Pipin’ Hot from the Oven: What Current MBA Students Have to

The responses from the 2011 Business School Student Survey (check out the 2010 Business School Buzz Book here) just came in, and a whopping 73% of responders boasted that their schools have "highly available admissions officers." Obviously, we wanted to see what all of the fuss was about, and since another 42% mentioned the availability of interviews with alumni and/or current students, we thought we’d take a look at the interview process generally. So, here you go: a sneak peak of what real MBA students have to say about their admissions interview.

The best part about the admissions process is that the Director of Career Services participates in every interview. This helps Career Services get to know each student individually and personalize career advice to each candidate.

The admissions staff is very laid back. They always answered any questions that I had before and while my application was in process. The interview was the best part of application process. I had a chance to express fully that this is the perfect MBA program for me. There were questions about why I want an MBA, post MBA goals. The Director of Admissions talked about the program during the interview.

The interview was the best part. You were able to get a great feeling about the school and the camaraderie that exists, as well as the helpfulness of the administrative staff.

The interview was very well organized -- dates, assistance in finding an accommodation, etc. I met with two people, the Assistant Admissions Director and the Admissions and Financial Help Director, who both impressed me a lot. They were very up-to-the-point, but still kind and welcoming.

My interview was fairly laid back compared to other admissions interviews, but I believe they were looking for a good fit in the classroom and on campus.

I was interviewed separately by a student in the program and the Dean, which I thought was unusual and different. I expected to be interviewed by a staff person or professor from the school.

I approached the interview process as I would a job interview, but left there excited about the opportunity to be a part of the school.

The admissions process was rigorous, but pleasant. Before I applied, I set up an informational interview to visit the school and determine what I needed to do to increase my chances of acceptance. The admissions staff was very incredibly welcoming and gave me open and honest feedback. When I applied, … I interviewed on campus and toured the school with a student host. I also sat in on a class. … At each stage of the process, I received a phone call or email from a student, alum, or faculty member. The outreach and level of communication was amazing!

One of the things that struck me about the school was the ease of communicating with the admissions office. They were by far the most responsive of the schools I applied to in terms of returning calls and emails and putting me in touch with students and faculty. … The tone of the entire interview visit was very warm and inviting. A very impressive admissions process!

--Written by Madison Priest