How McGill Desautels 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 McGill Desautels MBA interview process.
The McGill Desautels 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?
The McGill Desautels MBA program interview is usually conducted by one of the panel members. 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?
The interviewer has access to your complete application. In most instances, they would have read it completely.
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.
McGill Desautels 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 McGill?
- 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.
McGill Desautels MBA WAT
Some essential you should know before the McGill MBA interviews: The WAT subjects are not too challenging, and they frequently concentrate on current economic issues. The college would like to see how well-organized your writing is and how well-reasoned your arguments are.
The following are important reminders to consider before you start writing.
- Express your opinions rather than facts
- Use reason to approach the issue logically and holistically.
- Craft clear and thorough arguments.
- Avoid making whatever you write seem complicated.
Some WAT subjects from recent years:
- There has been a trend of increasing commercialization in the education sector in India. What measures could be taken by the government and public to curb this trend?
- How do you feel about the recent farmer-related legislation?
- What can be done to recover and lessen the effects of the Covid-19-related decline in the economy and GDP?
- Should the economy be allowed to resume normal operations, or should lockdowns still be in place?
McGill Desautels MBA Interview Questions – 1
I spoke with Antoinette Molino for my interview for the McGill MBA Program. It was an off campus interview held on February 28, 2023. She was eager to hear about my experience, and the interview was highly participatory. 50 minutes were spent on the interview. It seemed as though she knew about my application.
The questions listed here are more specific and mostly repeat those from the preceding debriefs. But I have brought them up to keep the interview questionnaire up to date.
The questions are as follows:
1) What are your plans for your short- and long-term career?
2) Have you thought about a Plan B or other employment options?
3) Why do you want to get an MBA?
4) Why an MBA at McGill?
5) Did you apply somewhere else?
6) Describe your job, including your tasks and roles, and describe a typical day at work.
7) What do you do in your spare time?
8) Do you have any questions for us?
To the aspiring candidates, I would say to smile and put on a joyful face. Be very clear about the positions you want, the businesses you want to work for, your long-term ambitions, and be prepared to answer questions about them. During the interview, they might examine your confidence, so make good arguments and give reliable information.
One of the most kind and humble people are McGill Adcoms. We talked about Montreal culture and French films on Netflix after the interview. I will hear from a member of the admissions committee, she assured me, within two weeks. Two days later, I received an admissions offer with a scholarship. I admire it and wish you luck.
McGill Desautels MBA Interview Questions – 2
My interview for the McGill MBA Program was conducted on January 04, 2023. I was interviewed by Mr. Zsolt Kekesi. We started out the conversation by exchanging pleasantries regarding the New Year’s celebrations and the correct pronunciation of our names (quite a few times I mispronounced his name, though I anticipated that he would mispronounce mine). He disclaimed that he would be listening even though he would be taking notes and avoiding his eyes from the webcam for that purpose.
The following were the questions asked?
1. Describe a hobby or other activity you enjoy.
2. Describe your professional background.
3) Why McGill and why an MBA?
4. What are your plans following MBA? What businesses and regions come to mind? What is your backup plan?
5. What about your job do you like best?
6. What aspect of your job do you dislike the least?
7. How does it feel to make a contribution to a certain sector?
8. What do your teammates consider to be your greatest asset?
9. Where do you see your career in 7–10 years?
10. What would you do if a teammate wasn’t pulling his weight?
11. Describe your greatest success.
12. Do you have any further information you would want to give the admissions committee?
13. If you receive admission offers from several schools, how would you choose one?
14) Are there any questions you have for me?
I believe the interview lasted for about 45 minutes. It is not very challenging; it is like any other interview. Nothing to worry about because the interviewer is quite polite. Do not forget to send a letter of appreciation following the interview. Simply express your gratitude for his or her time by writing something simple. All the best to you.
McGill Desautels MBA Interview Questions – 3
I applied on October 30th, and on November 16th I got the news that I would be having an interview for the McGill MBA Program. However, I needed to seek for a postponement because I needed to leave Canada for three weeks. Since I live here, I finally had my interview on campus on December 17th, 2018.
Instead of being an interview, it was more of a conversation. Simple questions like:
1. Tell me about your job, roles, and responsibilities
2. Follow-up inquiries on the business where I am currently employed.
3. Describe a ‘normal’ day at work for you. (She corrected me mid-answer after I misheard it as ‘tough’ day at work.)
4. She then enquired as to what my “”difficult”” workday would entail.
5. Long-term career objectives, 10-year plan.
6) Plan B, in case the first plan didn’t work.
7. Volunteering Experience and Additional Information.
8. She asked me, in a scenario, what I would do if one of my team members could not keep up with the rest of them.
9. Any questions for the interviewer.
That was all the questions asked to me. It was a chill interview. Nothing to worry about. All the best.
McGill Desautels MBA Interview Questions – 4
Hi. I learned via email on May 2nd, 2019, that I had been selected for the interview for the McGill MBA Program. The date of my interview was set on May 7, 2019. It began an hour early with my permission because I was on Skype practising my responses and listening to the audio. She informed me that the interview would take 30 minutes, after which I would have the option of asking more questions.
Following were the questions asked to me:
1. What other extracurricular activities do you engage in outside the work you did for your resume?
2. What are your immediate objectives?
3. If your short-term goals do not materialise, what is your backup strategy?
4. Why do you currently wish to get an MBA?
5) Why McGill?
6. Who do you think makes a good leader?
7. Considering that you have stringent deadlines, how do you work if someone on your team is underperforming?
8. What has been your greatest accomplishment to date?
9. What would one of your teammates say me about you if I spoke with them?
10. Do you have a question for me?
That’s all. Hope it helps. Best of luck.
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McGill Desautels MBA Interview Questions – 5
I was interviewed for the McGill MBA Program on November 21, 2018. It was a pleasant experience. The final result was that I got accepted at McGill University.
Very simple questions:
1. What do you like to do in your spare time?
2. What are your plans after earning an MBA? Do you have a backup strategy?
3) Why McGill and why an MBA?
4. Specifics of my project management job history
5. Where did you look for your first job?
6) What aspect of your employment do you like best?
7) What aspect of your job do you dislike the least?
8. What made you change jobs? When you change jobs, what are you searching for?
9. How would you prioritise an interview, a networking event, and a group project?
10. In three words, how would you sum up who you are? why?
11. Do you have any further information you would want to give the admissions committee?
12) Do you have any questions for me?
Tips:
a) Be detailed in your responses. Do mention to the interviewer that you have actually done some study about the institution, course, area, sector, etc.
b) Do anticipate follow-up inquiries from your initial inquiries. Although the initial set of questions is the same for everyone, the conversation progresses in this way and develops into a personalised experience for each person. Keep that in mind and be ready for that.
McGill Desautels MBA Interview Questions – 6
“On November 19, 2020, I had my interview for the McGill MBA program. I was interviewed by Sema Burney. She has a huge smile on her face and conveys calm. An enjoyable interview took place.
Basic questions were:
– Tell me about yourself
– Why an MBA
– Why now
– Goals post-MBA
– Challenges at work
– Lessons from your career
– Why McGill
– Why Canada
– Follow up on any unusual patterns in your profile or hobbies.
That’s all. You’ll perform well, so keep your smile on throughout the interview.