Vanderbilt Owen Interviews
Kim Killingsworth, Director of International Recruiting & Relations at Vanderbilt Business, recommends that applicants practice interviewing with colleagues and friends so they will feel comfortable and sound natural when talking with admissions officers —the interview is supposed to be a conversation, not a recitation of a mental script. International applicants will usually be asked the same questions as domestic candidates, so you should be ready to tell the story of your work experience and articulate your short-term career goals.
Always do a test run and make sure the connection works before it’s actually time for the video interview. Being fully dressed is also a top priority: “Someone will get up to adjust the camera or something, and they’ll only be wearing boxer shorts below,” Killingsworth says with a shake of her head.
To get more know more, visit Vanderbilt’s page on Admission Tips for International Applicants.
Who will interview you, and how long will the interview last?
Like most business schools, the Owen interview is taken by a Career Management Team. The interview is usually done by one member from the team. 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.
Vanderbilt Owen 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 Duke Fuqua?
- 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.
Vanderbilt Owen MBA Interview Question – 1
Hello everyone!
I was pretty nervous after going through some of the posts in last year’s thread about interview experiences (lots of problems with connections, very short interviews, interviewers that were not interested at all…), but I have to say that this was one of the best interview experiences of my life.
The (not blind) interview lasted for about 35 mins and it was very conversational. The first question was NOT walk me through your resume, but why do you want an MBA. Then some of the following questions were:
1. ST goals
2. A question related to one of my essays
3. If you have 60 seconds to present yourself to a potential employer, what would you say?
4. How would your supervisors describe you?
5. Strengths and weaknesses
6. Why Owen
7. How would you contribute to the Owen community
8. More personal questions
9. Do you have any questions for me
Throughout the interview, we talked extensively about Owen, its community (students, faculty…), Nashville, financial aid and the CMC.
I think it went well and, after this interview, I couldn’t have a better impression of Owen. I’m really looking forward to hearing back from them! The waiting is going to be excruciating!
Good luck to those of you who are still waiting for your interviews!
Vanderbilt Owen MBA Interview Question – 2
I interviewed with Brent Hoff, a 2nd year candidate, via the online portal earlier today. He was very professional and friendly at the same time. Interview lasted 30 minutes but felt short (could be just me). These are the questions I got asked:
1. Walk me through your resume
2. What was your criteria in shortlisting b schools
3. Why MBA and Why Owen
4. What is one skill you wish to improve through MBA and how will you go about doing that
5. How will you contribute to Owen outside the classroom
6. Experience working in a diverse team
7. One time you were part of a project that failed and why did it fail
8. What other schools did you apply to (Definitely restate your desire to attend Owen because it offers xyz that other schools do not)
I am a re-applicant and interviewed last year as well. That time I also got asked about one leadership experience and what I am most proud of.
Hope this helps. Good luck to everyone!
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Vanderbilt Owen MBA Interview Question – 3
My interview was with Jake Hedgecock, a 2nd year student at Owen. The interview was very relaxed and totally conversational. He was very encouraging.
The questions were the usual ones:
1. Tell me a bit about yourself.
2. Why MBA?
3. Why Owen?
4. Difficulties overcome and how did you overcome them?
5. Cross-cultural experiences and a couple more behavioral questions.
6. Hobbies.
7. Any questions for the interviewer
My first ever MBA interview was on 4th (Tepper), which, though was not bad, did not go as well as expected. But I made sure not to repeat the mistakes and to improve in the Owen interview. Towards the end, I apologized for giving lengthy answers to maybe a couple of questions (in case it cut down the number of questions that the interviewer could have asked), but he said it is not a problem and he only wanted to make sure that I have a conversation going.
Overall, it was a very positive experience, and though you can never really know for sure until the results come out, I can say I am fairly optimistic.
