Queen's (Smith) MBA: Full-Time January 2023 (Class of 2024)

I heard that about 50-70% of applicant get invited for interview. This could be higher because their application process is more 'invite only' kind - you know what i mean ?

Did you hear back the decision?

This is the same question I had as well, but it wasn't clear. I thought everyone who got invited to the video assessment got invited for an interview. But no, not everyone who applies gets an interview.

Advice on the interview:

You've already passed the initial phase on your work experience and what you have to offer, now they are looking for what makes you you. It is quite behavioural, meaning they'll ask 'what type of leader are you and can you provide an example on your style?'

I know this is overly used and very cliche but I'm not even joking, just be yourself. They'll read right through your fakeness and bullshit if that's what you're spewing out. What helped me a lot is picturing like I'm talking to my friends and I was able to relax a lot. These people aren't trying to disqualify you, they are trying to see how you fit into the program and if your personality would gel well. Good luck friend and hope to see you accepted into next years class so we can meet

Hey guys I will be giving my interview for the Smith MBA in a few days. I am most worried about a 7-month career gap on my resume. Has anyone had the same? What kind of questions were you asked around this?

My Kira topics were: 1. If you had a chance to meet the CEO of your dream company in an elevator, how will you convince him to hire you for your dream job? 2. Are you more creative or analytical, please provide an example for the same in support of your answer. 3. What is the most hardest you have worked to achieve a goal. Did you achieve it? Describe how you felt afterward.

PDK18, Thank you. I have also updated the questions at the following topic queen-s-kira-video-essay-written-questions-353849.html#p2755435

Hi, I think, like most other 'situations/challenges' in life/career, a gap in career can be addressed in 2 ways:
1. Why - why did you need to take a gap -for instance: family circumstances, physical/mental health issues, re-calibrating career choices/figuring out new career options, others... you've to have a legit 'why'
2. The gap's not a gap - since you took the time for the above reason, what did you gain from the time -- recouped health, took care of/spent time with family..etc. plus spent time on self development, reflection, and learned/figured out ... (your experience) => the gap is not actually a gap, but a valuable experience that has brought more focus, clarity, energy, and better purpose in your career and overall perspective.

I'd frame it in that way Hope it helps.

Thank you. That’s the plan for now. but thank you for responding. Have you received an admit for Smith for 2023 intake?

Anyone got any panel interview ? tips and advice?

Planning on applying for the next academic year also curious about gmat waiver ?

They do offer GMAT waiver, but they encourage you to give it anyway since it is useful after you graduate, esp if you are looking at a career in consulting.. I think they offer GMAT waivers if you have a CFA certification or if considerable part of your jobs in the past involved numbers and quants related analysis. If you think you are eligible for a waiver, I understand you have to write them an application attaching your CFA certificate and/or describing how your past jobs make you eligible for a GMAT waiver. Their admissions committee will then review it and decide. Waivers are granted on a case to case basis.

You should reach out to the admissions team at Queens, they are very helpful and you will get full information from them

My interview was quite informal: I had the admissions head and someone from the coaching center interview me.

Most of the traditional questions of why MBA, why Smith, etc. were not asked.

I had gone in for career coaching earlier in the year, so we spent almost 15 minutes talking about that >> what my learnings were, what have I done post the coaching, etc.

Very specific questions about the jobs I held in the past were asked and how I plan to apply my learnings from my past jobs to future goals.

There was a 15-minute discussion around my networking skills! how I would rate myself, what am I doing today to build my network, how is it working out, etc.

There was also a discussion around lifestyle changes - why do I think I am prepared for all the changes that are going to come in the next year, What in my past has prepared me to deal with all the changes

the last major topic of discussion was around - whats my natural preference - leading or being part of a team. this was then followed up with further questions.

We ended with discussing a failure - but this question did not seem planned at all. We said good bye and then the representative from the career coaching centre said she had one more question.

I hope these questions help anyone who gets an interview with Smith in the future

Wow a lot of deep questions

how long after did you get your answer?

And how would you go about giving advice for someone to prepare for the interview?

Yes - I got selected. Was told at the end of the interview itself that I can expect a positive reply, but to wait for a formal email response. The admissions head had a call first to formally communicate the acceptance which was then followed up with an email.

Thats amazing

Preparing for the interview - 1. Be 200% sure why you want to do the MBA. Everything in your resume to your long term goals have to tie up with a Smith MBA being the only missing link. Once you are able to tell that story clearly, things should be fine. 2. Be ready with 1-2 topics for small talk before and after the interview. not cliche topics like weather, but other stuff. I started with talking about a recent event they had at Smith and mentioned how the podcast was interesting. Ended with discussing about Reticle - one of the programs they organize with external partners. Find something which you can talk on, shows you have researched the school and program well and at the same time, is slightly informal, setting the tone for the interview. 3. Be yourself! The team genuinely wants to know who you are, so it’s not a bad idea to show them your true professional self.

Great u mentioned they asked about your job what type of question did they ask relating to your career at the time?

My designations in the past jobs are very different from each other, they thought that I had changed careers multiple times in the past . This was not the case, so there was a discussion on that. The other questions were around transferrable skills from the past to future jobs.

Great and were you awarded any scholarships!

And what was your gmat score?

670