HBS And Stanford: Ace MBA Interview With These Expert Tips

As per the recent news released over the official website, Harvard Business School (HBS) is likely to send interview invites to the selected candidates from round one applications. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the interview will be conducted online.

Harvard Business School is a top-grade business school that offers a two year full-time residential MBA program to students from across the globe. Every year it extends interview invites to around 1800 students. Situated in Boston, Massachusetts, Harvard has consistently maintained its rank of being amongst the top business schools in the world.

Expect A Revert from Harvard!

Candidates applying at Harvard can expect three possible responses to their round 1 applications:

1. Invite to interview – Final call for the interview!
2. Further consideration – This is sent to a small number of applicants that are asked to wait until Round 2. This is a stage when your applications will be reviewed again.
3. Early release – This means that your application has been eliminated from the process.

Nail the HBS Interview

Experts suggest that cracking the HBS interview is usually the final step in getting accepted. However, not all succeed in it. Thus, adaptation of the below-mentioned pointers can help you ace the process.

1. Have a coherent opinion 

The interview round is primarily based upon the personality test. Interviewers evaluate the core values of the candidate. The key to showing a strong personality is to have a strong stand for your opinions. Articulate thinking and rational decision-making can certainly impress the bench. The candidate is expected to understand the main objectives of his/her role as an MBA graduate. Be honest and sincere with the fabrication of your answers.

2. Know the details of your resume

Your resume is a reflection of your professional career and past experiences. During the process of the interview, it will act as a reference for the interviewers to frame questions for you. Many-a-times, candidates build a resume that is an exaggeration of their work. This might not work well when you’re applying to HBS. Be concise, genuine with every tiny detail you put in, and make sure to have an explanation for every move you ever made. You can prepare a few questions beforehand for practice.

3.  Adapt to the virtual environment

Sometimes candidates become over-conscious or they feel uncomfortable in a certain environment which can ruin the interview. If you’re not comfortable with cameras, make sure you practice well before you go for the actual interview. You should also ensure a proper internet connection/speed and good background. Avoid keeping clutters behind and keep the noise as low as possible. 

Also Read: Follow these tips to make an impression on video calls while working from home

4. Post-Interview Reflection 

You’ll be asked to submit a post-interview reflection within 24 hours of the interview. The reflection should be one page or less in length where the candidate can highlight the spots that could have gone better and mention details about them. According to an expert, regardless of the points you mention in it, candidates are advised to be coherent and opinionated. Besides, close it with a strong sense of confidence. 

What HBS looks for in a candidate?

In addition to the key points that can be helpful at the last stage, we have gone through some insights on what HBS looks for in the candidates. However, we can barely cover every little quality that might work for you from end to end, here’re the three main things that one should stick to from the beginning. 

1. The Leadership Approach

HBS appreciates leadership on any level. Be it extracurricular in college or professional achievements, leadership as a habit is what they seek. However, they need shreds of evidence for every claimed quality in you. No matter how small or large your participation might be, they can make estimates from even the tiniest of contributions.

2. Analytical Aptitude

Harvard Business School is a fast-paced, highly verbal environment. It is full of individuals with an appetite for lively discussions and debates. They look for the active participation of students who can assess and analyze complex information. People who have applied or are planning to apply to the HBS are also expected to have similar qualities.

3. Engaged Community Citizenship

A lot of the activities that go on in Harvard Business School require a strong collaboration of students. Therefore, HBS has an environment where the highest ethical standards are followed. Candidates who like to mix up with peers from various backgrounds, support each other, and have a learning attitude are surely preferred.

It’s true that the interview process of HBS is quite tactical. Hence, it’s vital to have deep thoughts about your professional strengths and past decisions, and why you want to have a career in management. HBS admission procedure ensures that the candidate is totally worth getting into and will contribute in a way that’s meaningful to the community. However, according to an expert, sometimes the interview might have gone flawless yet the candidate is rejected due to the shortage of vacancies.

Also read: MBA Interview questions from global B-Schools that you need to prepare for

Stanford Graduate School of Business 

The Stanford Graduate School of Business (GSB) is one of the top choices of business schools in the world. However, Stanford GSB has a meager 6.1% acceptance rate and is known to offer an exclusive MBA Program to students around the world.

Here are a few points you can keep in mind before you start your interview preparation.

1. The 3 Must-Have Qualities

Nemo says that Stanford GSB looks out for three main qualities in the candidate:

• Sound analytical skill
• Creative instincts
• Strong performance 

Aspiring candidates should demonstrate strong proficiency in each of these qualities in order to increase their chances of admission.Like Harvard Business School, Stanford GSB is also seeking people with huge leadership potential and community contributions. 

“In identifying stories that convey both specificity and substance, you’ll want to keep in mind what Stanford GSB cares about most,” Tatiana Nemo, Expert Coach at Fortuna Admissions and former Stanford GSB alumni & MBA Admissions interviewer writes.

2. Be Crisp With What You Speak

Applicants should prepare for the interview that includes: 

• A brief introduction
• 30 to 40 minutes of behavioral questions
• 15 minutes about the Stanford experience
• Closing

The key to nailing Stanford GSB interview is about having specific, substantive and convincing answers. Do not over rehearse, this makes people sound unnatural in the interview and can be fatal! , says an expert.

“The interview will be a conversation—you can expect the interviewer to be pleasant, and you’ll have the invaluable opportunity to ask those nitty-gritty questions at the end that only someone who has gone through the program can respond to”, says Tatiana Nemo.

3. Do Intense Research

Before you jump in for your interview preparation, carry out an intensive research about the bench or a particular interviewer(if you could find out about one). Try to collect as much information as possible about them so that you can predict some questions. Look him/her up on LinkedIn or other social media websites. “This kind of thoughtful preparation demonstrates your genuine interest in learning more about mutual fit,” Malvina Miller Complainville, an MBA admissions coach writes.

The Stanford admissions committee is aware of the fact that many students might begin to chase something else after completing MBA since they’re exposed to a myriad of opportunities during the course. Hence, aspirants should convince the committee that they have a plan of action and a mindful approach towards management. Thus, not having a clear narrative of your past decisions might get your application into the pile of rejected ones.

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