Getting into Harvard Business School’s MBA program is a dream for many aspiring business leaders. The interview process is a critical step in making that dream a reality. To help you prepare, ARINGO MBA Admissions Consulting has screened 100s of HBS interviews. Let’s delve into the 10 common questions you’re likely to encounter in a Harvard Business School MBA interview and how to excel in answering them.

  1. Why MBA?: This fundamental question seeks to understand your motivation for pursuing an MBA. Be clear about how an MBA aligns with your career goals and why HBS is the right fit.
  2. Tell Me About Your Career Path: Walk the interviewer through your professional journey, highlighting key achievements and experiences. Make sure to be attentive to the interviewer. Some like to ask questions during your walkthrough, some let you speak and then ask questions.
  3. Challenges You’ve Faced: HBS is interested in your ability to overcome obstacles. Share a specific challenge and how you navigated it, showcasing resilience and problem-solving skills. Another aspect to show here is your people skills. You can show how you persuaded others to get their buy-in or overcame other teams’ opinions or priorities.
  4. Your Long-Term Career Goals: Explain where you see yourself in the long run and how the HBS program fits into that vision. Make sure to connect the dots between your past, the MBA, and your career goals.
  5. Leadership Experience: HBS values leadership. Discuss leadership roles you’ve held, the impact you’ve made, and the lessons learned.
  6. Teamwork and Collaboration: MBA programs emphasize teamwork. Detail experiences where you collaborated effectively with others, highlighting your ability to work in diverse teams.
  7. Your Achievements Outside of Work: Share your extracurricular activities and interests, demonstrating a well-rounded personality.
  8. Why HBS?: Be prepared to explain why Harvard Business School is your top choice and how you will contribute to the HBS community.
  9. Your Contributions to the Classroom: HBS wants students who actively engage in discussions. Discuss how you’ll contribute to enriching the classroom experience.
  10. Anything Else You’d Like to Add?: This open-ended question allows you to share unique aspects of your candidacy not covered in the interview.

As you prepare, remember that the HBS interview is not just about your qualifications; it’s also a chance for the admissions team to get to know you on a personal level.

Here are some tips to excel in your interview:

  • Be Authentic: Be yourself and let your personality shine through. Authenticity is valued at HBS.
  • Storytelling: Craft compelling stories to illustrate your experiences and achievements. Use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method to structure your responses.
  • Research: Thoroughly research the MBA program, its faculty, and resources. Show that you’ve done your homework.
  • Practice: Practice with a friend or a mentor to refine your responses and get comfortable with the interview format.
  • Ask Questions: Prepare thoughtful questions about HBS to demonstrate your genuine interest in the program.
  • Reflect on Impact: Emphasize not just what you’ve done but also the impact you’ve had in your roles.

The HBS MBA interview is your opportunity to stand out and convince the admissions team that you belong in their prestigious program. With diligent preparation and a clear understanding of these common questions, you’ll be well on your way to acing the interview and securing your spot at Harvard Business School. Good luck!

ARINGO MBA Admissions Consulting offers interview prep sessions. For our prices and packages, please visit our shop or contact us today