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VantagePointMBA
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Vantage Point Admissions Consultant
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Vantage Point MBA News 18 Sep 2025, 15:00
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FROM Vantage Point MBA Admissions Blog: MBA Student Ambassadors: The Secret Resource for MBA Networking
This article was originally published on June 22, 2023. It was last updated on September 16, 2025.

If you’re targeting Round 2 deadlines, now is the perfect time to focus on school research. Laying this groundwork early will make your essays, recommendations, and interviews much stronger.

While online research and admissions events are helpful, nothing compares to speaking directly with someone who has lived the MBA experience. Student ambassadors, who are current students or sometimes alumni, can offer candid perspectives, share details about program culture and resources, and connect you with peers who align with your interests.

What is an MBA Student Ambassador?

MBA student ambassadors are current students (and sometimes alumni) chosen to represent the school to prospective applicants. They showcase the school’s culture, values, and academic offerings while providing a personal connection to the institution.

Ambassadors are typically selected for their academic achievements, leadership skills, and enthusiasm for the program. Schools also aim for diversity among ambassadors to reflect a broad range of perspectives. Because they have extensive knowledge of the program, ambassadors serve as a bridge between the school and prospective students.

Is Networking with MBA Student Ambassadors a ‘Must Do’?

The simple answer is no, it’s not absolutely necessary to speak with student ambassadors. However, if you don’t already know someone at your target schools, ambassadors can be extremely helpful.

They offer unique insights that can level the playing field, particularly for applicants from non-traditional or underrepresented backgrounds. By sharing their experiences, ambassadors give you a clearer understanding of the program’s culture and resources, helping you make a more informed decision.

Why You Should Consider Connecting with MBA Student Ambassadors

Authentic Perspectives

Student ambassadors usually provide candid insights about their experiences, which can give you a real sense of what to expect. Since they are selected by the school, you are less likely to hear strongly negative perspectives. Even so, most are genuine and open about what day-to-day life in the program is really like.

Insider Knowledge

Ambassadors have detailed knowledge of the curriculum and extracurricular activities. If you are interested in a niche area, they can often answer your questions directly or connect you with a peer who can.

Cultural Fit

Each business school has its own distinct culture. By connecting with student ambassadors, you can better understand the school’s environment and evaluate whether its values, community, and student life align with your goals. Ambassadors can also answer specific questions about social life, competitiveness, and housing options, giving you a more complete picture.

Career Resources

Student ambassadors can share valuable insights into the school’s career services and recruiting opportunities. They can speak to internships, networking events, and the support students receive during the job search. This helps you evaluate how effectively the program can support your professional development.

Demonstrating Interest

For Round 2 applicants, this step is especially important. Many schools include application questions about how you have engaged with their program. Reaching out to student ambassadors not only gives you useful information but also shows genuine interest. The insights you gather can strengthen your essays and interviews by helping you explain why the school is a great fit for your goals.

Need help planning your School Research? click here to connect

Student Ambassador Resources at Top MBA Programs

Below is a list of student ambassador resources of some of the top US business schools as well as London Business School and INSEAD:

1) Chicago Booth

The admissions team at Chicago Booth has curated a diverse group of students who are readily available for you to connect with. They even offer a convenient directory where you can find a match based on career interests and other criteria.

[*]Connect with a Student at Booth[/*]
[/list]

2) Wharton

Wharton has a dedicated team of Admissions Fellows consisting of 55 second-year students who come from diverse backgrounds, pursue various careers, and have a wide range of interests. Like Booth, Wharton provides bios and a searchable database to help you find the best fit for your needs.

[*]Connect with a Wharton Admissions Fellow[/*]
[/list]

3) Northwestern Kellogg

While Kellogg does not provide the opportunity to directly connect with student ambassadors, it does offer a wide variety of in-person and virtual admissions events, some of which involve Q&A with alums or current students.

[*]Kellogg Admissions Events[/*]
[/list]

4) Stanford GSB

Similar to Kellogg, the GSB offers opportunities to connect with MBA student ambassadors within the context of its virtual and in-person admissions events.

[*]Stanford GSB Admissions Events[/*]
[/list]

5) Harvard (HBS)

HBS invites local alums to join in-person admissions events in a variety of cities and also occasionally hosts Q&A sessions with current students.

[*]Find the next Q&A session with current HBS students[/*]
[/list]

6) MIT Sloan

‘Sloan on the Road’ events are designed to offer an immersive experience that provides valuable insights into the program and are joined by MIT Sloan alumni, who make themselves available for 1:1 networking sessions.

[*]Find an MIT Sloan on the Road event near you[/*]
[/list]

7) Yale SOM

Yale School of Management (SOM) takes pride in its dedicated MBA Student Ambassadors who are current students that play a crucial role as contacts for various clubs, interest groups, and programs within the school. Connecting with these ambassadors will give you a deeper understanding of the Yale SOM experience.

[*]Connect with Yale SOM Student Ambassadors[/*]
[/list]

8) Columbia Business School

Columbia’s MBA Student Ambassadors, also known as members of the Hermes Society, represent diverse clubs, careers, and interests, with the mission to offer a student perspective on the vibrant life at CBS, both on and off campus. CBS also offers a convenient searchable directory.

[*]Contact a Student Ambassador at Columbia Business School[/*]
[/list]

9) University of California-Berkeley (Haas)

Haas Student Ambassadors are passionate current students who provide prospective students with firsthand information and help them dive into the distinctive culture and collaborative community that defines Haas.

[*]Connect with a Student Ambassador at Haas[/*]
[/list]

10) University of Michigan (Ross)

Ross takes pride in its extensive network of student ambassadors, which it claims surpasses that of any other MBA program. With such a robust group of ambassadors, it’s easy to find individuals who share your interests, backgrounds, and goals.