Vanderbilt Owen MBA Interview Question – 4
I’m here in Nashville for the Discovery Weekend. Had my interview earlier today. Very basic questions:
(Small talk about ballet and dancing….of all things )
1. Tell me your story.
2. Why MBA, Why Now, Why Owen?
3. Longterm, shortterm goals.
4. When did you best show leadership?
(few things specific to my background)
5. What is a preconception people have about you that isn’t true?
6. What is the most important thing about you for me to take to the committee?
7. Any Questions?
Look forward to it tonight. Lots of folks to be there. The applicants and adcom seem fantastic. Interviewer kept saying I seemed like a fantastic fit for Owen, so hopefully that’s honesty and not blowing smoke.
Vanderbilt Owen MBA Interview Question – 5
Had my skype Interview with Consuela. Submitted my application R2 deadline (jan 9), invited to interview jan 14. Interview was very conversational, lasted about 45mins total and had the usual elements:
- Background, why mba and career goals
- What skills and experiences will help you succeed in chosen career
- Why Owen
- Time of demonstrated leadership
- Contributions to owen community
- Tell me about your country
- Any questions for me.
My advice is not to get lost in the conversation but remember your key points/answers to these questions.
No rolling decisions according to her; all decisions will be made on the decision deadline day
Goodluck to everyone here.
Vanderbilt Owen MBA Interview Question – 6
My interview went well, it was very conversational as everyone stated. I interviewed with a second year student and we talked about Why now, and what I’m looking to do
Be prepared to answer Why Owen, Why MBA, Why MBA now, what are your strenghts and weaknesses, What would you bring to the table for group projects, and what other schools you have applied to and why. I am sure you will do great.
The whole experience at Owen was wonderful while visiting. Everyone was extremely welcoming and kind. I was able to sit on a class and participate in their discussion – you can tell everyone was close. Then I was able to get lunch with a student after my interview – and learn more about her move to Nashville and thoughts on the program.
All in all, great experience and one of the best campus visits I have had.
Vanderbilt Owen MBA Interview Question – 7
“Had my skype Interview with Consuela yesterday (jan 17). Submitted my application R2 deadline (jan 9), invited to interview jan 14. Interview was very conversational, lasted about 45mins total and had the usual elements:
- Background, why mba and career goals
- What skills and experiences will help you succeed in chosen career
- Why Owen
- Time of demonstrated leadership
- Contributions to owen community
- Tell me about your country
- Any questions for me.
My advice is not to get lost in the conversation but remember your key points/answers to these questions. No rolling decisions according to her; all decisions will be made on the decision deadline day (I guess March 8 for R2 applicants) Goodluck to everyone here.”
Vanderbilt Owen MBA Interview Question – 8
I had my Skype interview yesterday, and thought that it went pretty well! Pretty standard questions, nothing that threw me off. However, this was a much shorter interview than what I had been accustomed to. My interviewer asked me 4-5 questions and by the time she said “do you have any questions for me?” only 13mins had gone by. I asked three questions and had some nice conversation around favorite types of food and restaurants to wrap things up. Total time took 25mins.
Has anyone else experienced a short interview? Aside from the short length of the interview, I thought everything went pretty well, and she seemed to like my answers to her questions. It’s hard to get a read when you think the discussion went well, but lasted so short.
Vanderbilt Owen MBA Interview Question – 9
What I remember is:
1. Tell me about yourself
2. 60 second pitch to employer
3. How would supervisors describe you
4. How would friends describe you
5. Why Owen?
6. Time you got criticism.
7. Then some of the normal goals question, why MBA
My interview was blind, in that intentionally all that was known was my resume, but that may be because I interviewed before deadline so that may not be the way the do them after deadline. It was pretty formal, make sure you can back up initial answers with specifics. Chance to ask questions at end and then the interview took on a more relaxed and conversational tone.
Best of luck!
Vanderbilt Owen MBA Interview Question – 10
From my experience and speaking with others/campus visits it’s designed to be a conversational experience. They are interested in getting to know you as fit is very important to Owen.
