SDA Bocconi MBA Interviews

What are the most important aspects of the Bocconi MBA application process besides GMAT score, prior GPA, and current job position?

The interview plays quite an important role. We look at prior experience mainly; we don’t take students fresh from their studies, and look for at least a couple of years, preferably three, of experience. Average experience is five years. We look for a strong academic background with an emphasis on experience in order to grasp what is being taught. A letter of recommendation and international experience are also important, although international experience is not mandatory. Willingness to take on challenges and the ability to work under pressure are important. We would prefer an applicant with a lower GPA who completed their program on time over a perfectionist who took longer.

What is one mistake you see applicants make? What is something you would like to see applicants do more often?

Applicants can be superficial in deciding what schools to apply to and do not take the time to go into detail and really assess the school. Whether or not students have really researched the school comes through in the essay. SDA Bocconi is keener to have prospective students sit for an interview when it is evident that they have invested their energies in applying to the school. We like to see applicants that have done their research.

SDA Bocconi MBA Frequently Asked Interview Questions

  1. Tell me something about yourself?
  2. Walk me through your resume?
  3. Why MBA? Why SDA Bocconi school?
  4. Why MBA now or Why MBA at this stage of your career?
  5. What is your short & long term goals?
  6. What is your Plan B if consulting/Investment banking does not happen?
  7. What are your key strengths? Can you give some examples please?
  8. What is your biggest weakness ? Can you give some examples please?
  9. How can you add value to the Class?
  10. Why should we take you?
  11. One reason that we should not select you?
  12. Interests and Hobbies – Be prepared!.. questions as basic as “Why do you do poetry (or any other activity” may be asked.
  13. Some Situational & Behavioral Question
    • What would you describe are your greatest achievement to date?
    • Give me an example of a time you faced a conflict while working on a team. How did you handle that?
    • Give me an example of a time when you did not meet a client’s expectation. What happened, and how did you attempt to rectify the situation?
  14. Case questions are fairly common in MBA interview especially for consulting aspirants. Below are a few sample for to practice for:
    • How many Golf balls can fit in a Boeing 747?
    • What’s the global market size for smartphones?
  15. Do you have any Question for us?

SDA Bocconi MBA Interview Questions – 1

I had my interview yesterday. The lady I talked to has not seen my application, only had my resume with her. I guess they wanted to see some purely human traits there. That also means, that she asked me basically all the same questions that were covered in my application:

Why an MBA now?
What are your strengths and weaknesses?
If you don’t mind me asking did you apply to other programs? Were you accepted and which ones? I was honest there and said that I applied and already been accepted, but definitely was willing to change my mind towards SDA. I guess I could have refused, seemed like she was just interested herself.

Also, it was pretty chill, we laughed a lot, but I guess it’s just my charm 😀

Cheers and good luck

SDA Bocconi MBA Interview Questions – 2

Nothing very special in the video pre interview. You will be asked 4 questions for which you will be given 15 seconds to think of your answer and then 1 minute to answer the question.

I was asked questions like : what after mba ? What characteristics should a leader have? What are you long term goals after the mba? Etc…

They basically want to make sure you speak good English and whether it is actually you who has written the essays. (Read your essays before you appear for the preinterview)

Hope that helps , good luck !

SDA Bocconi MBA Interview Questions – 3

In my case I did the interview locally in Colombia with a Bocconi alumni. He basically covered the questions on the admission but in a conversation format. At the end he did 1 small case regarding the 5 P’s (product, price, people…) when building a business, and a math question.