me. Does anyone know if they will be sending more invites this month?
I know Tepper takes their time and last year the invites went well into November but just wanted some clarity on the matter;Any and all inputs appreciated!

Invites flow out really late. There is just one wave of invites up-till now.
Certainly nothing to worry about