interviews

Question

Hi all!

I am an MBA aspirant from India. What I wanted to know was if I would be required to come to the school campus for the interview round for US/European schools, or do they take skype interviews for international applicants? Also, since English is not my native language, what affect does the level of fluency have on my chances of nailing the interview?

Thank You!

Regards

aerien · Answer

It depends on the school, but most allow you to skype or there will be in-person interviews in a city near you. Interviews are conducted in English for US schools (and your classes will be in English as well), so English language fluency is something you should at least be striving to have, if you do not have it already.

CriticalSquare · Answer

Hi there,

Your fluency or near fluency in English is a big determinant in how the interview goes. Have you taken the TOEFL? If so, and you scored well enough, then the adcom will be looking to the interview to see if the score on paper translates into the real world. While most Indian applicants don't have English as their first language (obviously), the ones who get into schools can speak it well.

As for the logistics - most allow for Skype so don't worry too much about that!

Bhavik

mzg · Answer

Hi there,

Most B-Schools (not to say all of them) would interview you via Skype.
 
Being a non english native myself that was sort of a concern as well but It is basic that you master English. Think about it: how are you going to conduct your MBA if you have issues with the language?!? and besides, how are you going to hadle GMAT?
Apps directors are risk minimizers, meaning the won't offer a position to someone they think may: would quite the programme, would have problems adapting, would have problems academically and of course would have problems with the language (etc)!!
 
Have you taken TOEFL? You'll need it to apply!If you don't score high, don't worry... study and re take.

TAKE TOELF BEFORE GMAT !!

General tips for the interview:

- Prepare ir. Don't just sit there and respond the questions. You would probably get nervous and forget all kind of interesting truths about yoursel
- Do some research on the school and programme to identify where they focus
- Ask questions! Don't just ask... ask interesting questions that ussually are the things you want to know. 
- Know your application by heart!!
- Give interesting and meaningful answers.
- Be nice and don't be boring. Your interviewer is as person as well and of course you don't want to be remember as the "dull" applicant.

Find little (very little) list of questions you should be prepare to answer before you blink:
 
- Why do you want to do an MBA?
- Why now?
- Why X school?
- Where do you see yourself in 3 years? And in 10?
- What do you think you could bring to the X MBA?

Hope this helps!

Cheers.

interviews

Prep Toolkit

Top 5 GMAT Debrief Videos

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards