What aspects of b-school are you most looking forward to?

Question

Sorry if there is already a thread like this.

My interviewer asked me this question and caught me off guard a bit. I was expecting the usual, why an MBA? Why now? Why this school? etc. But I feel that a good response to the question "What aspects of b-school are you most looking forward to?" Is different to answers to the standard questions.

I think it is an example of a "fit" question, where the interviewer is trying to see if you will make a good addition to the class. I feel like a really good answer will go into specifics about the school you are interviewing at, and both show how you will fit into the class and how you will make a unique contribution.

I had to think on my feet a bit but I ended up saying that there were two categories of things I was really looking forward to: Education/Career aspects and Life aspects.

I don't remember very well but I'm pretty sure I said the following:

Education/Career 
- Being in an intellectually stimulating environment
- Exploring new material and developing new ways of thinking about stuff
- Being surrounded by like minded, smart, ambitious people
- Getting back into recruiting

Life 
- Getting involved with sports teams and clubs
- Living in a beautiful area 
- Making some great friends

Then there was all the stuff that I didn't/wouldn't say in an interview:
- Being closer to my gf, we've been long distance (uk - US) for two years and I'm really looking forward to being within a couple hours of each other
- Not really needing a car for a couple of years (before anyone says anything, there are public transport options to see my gf)
- Not having responsibility for anyone but myself for a couple of years
- Having some beers with my team mates and singing some rugby songs
- Beating everyone at squash
- Buying a nice mountain bike and pretending that it is essential for getting around campus

I would be really interested in what it is that everyone else is looking forward to about b-school. What would you say to an interviewer? What are you really looking forward to?

cheetarah1980 · Answer

Honestly, I'm looking forward to the occasional trip to the dining hall. I used to love the all you can eat Sunday brunch at Cornell when I was an undergrad. I'm also really looking forward to getting involved in clubs and organizing conferences and seminars. Impromptu house parties, vacation trips with classmates, and case competitions are also top of mind.

Izvos · Answer

Agree. What would I answer:

1. Clubs. General - participation in different clubs. Go deeper - I'm interested in stocks investing, startups.

2. People. To contact the smartest people to share your ideas and to know those guys better.

3. Education. It is the easiest part.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I would not try to fit to the "EXPECTED" answer.

tigerbeck · Answer

I think in an interview it is also how you say it that says a lot. If you answer this question deadpan and rattle off list of how much you know it would seem like you are really not that excited about the experience, but rather the career change or just getting an MBA. Which are ok reasons, but don't wow an interviewer.

For me I am most excited about making new friends, learning from professors who wrote the influential books in my desired field and getting to "try on" various careers or ideas with support. I would say these same things in an interview and maybe add something about a capstone project which falls under trying on careers and being a part of a school with great sports teams. ( GO BLUE!)

Becky

What aspects of b-school are you most looking forward to?

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