How EDHEC MBA Interview Works
Applications that are complete in all aspects and qualify in terms of the minimum academic and other criteria specified above are evaluated for being progressed to the next stage in the admission process. Shortlisted candidates will be called for the EDHEC MBA Interview process.
The EDHEC MBA Interview panel will evaluate each candidate’s performance in terms of quality of work experience, diversity, leadership qualities, social sensitivity, and multifacetedness.
As a general approach to selecting a candidate for the programme, a multi-factor model is used. These factors include academic track record, GMAT/GRE scores, quality of work experience, performance in the interview, and writing ability test. A composite total score will be calculated for each applicant using the multi-factor model. A merit list is prepared based on the composite total score. The offer of admission will be made to a certain percentage of applicants on the merit list. The number of offers made will depend on the availability of seats. The number of offers will be further subject to the candidate meeting a minimum cutoff in terms of the composite score and/or for any other factor score that the admissions committee may decide on
Who will interview you, and how long will the interview last?
Like most European B-schools, the EDHEC MBA interview is taken by a Panel. The Panel usually consists of 2-3 professors. The interview typically lasts for 25-30 minutes or may extend to 35-40 minutes in some instances.
Will the interviewer have read my application?
It is always safer to assume that the Panel members have access to your complete application. In most instances, they would have read it completely. Unless the school specifically says that it will be an blind interview. Mostly North American Business schools in US and Canada have an Blind interviews, European and SE Asian schools conduct interviews via Alums or panels which have full access to your entire application.
How can you prepare for your interview?
Like most MBA Interviews, your interview will mainly revolve around a pretty similar set of MBA interview questions. You can never predict what questions will be asked, but with enough research, you can predict what are the most commonly asked questions in these interviews. We have created a short FAQ list below to get you a jump start, and we also have a free guide linked below to help you prepare for these commonly asked interview questions.
EDHEC MBA Frequently Asked Interview Questions
Professional experience-related questions
- Tell me something about yourself, or Walk me through your resume.
- What are your short-term and long-term goals?
- Why MBA? or Why now? or Why an MBA at this stage of your career?
- Why EDHEC?
- What is your Plan B? in case your primary goal does not happen?
Personal qualities-related questions
- What are your key strengths? Can you give some examples, please?
- What are your key weaknesses? Can you give some examples, please?
- How can you add value to the Class? or Why should we take you?
- Any reasons why we should not select you?
- Interests and Hobbies related questions – why do you do it, what have you achieved/learned?
Frequently Asked Situational & Behavioral Questions
- What is your leadership style? Can you give an example of a project you led?
- What would you describe are your greatest achievement to date?
- Give me an example of a time you failed.
- Give me an example of a time you faced a conflict. How did you handle that?
- Give me an example of a time when you did not meet a client’s expectations. What happened, and how did you attempt to rectify the situation?
The last one – Do you have any questions for us?
- Can you please tell me how international exchange students and schools are assigned?
- How club leadership is selected?
- Any other questions you may have in regards to the program.
EDHEC MBA Interview Experience – 1
“I have an interview on February 20th.”
1. Why MBA/EDHEC?
2. Examples of leadership style
3. A time when I disagreed with someone and how I handled it
4. What resources would I use to help me make a better decision for my MBA specialisation (in my application, I indicated that I was still deciding, so I included two specialisations). You must select one at the end of the first semester.)
5. A work accomplishment that I am proud of.
6. How I’ve contributed to my community
7. Three words and examples that my friends would use to define me.
8. Do you have any questions for them?
It was probably about 15 to 20 minutes. I asked a few questions at the end to increase the total time to around 25 minutes. The questions were the same as mentioned above.
Step-by-Step Guide
To Preparing for your B-school Interview
Free download
EDHEC MBA Interview Experience – 2
“Interviewed by the Associate Admissions Director. The interview lasted approximately 30 minutes:
I included my motivation for pursuing an MBA and two interesting facts about myself in my response. She delved deeply into this topic after I described my frequent relocations.
Why did you relocate frequently?
Where have you had the most memorable experiences among the countries you’ve migrated to?
Do you use your degree in computer science in the workplace? How?
Was there ever a time when you were required to labor in a team? What was the result?
Have you ever been incapable of completing a mission successfully? What did you do, or how did you handle the situation?
EDHEC encourages diversity and inclusion; what do these terms mean to you, and have you ever been involved in a situation involving diversity and inclusion?
What are your short- and long-term objectives? And Why earn an MBA from Darden?
Is there anything else that you would like the admissions committee to be aware of?
Do you have any queries for me?
I was informed that there were no next actions on my end; I should receive an email or decision by March 31.”
EDHEC MBA Interview Experience – 3
“The interview began with the interviewer introducing herself and providing background information, followed by her asking me questions.
The interview order:
Present yourself
Why an MBA? Why right now?
Short and long-term objectives
Why do you owe money?
What would you offer to EDHEC’s community, and what do you hope to receive from the community?
Discuss a time when you lead a team.
What is your greatest weakness, and what have you done to surmount it?
What do you do during your spare time?
Any queries for me?