[*]Connect with a Full-Time MBA Student at The University of Michigan (Ross)[/*]
[/list]

11) London Business School

To provide new students with a glimpse into the LBS ecosystem, the school has thoughtfully compiled a collection of profiles featuring students, alumni, and ambassadors. To connect with an ambassador, simply review the profile and contact them through their email.

[*]Connect with an MBA Student Ambassador at London Business School[/*]
[/list]

12) INSEAD

INSEAD offers the opportunity to connect with an INSEAD Ambassador by request through admissions. You can also read MBA student blogs to learn more about the INSEAD experience.

[*]Contact INSEAD to Connect with a Student Ambassador[/*]
[/list]

In Summary...

MBA student ambassadors are valuable resources when exploring different business school programs. Their insights can provide you with a deeper understanding of the curriculum, culture, campus life, career resources, and more. By leveraging their experiences, you can make a more informed decision about which MBA program aligns best with your goals. We think they are a secret resource for MBA networking!

If you are applying in Round 2, now is the right time to start these conversations. They can give you the kind of insider perspective that strengthens your school research and helps you present a more authentic story throughout your application.

If you need a more personalized action plan and hands-on coaching to strengthen your MBA candidacy, click here to schedule a free 30-minute consultation!

Request An Initial Consultation

The post MBA Student Ambassadors: The Secret Resource for MBA Networking appeared first on Vantage Point MBA.
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Vantage Point MBA News 25 Sep 2025, 15:00
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FROM Vantage Point MBA Admissions Blog: How to Prepare for MBA Interviews – Expecting the Unexpected
This article was originally published on February 8, 2024. It was last updated on September 25, 2025.

Preparing for MBA interviews may seem straightforward at first. You might think that outlining and practicing your answers to standard MBA interview questions is enough to succeed, right? Hopefully so, but not always.

Why Preparing for MBA Interviews Is Not as Straightforward as it Seems

Admissions committee interviews can vary widely. While you’ll see some consistency across candidates, there are no guarantees, especially at schools like HBS where interviews are highly personalized. This is even more true when your interviewer is an alum or current student. They often have the freedom to ask whatever they like, as long as they evaluate you using the school’s criteria afterward.

So, how do you prepare for MBA interviews, including questions you never expected? You can’t prepare for everything, which is why interviews are a great way to assess your candidacy. Strong leaders excel because they can think on their feet and respond to unexpected challenges. Handling an unforeseen interview question well is one way to demonstrate your leadership potential. Mastering your MBA interview requires thoughtful preparation, and these tips will help you get ready.

However, keep in mind that your interviewer isn’t looking to trip you up-most of the time, they simply want to understand how you think and respond. They may phrase a question differently or ask for an example you’ve already used in a previous answer.

While you can’t prepare for every question, it’s essential to do what you can. Focus on the most common MBA interview questions like your resume walkthrough and post-MBA goals. However, it’s also useful to review a list of less common questions and think about how you’d answer them. Even 30 seconds of thought can help you respond better than improvising on the spot. Here are three common MBA interview pitfalls to avoid.

Need expert support to avoid these pitfalls and prepare more effectively? Request an initial consultation.

Request an initial consultation

Unexpected MBA Interview Questions to Practice

Below is a list of surprising MBA interview questions compiled from past clients and sources like ClearAdmit to help as you prepare for your MBA interviews:

[*]What are some challenges you would face in your MBA?[/*]

[*]Who are your firm’s biggest competitors and what is its competitive advantage?[/*]

[*]What do you not like about your current company?[/*]

[*]What’s your plan B if you can’t get the role you want after graduation?[/*]

[*]What if, in five years, your target industry doesn’t end up as you expect it will. What will you do, and will that change your plans?[/*]

[*]What are the three attributes a good team needs?[/*]

[*]Tell me about a time you showed resilience.[/*]

[*]What does equality and diversity in the workplace mean to you? (Note: we’re finding that nearly every program now includes a diversity-related question in its interview. Be prepared!)[/*]

[*]Share your proudest accomplishment, either personal or professional.[/*]

[*]What are the top three factors that led to your success?[/*]

[*]What would you like your legacy to be at [X school]?[/*]

[*]What is trust and how important is trust in our society?[/*]

[*]Please tell me about three failures you have had.[/*]

[*]If you could change one thing about your current company, what would it be?[/*]

[*]Do you read for fun? What was the last book you read?[/*]

[*]What was the most interesting conversation you’ve had recently?[/*]

[*]What other schools did you apply to and why?[/*]
[/list]

Another Type of MBA Interview Question to Consider

In addition to general and unexpected questions, it’s critical to prepare for school-specific ones. Many programs tie interview questions to their values or leadership principles. For example:

[*]Fuqua may ask about “DQ” (decency quotient).[/*]

[*]Haas could ask how you’ve demonstrated its four leadership principles.[/*]

[*]Tuck may assess whether you embody its four key characteristics.[/*]
[/list]

If you’ve done your research, you should expect, and be ready for, questions like these. For more guidance, explore our detailed advice on school-specific interview prep.

Final Thoughts and What to Do if You Get Stumped

Don’t stress if you get stumped. You’re human, and your interviewer knows that. It’s perfectly okay to pause and gather your thoughts, even if it leads to a short silence.

If you give a jumbled answer, you can clarify in your thank-you note with a more cohesive version of your response (briefly, of course).

Looking for support as you prepare for MBA interviews or any other part of the MBA admissions process? We’re here to help.

Request An Initial Consultation

The post How to Prepare for MBA Interviews – Expecting the Unexpected appeared first on Vantage Point MBA.
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