MBA Interview Details

E-mail Address:	Anonymous
Age:	35-39
Gender:	Male
Ethnic Background:	White
Intended Area of Study:	Entrepreneurship
Name of School:	USC Marshall
Interview Date:	5/2007
Type of Program:	MBA
Part Time Program Type:
Were you given options as to the date of the interview?:	Yes - Given a choice of three dates, two weeks out, which was no problem as I live in Los Angeles, I assume they give more notice to out-of-state applicants.
Could you choose the interview's location?:	No - On Campus interview was offered at the Admissions office.
How many interviews were scheduled?:	1
How many interviewed you?:	1 - The Assistant Director of Admissions conducted the interview, although I gather that most all of the staff are Assistant Directors.
How long were the interviews?:	Between 30 and 45 minutes
Who were the interviewers?:	Administrative or admissions staff
What was the most difficult question?:	Nothing that wasn't expected. As an older applicant for the full-time program a good bit of the questioning revolved around how I would feel interacting with younger students. The whole interview had a conversational tone to it. There was a good bit of give and take.
What was the most interesting question?:	Again, as an older candidate for admission, she wanted to know if I would be comfortable being part of a team that was led (potentially) by someone who was less experienced and significantly younger than myself.
Any other questions you remember?:	Describe your management style. What are your short term and long term goals? What do you do in your free time? Tell me anything else I need to know about you. Why an MBA and why now? Why USC? Why the Full-time program over the Part-time or Executive?
Did you feel prepared?:	Yes - Got reacquainted with my resume and application. Talked to some recent graduates. Reviewed this site and took part in a mock interview, which was good practice.
How did you prepare?:	See above. The mock interview is very helpful as is the feedback provided. If you feel pretty confident that you know what to say, you just want to know the questions using the other questionaires here can be helpful. For someone who has not had to do many interviews in a while the mock was good practice and had my confidence up going in.
Did you receive any feedback at the end?:	Yes - Nothing too revealing. She allowed for a few questions and answered them. Told me when I could expect to hear something from the school and provided me with her contact information if I had any other questions come up.
What was your opinion of the Faculty?:	Did not speak to any faculty directly or observe any classes in conjunction with applying to Marshal, but have met some of them in the past at various events. Alums I spoke with gave stellar reviews.
What was your opinion of the Alumni?:	My best resource for information on the program. I know 2 dozen friends and colleagues from USC and half of them have MBAs from Marshall. I felt like I knew the program as well as anyone from my conversations with them.
What was your opinion of the Students?:	Only spoke to two current students. Both were bright and intelligent. Definitely made me feel old -- but also motivated me. The competition while not cut throat is there.
What was your opinion of the Office Personnel?:	They were very courteous and helpful in setting up the interview, providing directions and welcoming me to campus. Since I was familiar with the campus already, I didn't take them up on this, but a woman who was also interviewing and was from out-of-town asked for help locating certain classes and buildings and the admin staff jumped to get her taken care of and provided recommendations of where to get a bite to eat.
Did you receive a tour?:	No - See above.
What was most impressive?:	I was already familiar with the campus, but it never ceases to amaze me what a great innercity campus USC is. Especially in light of the fact certain parts of the surrounding neighborhood can be sketchy.
What was least impressive?:	Parking is a drag -- $7. They really should provide it for free for prospective students there to interview.
Did anything change your opinion of the school? :	No - This is my top choice for school and I walked away from interview only wanting to get accepted that much more.
Was there something you wish you had known ahead of time?:	No
Suggestions for travel to the school?:	As others have said, give yourself time to get there. Traffic on the 110 and 10 ia unpredictable and rarely ever allows for smooth sailing. Plan on arriving early and grabbing a coffee in the cafe in Popovich Hall. If you are coming in from out-of-town consider staying at the Radisson across the street from campus on Figueroa -- you'll have a two minute walk (but less entertainment options if you are staying for a few days).
What other advice can you offer future interviewees?:	I don't know if this matters, given that business casual is so accepted in the workplace these days, but I certainly noticed so I will pass it on. Several candidates arrived at the same time for interviews and another group was finishing up interviews. Both groups came to together in the lobby for a split second. Everyone professional dressed, suits and ties, except for one guy who was wearing slacks and dress shirt -- no sportcoat, no tie. In our little group he stuck out. Again, I don't know if meant anything to the admissions staff or not, but it seemed everyone came dressed professionally.