Scott Edinburgh, founder of admissions consulting firm Personal MBA Coach, answers your Applicant Question of the Week
It's Thursday, which means it's time for the BusinessBecause Applicant Question of the Week!Every week, we give you the opportunity to ask one of our chosen admissions experts anything you want to know about getting into business school. One question each week is chosen for our expert to answer.
This week, our question comes from an anonymous BusinessBecause reader.
Their question is answered by Scott Edinburgh, founder of MBA admissions consulting firm Personal MBA Coach. Scott has an MBA from Wharton and has been a business school admissions consultant for over 10 years.
Applicant Question of the Week:
Dear BusinessBecause,
What is the best way to prepare for a video interview with a top-ranked business school? Will this be much different to an in-person interview?
The Answer:
Great question! Thank you for the contribution and congratulations on receiving an interview invite. A video interview is actually very similar to an in-person interview. First, let’s take care of some logistics:
What should you wear? I recommend dressing the same way you would for an in-person interview. Business formal is the safest, so a woman’s suit and for men, suit and tie.
Where should you conduct this? Pick a place that will be quiet (you will be surprised what microphones can pick up) and where there are not too many distractions for the interviewer. You do not need to be in front of a white wall, but try to avoid a messy room behind you that could be distracting.
What technical equipment do you need? No need to go too fancy here. Simply have a computer with a camera and microphone and you should be all set. Even if you do not have this, you could use a phone with video capabilities as long as it is steady on a desk so it does not shake.
Ok, now that the administrative details are straightened out, how do you actually prepare?
1. Practice articulating your goals.
This is the most common question you will get. What do you want to do post-MBA? Make sure you can carefully and succinctly describe what you want to accomplish in your career, why these goals are exciting to you and how you will ultimately succeed.
2. Prepare stories.
Research the most common questions and prepare stories in advance. It is important to have clear stories and do not focus too much on setting up the situation. Instead, outline the key steps you took and how you excelled! Always keep in mind the skills you want to highlight and tailor the story accordingly. I always advise applicants to prepare 4-5 stories that can be easily tailored to cover all of the top questions. Assign each story to the potential question in advance. Remember: Situation, Action, Result!
3. Be enthusiastic!
While this is obvious, be excited and smile. Particularly for video interviews, showing enthusiasm virtually is key. While doing so, make sure to maintain eye contact. This does not mean looking at the screen however—look at the camera instead.
4. Know the school and the culture.
Fit is extremely important in all MBA interviews. Be sure that you pay careful attention to each school’s culture, do online research, and talk to former students. Showing adcom how you will thrive and add to the campus is important.
5. Have 2-3 positive questions to ask.
Especially for a video interview, you will not have the in-person advantage of reading the interviewer as much. However, most will ask for questions at the end. This is the time for you to learn, so ask well thought out questions (beyond what you could have found looking online) to show genuine interest.
6. Relax and be yourself!
Ask an Admissions Expert a Question!
Got a question about your MBA application? Next week, Shari Hubert, associate dean for admissions at Duke University Fuqua School of Business, will be answering one question from a BusinessBecause reader.
Shari joined Fuqua in 2017, and before that, she worked as associate dean for admissions at .
She has also a wealth of business expertise, gained from an MBA from Harvard Business School and management work at GE and Citi.
Got a question for Shari?
You can submit your question on our Twitter, Facebook, or LinkedIn pages, send us an email to info@businessbecause.com, or simply post a comment in the box below!
Student Reviews
Duke University Fuqua School of Business
Supportive atmosphere
The professors at Duke university exhibit exceptional commitment to the success and well-being of their students by ensuring their academic growth and fostering a supportive social atmosphere. Moreover, the entire community is recognized for its amicability and inclusiveness.
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The people or the students are without a doubt Duke's greatest asset. While all students are driven to succeed, they are also enthusiastic about a variety of hobbies. You run across a huge lot of diversity. It is the ideal example of a school with well-rounded students and the ideal balance of campus life in a metropolis.
Happy to school
All I could ever hope for is Duke University. That really epitomizes the "work hard, play hard" philosophy that elite colleges frequently pursue. Even though you'll have a lot of schooling to complete over the week, it's simple to keep focused because all of your friends are putting in similar amounts of effort. Many events taking place on and around campus on the weekends provide a great way to unwind. The combination of demanding academics and traditional college fun strikes the perfect balance.
Good schooling
Living, eating, learning, and developing who you want to be as an adult are all fantastic at Duke. I participated in student athletics, and I couldn't have asked for a better interaction with the faculty and other students. I appreciate all of the help I get from the Duke community more than anything. Furthermore, the teachers take the time to get to know you, and the lectures are diverse and demanding (if you do the same). I'd give it a 10 out of 10.
Beautiful School, Nice Classes
DU remains one the greatest and best universities that I have ever stepped in. The school is beautiful and neat. The classes are spacious and also very nice. I enjoyed attending my Lectures in those lecture halls. I also loved the Lecturers because of the good work they did. The university also has very good dorms that are given to students on first come first serve basis and they are affordable
Amazing experience
I received my B.S. in Biology and B.A. in Global Health with a minor in Chemistry from Duke University. I was able to grow as a student, scientist, and global health advocate with the help of my friends, professors, and other mentors I met along the way. A lot to learn if you look and ask, a great place to learn for those who want to learn.
whirlwind of growth and change
An amazing 2 years, with covid and everything else happening Duke has been a place of growth for me. The courses , classes were one of a kind, online and on campus. But the valuable lessons learned in the classes are irreplicable. The students are amazing here, so much diversity , I had no problem fitting in. The teachers are down right brilliant and so helpful. Don't be afraid to ask them anything. Graduated with my MBA with Duke and now my future awaits.
One of the best for Business students
Graduated with an MBA. The classes were very insightful and engaging. The staff are very easy to deal with. The teachers and students, are truly amazing people. Grateful to all the people I've met along the way at Duke. I've learnt a great deal that will help me in my future endeavors. The campus itself is a marvel, it is beautiful.
The university campus is awesome
I graduated with a masters degree in Religious Studies from Duke University. One thing I really liked about the university is its huge campus. It is spread in a large area with a lot of greenery and also have the facilities of reading rooms for single person also. My department building was very well taken care of. The library is immensely populated with books for all your needs. The faculty is very nice to students. The classes are equipped with latest technology to cater the needs of students. The University also provides room rentals for international students. They are very well maintained and priority is given to the International students for a comfortable stay there. There are weekly events conducted by the University as well as Student clubs for the entertainment of students. Anybody can take part in them and show their talents. I enjoyed my degree and I graduated in 2021 and was very happy that I had graduated from a reputed University.
Program Flexibility and Vibrant Campus Life
Duke University is renowned for its rigorous academic programs and vibrant campus life. The university offers a diverse range of majors and research opportunities, supported by world-class faculty.
What I particularly liked about Duke was its strong sense of community and the wealth of extracurricular activities available to students. The campus is beautiful, with top-notch facilities and a supportive atmosphere that fosters both personal and academic growth.
Overall, I would highly recommend Duke University for its excellent educational offerings and strong alumni network. If you're looking for a place that challenges you academically while offering numerous opportunities for personal development, Duke is an excellent choice.
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