MBA Interview Details

E-mail Address:	Anonymous
Age:	25-29
Gender:	Female
Ethnic Background:	Hispanic
Intended Area of Study:	Real-Estate
Name of School:	Columbia
Interview Date:	4/2009
Type of Program:	MBA
Part Time Program Type:	Full Time
Were you given options as to the date of the interview?:	Yes - I had a list of alumni to contact in my area. I used LinkedIn to research the names to help pick an interviewer (that might have some things in common with me or my future interests) I emailed three names, heard back from two and scheduled with one. I advise you to keep communicating with a few alumni until you have an interview confirmed, sometimes they are too busy to get back to you or you might not be able to find a mutually agreeable time. My interviewer offered to interview me after work on Wednesday and it worked for me so I confirmed.
Could you choose the interview's location?:	No - He picked a place near his office in Rockafeller Center which also convenient for me.
How many interviews were scheduled?:	1
How many interviewed you?:	1
How long were the interviews?:	45 min
Who were the interviewers?:	Alumni
What was the most difficult question?:	Explain a time you have been faced with an ethical dilemma. How did you react? What would you have done differently? -OR- Describe a time, either professionally or academically, when you witnessed others behaving unethically--what did you do about it? I had the choice of which one I could answer. Even though I had prepared for the question (because Columbia insists that everyone answer this question) my answer wasn't exactly a dilemma (it was about ethical conduct at work) and since I didn't really have a dilemma he asked me to speak about an ethical dilemma related to current events. Given the economy there were several topics I could speak about.
What was the most interesting question?:	Who is to blame for the economic crisis? Not coming from a finance or banking background, I made sure to prepare for this question and be able to speak about all the events leading up to the current state of the economy.
Any other questions you remember?:	Tell me about yourself? (He wanted me to explain in depth my current job and responsibilities) Why MBA? Why now? Why Columbia? What other schools did you apply to? What makes Columbia different from the other schools you applied to? What value would you bring to Columbia? What activities do you plan to get involved with outside of academics? How many people do you manage? How did manage people with difficult personalities or people who are older than you? (Because I am relatively junior to be leading teams) Give me an example of a time when you displayed leadership? What's your plan B? (If I can't get a job in Real Estate development)
Did you feel prepared?:	Yes - He didn't follow a traditional interview format. On the one hand I liked how he conducted the interview as a casual conversation, but I also had to make sure I said everything I wanted to say. He spent the first 15-20 min just asking me about my current job, and didn't even ask me about 'why Columbia?'. I think he was genuinely interested in my career, and was pretty laid back about the whole interview, so I wanted to make sure I said everything I wanted to portray.
How did you prepare?:	I used Accepted.com, read through Columbia's website and did mock interviews with some friends. I also made sure to mention some classes I was interested, as well as other specific reasons as to 'why Columbia' as I was answering questions.
Did you receive any feedback at the end?:	Yes - He was very willing to give me feedback. He said that it's clear why I wanted my MBA and why I wanted to go to Columbia. He said because of my diverse background, it really helped set me apart from sea of investment banker applicants. He also said that he thinks I have a good chance, but because of the economy this year is a lot more competitive and there's no guarantee I will be accepted. He said I should hear in 2-3 weeks, maybe sooner, and to let me him know if I get in.
What was your opinion of the Faculty?:	Very impressive.
What was your opinion of the Alumni?:	Very happy with their decision to go to Columbia. Very impressive.
What was your opinion of the Students?:	Very enthusiastic about the program. Speak very highly about Columbia.
What was your opinion of the Office Personnel?:	Minimal contact. Columbia isn't the kind of school that calls you to see how the application process is coming along.
Did you receive a tour?:	No - I am very familiar with the campus and had attended a few MBA events for prospective students.
What was most impressive?:	The faculty and curriculum.
What was least impressive?:	The building is a bit dated.
Did anything change your opinion of the school? :	No - Columbia was already my first choice.
Was there something you wish you had known ahead of time?:	No
Suggestions for travel to the school?:	Take the subway.
What other advice can you offer future interviewees?:	I heard/read that the interview is not taken into consideration as highly as with other schools. For example, for NYU, if you nail the interview, you are pretty much accepted. However, with Columbia it's just another aspect they consider. Generally if you do get invited for an interview, it's a good sign. So just try to relax and be yourself. Let the interviewer talk as much as he or she wishes to speak. Try to find something you have in common with the interviewer, like traveling or career path, it will help break down the formality and anxiety of the whole situation.