4test1 wrote:
Looking at the amazing profiles of the unlucky ones who got dinged, it just seems like that's all it really says - that they are merely unlucky. It also looks like LBS gives lesser importance to the GMAT and weighs international exposure (perhaps they are building a certain mix) and WE much more.
I personally feel extremely lucky to have gotten to the interview stage and believe this will be the most difficult part of the entire process for me. I know bsd_lover and Dr. Manhattan have taken pains to list out interview feedback here but it would be great to have their inputs on how to best use the next few weeks to prepare well. LBS is my first and only real option - and the process is far from over.
4test1 & Pranaysrinivasan,
Interview Summary:My alumnus interviewer (we shall call him Alfred) had a pre- and post-MBA background similar to mine in general industry; albeit, markedly different in sub-industry. Alfred’s manner was brisk, friend, friendly, candid, and keen.
The interview was conducted at the Alfred’s offices at a time the both of us had agreed to. We’d had some back-and-forth about schedules, and ultimately locked in a slot.
If I recall correctly, my interview lasted about 90 minutes, and it proceeded as follows:
• Alfred asked me to walk him through my background (not CV) which I did. I’ve got a rather varied, international, cultural, educational, and career background, and he was sufficiently interested to ask questions here and there. This probably took 7-10 minutes, and then there was a perceptible change in his demeanour; he shifted in his seat, uncrossed his legs (he’d had one ankle casually draped over one knee) and planted both feet firmly on the ground, fixing me with an eagle-stare signaling that we were about to wade into more vigorous conversation.
• The next half hour or so was spent with Alfred probing me very thoroughly as to the so-called three “Why’s:” “Why an MBA?,” “Why London Business School?,” and “Why now?” He was less interested in “Why now?” and
far more focused on the former two. I believe between these two points, he placed ~ 40% emphasis on “Why London Business School?” with the rest on “Why an MBA?” Alfred made me explain my “Career Plan” to him
in-depth, and made me provide anecdotal evidence that backed up my rationale (for both my career plan and the three “Why’s” which led to a thorough conversation into all the research I’d done whilst completing my applications to London Business School. While he did not prompt me per se, I mentioned Information Sessions I’d attended, current students and alumni I’d spoken with, post-MBA success of previous classes and how I’d been motivated by the programme’s employment reports, etcetera, etcetera. He did not stop probing and prodding till he had satisfied himself. After this, he relaxed his eagle-stance, informed me that I’d told him precisely what he was looking for on the former 2 “Why’s”, and then resumed swiveling in his seat while we made small talk for a few minutes. The small talk was enhanced by my familiarity with the programme based on research I had conducted during the application process, and he remarked more than once that he was impressed.
• He then told me his story, and how he had carefully evaluated London Business School before deciding it was right for him After this, we switched to my application. He remarked that my essays were interesting, compelling, well-written, and showed true fit with the London Business School Community.
• About 50 minutes into the interview, Alfred produced a list of 5 topics and without giving me a choice (some interviewers, I have heard, offer a choice of topics to the candidate), asked me to prepare a 5-minute oral presentation for the topic and left the room. He told me I had five minutes to prepare, but I believe he gave me ten. He returned to the room, and asked me to start. It did not go very well. It did not go badly; however, I’m a good and confident speaker, and found the concept of a forensic monologue to an audience of one, in a windowless conference room, to be uninspiring and unnatural. I stopped speaking in just under three minutes. This was, in my opinion, the low point of my interview.
• We then kicked around a bit, and he asked me to stay in touch regardless of what my final decision might be with respect to deciding what programme to attend should I obtain admissions offers from all, or some, of my target schools. Funny, now that I say this, I do not recall him asking me where else I was applying; though, I’m left with a hazy impression that he did! He said I’d be great for the programme, that he would be recommending me for an offer. He suggested I keep him apprised of my progress thereafter.
• We made small talk as he concluded the interview, and led me out to the lifts. We swapped business cards at that time.
• For personal reasons, I do believe my interview experience deviated slightly, but not significantly, from the norm with other alumni.
10 Feb 2010, 00:08
The higher the better!
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