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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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 2023-24 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.

Interviews provide you an ideal opportunity to present a different view of your credentials to the admissions committee. An admissions staff member, an alumnus/a, or an Admissions Fellow (a second-year MBA student) will conduct your interview. Interviews are offered either in-person or virtually, whichever works best for you.

Interview Fast Facts:

  • Interviews are conducted in English.
  • Interviews generally last 45–60 minutes.
  • Appropriate attire is business casual.
  • Interviewers will have a copy of your resume, but no other portion of your application file.

Two ways to interview

1. During the Open Interview Period

All applicants, regardless of the round in which you intend to apply, are eligible to interview during the Open Interview Period. A completed application is not required to interview during the Open Interview Period, but you must have started an application and have completed the biographical information. Once you have completed your biographical information, you can access the interview and campus visit schedules to select your date. Interviews during the Open Interview Period are on a first come, first served basis, and may be done in person at our Durham campus, or virtually via Zoom.

On-Campus Open Interview Period Fast Facts:

When: September 11 – October 6, 2023
Where: Durham, NC
How: Sign up through the online application, select the date for your on-campus interview, and choose from a menu of other activities you may want to join during your visit, such as an admissions session, student panel, or class visit.

Virtual Open Interview Period Fast Facts:

When: August 24 – October 6, 2023
Where: Virtually
How: Sign up through the online application, and be sure you complete the mailing address section so we can match you with an interviewer in a similar time zone. You will not be asked to select a specific date for a virtual interview; rather, you will be introduced to your interviewer via email in mid-August, and together you and your interviewer can find a mutually convenient date and time to meet. You must complete your interview no later than October 6.

If your interview is not conducted during the Open Interview Period, your interview will be scheduled by invitation only. For an invitation-only interview, you must first submit your completed application for review by the Admissions Committee. Interview decisions will be made after a review of all submitted applications for a given round have been received, and applicants will be notified via email of their interview decision. An interview decision is not a final decision on your application. Additional details on interviews by invitation can be found in the next section.

To learn more about Team Fuqua, we encourage you to also sign up for activities offered through our campus visit program.

2. Interview by invitation

If you do not interview during the Open Interview Period, you will only be able to interview if invited to do so. Invitations are extended based on a thorough evaluation of your completed application. If invited, you will be interviewed during the interview period that corresponds to your application round.

Interview by Invitation Fast Facts:

Interviews by invitation are conducted in each application round by staff, alumni, and Admissionis Fellows (select second-year MBA students).

When: Interview decisions are sent on published dates for each round
Where: Applicants may choose to interview on campus in Durham, in person at one of our off-campus interview locations, or virtually.

Interviews during the Diversity events, which are invitation-only interviews, will be conducted in person during the event.

Interviews are conducted by staff, alumni, and Admissions Fellows, a select group of second year students. All interviews are valued equally, regardless of who conducts your interview or the type of interview (in-person or virtual). As you prepare for your interview, please be aware that your interviewer will only have access to your resume and will not have read your application.

The interview provides an opportunity for you to learn more about our community. It also allows the admissions committee to further evaluate your interpersonal and communication skills, career focus and motivations for pursuing a Kellogg MBA.

Virtual interviews

All interviews are currently virtual. You will receive an email regarding the status of your interview and scheduling instructions.

Interview waiver

Due to the high demand for interviews and the limited availability of interviewers, you may receive an interview waiver. If your interview is waived, the admissions committee may contact you if further information is needed to make a decision on your candidacy.

All interview requests are final

You may not change your interview after it is scheduled. If you are unable to attend your interview, please contact the Office of Admissions at 847.491.3308 to cancel your request and the office will issue an interview waiver. Waivers do not have an impact on an applicant’s candidacy; we will reach out directly if further information is needed to render a decision.

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 1, 2023, for Round 1 / Consortium 1, or
    • December 1, 2023, for Round 2 / Consortium 2, or
    • March 1, 2024, for Round 3

    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 Round Interview notifications
sent on a rolling basis beginning
Interview notifications
sent on a rolling basis until
Round 1 Mid-August, 2023 Early December, 2023
Round 2 Early December, 2023 Mid-March, 2024
Round 3 Mid-March, 2024 Late April, 2024
Consortium 1 Early October, 2023 Early December, 2023
Consortium 2 Early December, 2023 Mid-March, 2024

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 2023-2024 admissions cycle. Remember, we value all interviews equally in our evaluation process, whether guaranteed or invitational, in-person or virtual.

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