Questions included...
Why did you major in what you majored in and chose the undergrad institution you chose?
Why an MBA now?
Tells about what makes a good manager/leader?
What will you contribut to Cornell?
Where else are you applying?
And the harder questions:
Tell us about a time when you approached a difficuly process in an innovative fashion? About a time when you "innovated?"
What 3 words do you want me to take to the adcom?
How have you improved the performance of "underperformers" in the past?
Now that I think about it I was rather "grilled." I had alot of good examples for things like the underperformer and good manager and all that... But like innovated? I had a hardtime with that so I just really switched it into a time where I turned around my team when we were poorly performing. The three words I also wasn't really ready for... one of my words was "atypical" since I think I have an atypical app... but to describe yourself as "atypical" idk... could you sound crazy.
I built some good rapport around the drive out and the character of the catskills and how my undergrad school and Cornell are pretty much final choices for those deciding between the "near Ivy's." Yes, Cornell is an Ivy, but undergrad Cornell really fits into the near Ivy's.
I think you will enjoy the visit though. Cornellians are insanely friendly and nice. They are super willing to help. It is a nice community.
-Mark