Meaning behind “Why MBA” and “Why MBA now”?

Question

Every school asks this in their interview. They ask why you’re interested in their school to gauge your interest with yield in mind.

But what are they trying to gauge when they ask “Why MBA” or “Why MBA now”?

You’d think, on the surface of it, that they are trying to see if your goals align with the school etc., but I can’t imagine a school would reject a brilliant candidate because of their “goals” which can of course be in constant fluctuation.

So what are they gauging? Perhaps that you’re in the right frame of mind / position in your life to attend?

Also, how important is this question for someone’s candidacy, would failing this question in the interview override your entire application?

Posted from my mobile device

bb · Answer

Here are a few of the famous answers for Why MBA. Basically, yes, they want you to outline a bridge why you want it and why at this point in your career. The idea is that you want to say that it will help you cross from where you are to where you want to be and you want to make the AdCom feel guilty for not admitting you, like they are committing a crime against humanity by depriving you from crossing that bridge

(not saying it is easy to do but that's the target)

https://gmatclub.com/forum/why-mba-why- ... fl=similar
https://gmatclub.com/forum/why-mba-1471 ... fl=similar
https://gmatclub.com/forum/why-mba-8485 ... fl=similar

(not saying it is easy to do but that's the target) https://gmatclub.com/forum/why-mba-why- ... fl=similar https://gmatclub.com/forum/why-mba-1471 ... fl=similar https://gmatclub.com/forum/why-mba-8485 ... fl=similar

GMAT555 · Answer

Thanks. Is it a likely ding if you fail this question? I recently had an alumni interview and she didn’t seem impressed with my answer. Everything else in my candidacy is top-notch which is why I got the interview.

Posted from my mobile device

Admissionado · Answer

GMAT555 :

You are not going to get dinged for giving what you considered to be a sub-par answer to an interview question. The automatic dings are for things like significantly sub-par GMAT/GRE, sub-par GPA, or some sort of major behavioral issue. Everything else is generally somewhat subjective.

Also, how do you even know you didn't give a great answer? Did your interviewer say it was not a good response? I would be wary about drawing too many conclusions about the responses you get from an alumni interviewer when it comes to one of several questions in your interview. It also depends on how much emphasis that interviewer puts into that question in their write-up. My best advice: don't dwell. That cake is baked so focus on the results and what you can do to improve your profile (if relevant) while you await results or are trying to move off of a waitlist.

MBAbot · Answer

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Meaning behind “Why MBA” and “Why MBA now”?

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