Research the types of interviews EDHEC conducts. I believe I could have led the conversation a bit more, as I believe this is the structure of the EDHEC interview.
Be present and listen to your interviewer without planning the future conversation, as this enables you to have a conversation without being rigid if you are nervous.
EDHEC MBA Interview Experience – 4
“I would say that the interview lasted around half an hour. Her expression was friendly and talkative, and she had a really warm countenance.
1. Take me over your application materials, and tell me about yourself in general terms.
2. In what ways do you plan to contribute and get involved at EDHEC?
3. Can you tell me about a moment when you had to break some bad news to someone else, no matter how painful it was?
4. What are your plans for after you finish your MBA, and how do they fit into your long-term professional strategy?
5. Can you think of a moment when someone gave you some useful criticism?
6. Can you tell me about a time when you put yourself in danger? What new knowledge did you obtain?
7. Can you give an example of a moment when you had to go above the call of duty to complete a project? What prompted you to go beyond what was expected of you?
EDHEC MBA Interview Experience – 5
Interviewed a member of the Adcom. The following queries were put forth:
1. Please introduce yourself.
2. Short-term objective
3. A 10-year outlook
4. What aspects of your profession would you change?
5. How would you characterise your leadership style?
6. If you were the CEO of your company, what adjustments would you make to the business?
7. Describe a period when you had a big impact on one individual or your business.
8. Describe a situation when you failed.
9. How would you help EDHEC after earning your MBA?
10. Describe an instance when you ventured outside of your comfort zone.
11. What two life achievements stand out to you?
12. Your queries to me
Overall, the interview was conversational, and the interviewer was patient and really interested in hearing all the anecdotes and examples I had to offer. Nearly all questions included follow-ups, so it’s wise to be ready in advance.
EDHEC MBA Interview Experience – 6
“I had my AdCom interview. She was eager to hear about my experience, and the interview was highly participatory. 50 minutes were spent on the interview. She didn’t appear to be blind, and it seemed as though she knew about my application.
1. Take me over your resume in around 2 minutes (definitely took more than 2 minutes) – she expressed interest in following up on several of the points I raised.
2. Why EDHEC.
3. My own personal objective and how I attained it
4. Principles important to me
5. Valuable life lessons
6. Additional schools I applied to
7. A moment when I felt secure
8. What are your planned internships?
9. A personal objective I had for myself but didn’t achieve it
10. Questions for her
Stay present, pay close attention to what the other person is saying, and answer honestly while being consistent with your story.
EDHEC MBA Interview Experience – 7
The interview with me has now come to a close. It was with an advertising executive who was quite pleasant and fascinating. I enjoyed her inquiries. Concerns were raised regarding the following:
– Please tell me about your background.
Why choose EDHEC?
– A focus on both the short term and the long term.
– what do you think you could bring to the table for EDHEC?
– Constructive criticism I received from my supervisor – An instance in which I was presented with an ethical conundrum and how I resolved it – Outside of work, what do I do?
– what’s my primary source of inspiration?
How could getting an MBA to help me accomplish that?
What aspects of my past do I want EDHEC to save in their memories? Facts that are essential queries for her. I asked 3 questions. She was really pleasant and offered me her best wishes for the outcome of the situation. Keep your fingers crossed.”
EDHEC MBA Interview Experience – 8
“I met with a representative from the Career Services department for an interview. The MBA interview was quite conversational and was conducted in the usual manner. Lasted approximately half an hour.
Why get an MBA right now? Why EDHEC?
What are some of your long-term and short-term objectives?
How would you describe your approach to leadership?
How can you operate effectively with a diverse team?
What are some of the things that your coworkers or teammates admire most about you?
What else do you want to discuss with me in regard to the advertising committee?
What queries do you have for me?
The interview lasted exactly thirty minutes, and they didn’t let me finish saying goodbye because they had such a full agenda.
EDHEC MBA Interview Experience – 9
“The admissions team’s Leslie Hartman interviewed me. She stated that she only had my resume with her band and that it was a blind interview. I was asked the following questions:
1. Please walk me over your resume.
2. What does leadership imply to you?
3. What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
4. Deficiency
5. Do you have any leadership experience? Do you currently head a team?
6. why EDHEC?
7. What brings out the best in you (something along these lines – now I think she was asking about my strengths, so maybe I botched this up a little)
8. If I had questions for her.
She was quite attentive. Overall, the interview was laid-back, and the interviewer was kind and courteous.”
EDHEC MBA Interview Experience – 10
“I have an interview on February 20th.”
1. Why MBA/EDHEC?
2. Examples of leadership style
3. A time when I disagreed with someone and how I handled it
4. What resources would I use to help me make a better decision for my MBA specialisation (in my application, I indicated that I was still deciding, so I included two specialisations). You must select one at the end of the first semester.)
5. A work accomplishment that I am proud of.
6. How I’ve contributed to my community
7. Three words and examples that my friends would use to define me.
8. Do you have any questions for them?
It was probably about 15 to 20 minutes. I asked a few questions at the end to increase the total time to around 25 minutes. The questions were the same as mentioned above.