Hi there! Some quick answers to your questions below:
sj24 wrote:
How to answer/approach the following questions,
1.) What qualities would you look for in an MBA classmate when working on a team project? How will you contribute to the school?
For the qualities you're looking for, there are 2 approaches you can take:
Students who will be useful for you (i.e. people you can learn from that will help you in your career)
Personality wise, pick some of your favorite teamwork traits, say you're looking for someone with those traits, and then say something like, "I say this because this trait is very important for me in my career. For example, I always make sure to do X, and I like working with people who have the same values
For what you bring to campus, there are various buckets, but the primary contribution will be made via extra-curricular clubs. This question was handled in the video, so I won't go too much into it here.
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2.) What other programs have you applied to? What made you apply there if you were already applying to XXXX? What is the common factor among the schools I mentioned?
I have a lot of advice in
ApplicantLab on how to answer this question, but you're on the right track -- you need to find schools that have a common factor (otherwise you will look disorganized or like you don't really know what you want). If you mention schools that are all over the place in terms of geography, duration, specializations, etc. then you risk not looking like you have a cogent plan for your studies. Remember what I said in the video: all schools want to feel like they are your first choice!
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3.) Assuming that your plan doesn't work out, what is your Plan B? Since you have a Plan B... why you think Plan A won’t work?
Remember that you're applying with a strong long-term vision, but there are many ways to reach that goal / destination. Your plan B must in some way also help you reach the same destination. That is, don't suddenly make a sharp turn to some other path -- you need to seem very dedicated to the career path you've laid out!
Hope these tips help!,
Maria