How To Tackle The 'Why Your Business School?' Question

As Round 1 interview invitations start to get released, one question every candidate should expect to be asked is “Why do you want an MBA from our school?” This question comes up every year and despite the foreknowledge and ability to prepare ahead, it is a question that candidates routinely flub. There are a variety of poor ways to answer this question.

Most Common Answers Candidates Will State For Their Interest In A Particular School

The school will give them the leadership skills they need to reach the next level
They will obtain a better understanding of a wide range of business issues and/or
The school will provide a strategic toolkit to help them achieve their goals.

These may all be true so what makes them bad answers? It’s because candidates are essentially repeating back the same vague clichés they find on school websites, whether or not they are aware of it. None of these answers are specific or impactful enough to convince an admissions member that the candidate has reflected deeply about what an MBA has to offer and what makes that particular school (whether it’s Wharton, Booth, or Stern) the best fit for them as a candidate.

So…what are the components that make up a strong response? In your answer, mention the following things:

Curriculum. I am often amazed at the number of candidates who will fixate on a school’s brand recognition and alumni network, and not consider or discuss the fact that they are investing in education. Tell the admissions committee or interviewer what classes and majors interest you, and why. Show them you have gone beyond the school landing pages to really dig into how you can customize your classes to meet your unique needs and future goals. What’s an A+ answer? Name a specific professor and talk about how their research aligns with your own interests and goals.
Extracurricular opportunities. These out-of-classroom learning opportunities can include entrepreneurship centers, global trips, joint programs with other schools within the university, etc. Again, drill down and make it meaningful for your candidacy. For example, you can say you hope to travel to the Philippines during Yale’s Global Network Week to learn more about post-pandemic opportunities to do business in Asia. Or perhaps you aspire to be selected to MIT delta v, the highly selective capstone accelerator program offered through the Marin Trust Center for MIT Entrepreneurship. Show the school that you’ve done your homework and have thought about what opportunities outside the classroom are best for achieving your short- and long-term goals.
Culture. “Fit” is the most elusive aspect of an interview for any candidate. It is a completely subjective measurement that plays a major role in your acceptance to the school. It doesn’t matter what your GMAT scores were or where you went to undergraduate school – if the interviewer doesn’t think you’ll be a good fit for their school, you will not get a positive interview report. How do you demonstrate fit? Show the interviewer that you understand the culture. For example, you know what Team Fuqua means. Name all the ways you will get involved on campus. Sure, you’ll join the consulting club and the Women in Business Association, but don’t forget about the fun side of business school. Tell them you look forward to putting your musical theater skills to good use for Special K!, Kellogg’s annual humor and variety show. Talk about your mountaineering experience and how you will contribute to Darden’s Outdoor Club. Above-average answer? Find something new you can contribute, like starting up a sailing club. And name the students and alumni you’ve talked to – by this point in the process, you should have at least three contacts whom you can mention over the course of the interview.

Coming up with unique, compelling reasons for each business school you apply to may sound like work – and it is. The candidates who are willing to expend the extra effort to give truly impactful answers are the ones who will be successful in this highly competitive process.