Interviews at universities and business schools
You are almost there, but only almost. Should a university or business school be interested in your application, you may be invited to a personal interview. Interviews are handled differently by universities, private universities and business schools. Some business schools such as Kellogg, demand interviews from almost all applicants. Many business schools organize interviews with alumni (former graduate of the business school) on site. Other schools solely run telephone interviews and some don’t do any at all. Few candidates are accepted to renowned business schools without an interview.
If the business school or university of your choice performs interviews and you have been invited to such, you must remember that one of the top 10 best business schools in the world only takes 15% to 20% of the candidates interviewed. Therefore, you must make sure that nothing goes wrong during the interview. The good impression you leave now is immensely important. The interview gives you the unique opportunity to present yourself positively and to demonstrate your strengths and leadership qualities. The success of your appearance is dependent on your personal credibility and persuasiveness. Regardless of whether the interview takes place with an admissions officer on campus or with alumni, you should prepare well for the talk, by practicing your interview responses on your career, degree, or program in German and possibly in English.
Unfortunately, some candidates do not prepare with the necessary care and thus jeopardize their admission to the business schools of their choice. As for example, a candidate who could not give a quick and precise answer in English to the question “How do you deal with conflict situations?” He tried to wriggle out of the situation too late. The business school’s rejection letter followed a few days later.
