Dear Prospective Applicants, Alumni and Others Interested in the UCLA Anderson MBA Interview:
As the Admissions Committee continues to release interview invitations for Round 2 applicants, we are receiving many inquiries about how to prepare of the interview. The following information answers the bulk of questions we typically receive. We trust you find this helpful
PURPOSE
Interviews provide an source of information about you that is included in the final review of your application. Interviews are not the deciding factor in your admissions decision, and are typically fairly consistent with information provided in the application.
FORMAT
Interviews are blind in order to reduce bias. Your interviewer will not have seen your application in advance of meeting you and will, therefore, have no preconceived ideas or expectations of you, your talents, abilities, etc.
Interviews may include behavioral questions. Questions may center on specific examples or detailed descriptions of events, projects or experience that demonstrate how situations you’ve faced in the past have been handled and what you learned from them. Behavioral interviewing holds that past performance predicts future behavior.
Interviews are conducted on-campus and off-campus. Instructions on how to set up an interview are provided at the time of invitation.
No advance preparation is required. Questions are straightforward and cover topics already addressed in your application, such as why you want an MBA, why you feel you are a good fit for UCLA Anderson (vice versa), what your short- and long-term career goals are, how you spend your spare time, about what you are passionate, etc. You will not be asked to analyze a case study or demonstrate your mastery of particular subjects.
GENERAL TIPS
All interviews carry equal weight. While interviewing on-campus allows you see the school up close, there is no advantage to interviewing on-campus or with an admissions staff member when it comes to your admissions decision. Arrange the type of interview that is most convenient for you.
Interviews are dialogues or exchange between two people. Steer away from pre-rehearsed speech and over reliance on your résumé. We are interested in getting to know you as an individual, so follow the queues of the interviewer.
The exact length of the interview does not indicate how well the interview went. While we schedule 30 minute interviews, the actual length may vary a bit. Deviations from the schedule are random and unrelated to the candidate.
Do not expect the interviewer to give you feedback – literally or figuratively. Be careful to avoid any interpretation of verbal or non-verbal communication in the interview or afterward, as both may mislead you.
Interviews are not a popularity contest. The interviewer is assessing your fit and readiness for the UCLA MBA program – not whether or not the two of you would make good or best friends.
Relax, be genuine, and enjoy the opportunity for us to get to know one another.
Read the full article: Tips on the UCLA Anderson MBA Interview