Happy 2025! It’s January, and many round 2 applicants are waiting for business school interview invites. I am frequently asked what it means if you are offered a business school interview – and what it means if you aren’t.
- Business School Interview Invite = Good Sign
A few schools, like Kellogg, automatically interview the majority of applicants. A handful of others guarantee you an interview if you apply by a certain deadline. If you’re invited to interview at one of these programs, you can’t read anything into it.
At most business schools, however, being invited to interview IS an indication that the committee has done an initial review, and that they see potential in your application. Business schools don’t waste time interviewing candidates who they can’t envision admitting.
- Understand the Context
However, being invited to interview does NOT mean that you will automatically get in, even if the conversation goes well. You can have the world’s best interview and still get denied, if other aspects of your candidacy don’t ultimately fit into the class profile. The admissions committee is constantly monitoring their pool, including their deposited students, and they need to balance the class against a variety of institutional targets. It’s also impossible to estimate what your odds are at this point, since it’s a dynamic process. Bottom line: the interview is a good sign, but don’t get overconfident.
- Make Sure You’re Prepared
You might be surprised to hear that many people don’t do any special preparation for their business school interviews, especially if they are comfortable with professional interviews. Business school interviews, however, are different. Yes, your work experience is relevant and will be discussed, but you also need to sell your interest in the school, your potential to contribute, and your sparkling personality. This is harder than it sounds – don’t underestimate the need to prepare.
- Not Invited? Don’t Panic
Look, it’s not a GREAT sign if you aren’t invited to interview, as you won’t ultimately be admitted to business school without one. However, many programs issue invitations right up until the decision date. (Applicants who are interviewed later in the round aren’t usually disadvantaged, nor is it typically an indication of where they stand in the pool.) It’s also possible to get waitlisted without an interview, and then interviewed later, if the school decides to consider you more seriously.
MBA interviews are frequently misunderstood, both in terms of what they signify, and how best to prepare. If you are offered the opportunity, make sure that you’re ready to shine.
