The Interview
Who is invited to interview? Chicago Booth interviews are by invitation only. Being invited to interview is a good sign, as Booth usually interviews slightly less than half of its applicants. It has a lot of seats to fill and often will interview a wider assortment of candidates than some other schools might. Interviews can be conducted on campus (usually by a second-year student) or by an alumnus in the applicant’s hometown (when available).
What should I expect? Of course, being asked to interview is only the first step: Of those interviewed, fewer than half are admitted. If you are one of the lucky ones to be offered an interview spot there are a few things to keep in mind as you prepare. First, interviews at Booth can vary significantly. For the most part, interview content is up to the interviewer. Usually the questions will be fairly typical (“Walk me through your resume.”; “Why an MBA?”; “Why Booth?”), but you can also expect a few more challenging questions (“Discuss your leadership style.”; “What is your greatest weakness?”; “What role do you take in a team?”). And, from time to time, you may get something outside the box (“What stocks would you invest in and why?”; “What is your thought on our current monetary policy?”; “How would you spend a million dollars if you couldn’t spend it on yourself?”). This means that your Booth interview may be one of the most challenging of your MBA interviews.
Who will conduct my interview? The variance in questions is in part due to the fact that many interviews are conducted by second-year students or local alumni rather than exclusively by admissions staff members. (Staff members tend to be more consistent, but all interviews hold the same weight.) Student interviewers may think it is fun to see how you react when thrown a curveball. There is no right answer to this type of interview question; interviewers usually just like to see if you can maintain your composure and back up your answer with data or some concrete examples.
What will my interviewer know about my background? It is also important to note that interviews at Booth are blind. This means that your interviewer will not be familiar with your GMAT scores or other elements of your application. The interviewer will have your resume. Even though the interviewer has not read your essay, try not to use the same stories over and over again. You want the admissions committee (Adcom) to have as many data points as possible so rehashing what you wrote in your essay is not additive. Some points will be reiterated (why you want an MBA; why you like Chicago Booth), but to the extent possible avoid repetition.
What questions should I ask? Most interviewers will ask if there is anything you’d like the Adcom to know that you were not able to put in your application. This is a perfect time to stress your sincere desire to attend Booth. Remember to prepare a few other questions for your interviewer. Insightful questions not only give you a better idea of the school but also enable you to finish the interview on a strong note. You could ask about popular professors by saying something like, “I’ve heard that no one should go through their Booth experience without taking courses from Professors Kaplan and Fama (or others that you’re interested in). Would you agree? What others would you recommend?” Even if you feel your questions about the school have been answered, you can always ask the interviewer what she wishes she had known before coming to Booth, or what she has enjoyed most about the Booth experience.
