Stanford GSB - MBA Interview Preparation Guide

---

The Stanford GSB interview aims to assess your alignment with the school's values, leadership potential, and ability to contribute meaningfully to the GSB community. Interviews are by invitation only and are conducted by admissions committee members or trained alumni. The interview is a critical component of the admissions process, designed to delve deeper into your experiences and aspirations.

• Interviewers: Conducted by admissions officers or trained alumni. Alumni interviews are common, especially for international applicants.
• Format: Behavioral-based interviews focusing on past experiences to predict future behavior. Interviewers typically have access only to your resume, making it a semi-blind interview.
• Duration: Approximately 45–60 minutes, with some extending longer based on the flow of conversation.
• Tone: Professional yet conversational. Interviewers aim to create a comfortable environment to encourage authentic responses.

• Depth Over Breadth: Interviewers often delve deeply into specific experiences, seeking to understand your decision-making processes and the nuances of your actions.
• Authenticity is Crucial: Be genuine in your responses. Interviewers can discern rehearsed answers and are looking for honest reflections.
• Comprehensive Preparation: Review all aspects of your resume, including early career experiences and extracurricular activities, to provide diverse examples during the interview.
• Expect Probing Questions: Be prepared for follow-up questions that explore the implications and outcomes of your actions in various scenarios.

• Notable Quotes
• “My interviewer said, ‘My job is to check the box that you're not a bot.’ We both laughed at that.”
• “The interviewer probed a lot on exactly what kind of actions I took in the past related to one of my projects, even the trivialities.”
• “I realized I did a poor job of giving a variety of examples. I mostly focused on my current job and not my first job or outside of work activities.”
• “The interviewer asked, ‘What happened next?’, ‘What did you tell your manager after this?’, ‘How did they respond?’, and ‘What would you do differently the next time?’”

• Describe a time when you led a team through a challenging situation.
• Tell me about a time you had to influence someone without authority.
• Share an experience where you contributed to a team’s success.

• Tell me about a time you faced conflict in a team setting. How did you handle it?
• Describe a situation where you had to mediate between differing viewpoints.

• Discuss a time when you failed. What did you learn?
• Share an experience where you had to overcome significant obstacles.

• Provide an example of when you took initiative to solve a problem.
• Describe a situation where your actions led to a positive change.

• Why do you want to pursue an MBA, and why now?
• Why Stanford GSB?
• What are your short-term and long-term career goals?

• What is your greatest strength and weakness?
• How have you grown personally and professionally in the past few years?

• How do you plan to contribute to the Stanford GSB community?
  • What clubs or activities are you interested in at GSB?

• Be Authentic: Share genuine experiences and reflections
• Be Concise: Practice delivering clear and succinct responses.
• Know Your Application: Be prepared to discuss any part of your resume or essays in detail.
• Research GSB: Demonstrate a deep understanding of what makes Stanford GSB unique and how it aligns with your goals.
• Practice: Conduct mock interviews to become comfortable with the interview format and question types.