Top MBA Programs with Early/Open Interviews

Generally, business schools interview MBA applicants after they have had a chance to review their applications. After each round is over and all application are submitted, several MBA candidates receive interview invitations.

There are however some exceptions to this rule, in other words: business schools that require for applicants to schedule an interview before they apply, or offer open MBA interviews/applicant-initiated interviews to all candidates. The interview can be scheduled by the candidate from within the online application, and sometimes there is a specific period for asking for an open interview, so it’s important to pay attention to the instructions on schools websites.

Kellogg School of Management

Northwestern Kellogg School of Management

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Interview Format

Interviews play a critical role in our assessment of candidates and are required prior to acceptance into the program. Our interviews are 30–45 minutes in length and your interviewer will not have read or reviewed your application or résumé. It is our policy to conduct anonymous interviews, so there is no need to send in your résumé for the interview.

Open Interviews (Early Action Round)

Darden interviews will be offered on-Grounds and virtually for the 2024-25 application cycle. More information will be available in August when Early Action interviews begin. Please re-visit this page for additional details on the interview process as it relates to interview scheduling.

Early Action applicants can interview from August through the end of September on a first come, first served basis. We will continue to release new interview times throughout the open interview period, so check back frequently if you do not find a date or time that suits your schedule. Prepare to be flexible based on interview availability. Early Action open interview availability will be announced in early August.

Interview times are limited, so we kindly ask that you schedule your interview only if you intend to submit a completed application by the Early Action deadline. In order to be considered for admission, your application must be submitted and the application fee paid by the deadline.

Invitation-Only Interviews

For those who apply in Rounds 1, 2 or 3, an invitation-only interview is conducted after your application has been submitted and reviewed by the admissions committee. Invitations to interview are sent on a rolling basis up to and including the decision release date for each round. There is no significance as to when an interview invitation is sent; an invitation to interview should be seen as positive indicator no matter when it is received.

Consortium Applicants

Consortium applicants follow the same invitation-only admissions interview process as outlined above.

Admissions interviews are an opportunity for you to further demonstrate that you are smart, accomplished, aware, and encouraging. They provide additional information on who you are, what you have done, where you are going, and how you will get there. All applicants admitted to Tuck will interview prior to an admissions offer.

HOW ARE INTERVIEWS SCHEDULED?

There are two paths to an interview:

  • Guaranteed interviews — All applicants who submit their complete application, including test scores and Letters of Reference, by 5:00pm ET on:
    • September 3, 2024, for Round 1 / Consortium 1 or
    • December 2, 2024, for Round 2 / Consortium 2

    will be guaranteed an interview.

  • Invitational interviews — For all other applicants, interviews are offered by invitation only. We will review your application and invite you to interview if we believe it will help us learn more about how you demonstrate our admissions criteria.

We understand that not everyone can submit their complete application by the early deadlines. Don’t worry if this is true for you. We value all interviews equally in our evaluation process, whether guaranteed or invitational, in-person or virtual.

WHEN ARE INTERVIEWS SCHEDULED?

Application RoundInterview notifications
sent on a rolling basis beginning		Interview notifications
sent on a rolling basis until
Round 1Mid-August, 2024Early December, 2024
Round 2Early December, 2024Mid-March, 2025
Round 3Mid-March, 2025Late April, 2025
Consortium 1Mid-October, 2024Early December, 2024
Consortium 2Early January, 2025Mid-March, 2025

We release invitations to interview on a rolling basis throughout the round. It is possible to receive an invitation to interview in the days prior to the decision notification date. The timing of your interview invitation does not reflect the committee’s level of interest in your application.

HOW ARE INTERVIEWS CONDUCTED?

Most interviews are conducted by a select group of trained second-year students, Tuck Admissions Associates (TAAs). Interviews last 30-45 minutes. Using only your resume, your interviewer will ask you behavioral questions aimed to draw out evidence that you are smart, accomplished, aware, and encouraging. At the end of the interview, you will have an opportunity to ask questions of your interviewer to learn more about their experience and Tuck.

We will offer both virtual and a limited number of on-campus interviews for the 2024–2025 admissions cycle. Remember, we value all interviews equally in our evaluation process, whether guaranteed or invitational, in-person or virtual.

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