I didn’t have any “trick” questions. Be prepared with your story and know your resume. Pretty standard stuff like: Why MBA? Why Now? Why here? Career goals? Leadership experience? Team experience? Strengths? Weaknesses? etc. There’s time at the end for you to ask questions and since it’s conversational you can ask questions during as well. Overall it was a pleasant experience Check out the free interview advice on ClearAdmit for other schools (don’t believe Owen is on there yet) and you’ll see similarities.
Good luck!
Vanderbilt Owen MBA Interview Question – 11
I had the skype interview with Kim. The interview itself was quite detailed and went on for around 45 minutes. I was asked how I would contribute to team projects and what I would expect to from the rest of my team during team projects. I was asked to describe my strengths in interpersonal skills. I was also asked which other schools I applied to and who I would pick If I get admits from all.
Besides this there were a few conventional questions on Why MBA, describe your goals etc.
Overall the interview was engaging and conversational.
Vanderbilt Owen MBA Interview Question – 12
“I was interviewed by Natasha Karimzadeh, and she was really delightful to talk with. The interview started exactly on time and lasted for about 25 mins. Questions:
- Started with her intro and the nature of the interview. It was blind. Then she asked me to introduce myself.
- Describe your work
- Goals, why MBA, why now.
- Behavioral questions.
Time when you:
- led an initiative and it failed. Lessons.
- did something you didn’t know. Experience and lessons
- adapted to a different culture. Lessons/hardships.
- convinced a team to do something they hadn’t approved initially.
- faced a conflict, how did you deal with it.
- Your b-school selection criteria. Other universities you’ve applied to. If all of them select you, why would you choose Owen?
- What will you bring to the class? How do you wish you class to remember you? What do you expect from your classmates?
- Diversity experience.
Questions for the interviewer:
- Suggestions for me as an international applicant.
- Your experience at Owen, tips.”
Vanderbilt Owen MBA Interview Question – 13
“My interviewer was a second year student. The interview lasted for about 20-23 minutes.
- Tell me about yourself.
- Goals.
- Why MBA now?
- Situation where I faced a conflict.
- A project I failed.
- A skill I developed at workplace.
- My contribution to class and Owen.
- What I expect from my peers at Owen.
- Experience in a diverse community.
- My role in my project at workplace.
- Other schools I applied to and my criteria for shortlisting the schools.
- Another question related to my work.
Lastly, he let me ask any questions I wanted to! Those were a lot of questions and the interview lasted for just 20 minutes 🙂 It was pretty conversational though!”
“I interviewed with Brent Hoff, a 2nd year candidate, via the online portal earlier today. He was very professional and friendly at the same time. Interview lasted 30 minutes but felt short (could be just me). These are the questions I got asked:
- Walk me through your resume
- What was your criteria in shortlisting b schools
- Why MBA and Why Owen
- What is one skill you wish to improve through MBA and how will you go about doing that 5. How will you contribute to Owen outside the classroom
- Experience working in a diverse team
- One time you were part of a project that failed and why did it fail
- What other schools did you apply to (Definitely restate your desire to attend Owen because it offers xyz that other schools do not)
I am a re-applicant and interviewed last year as well. That time I also got asked about one leadership experience and what I am most proud of. Hope this helps.
Good luck to everyone!”
Vanderbilt Owen MBA Interview Question – 15
“I had an online interview with Michael Mandrioli on 18th Feb’20 and it lasted about 25 mins. He was extremely attentive and welcoming and he made the interview feel more like a casual conversation. There were some issues with the interview portal initially, so we moved the interview to Skype. The questions that I was asked were on the lines of:
1. Tell me more about your journey and how you arrived where you are today.
2. Why do you want to do an MBA now?
3. On what parameters did you decide which schools to apply to? And which schools have you applied to?
4. Did you select Owen on these parameters or something more?
5. Which is the one skill that you want to improve while at Owen? What is your plan for it? 6. Tell me about a time when you worked on a project which later failed? How did you turn the tables around?
7. Owen is a diverse class. How will you contribute towards enriching the experience of your peers?
8. Do you have any questions for me?
I hope this helps! Good luck guys! :)”
