MBA Decoder

A question many people ask us:
Is there a benefit in submitting your application before the deadline?

Our answer:
Submitting early will help if you are applying to a b-school that has rolling admissions. Such b-schools start to read applications as they receive them and are likely to move to the next stages of the application process, such as interview and admit decision as they read and evaluate applications. It makes sense to apply early to such MBA programs as you will get an advantage over other applicants who apply later than you. However, you should not apply early if your application it not at its best as a compromised application quality can land you a rejection.
If the b-school has rolled out specific application deadlines, then there is no benefit in applying early. Instead you should work towards building a stronger application. However, avoid waiting until the last minute, because you will have no control should you encounter any technical issues while submitting. If you submit later than the round deadline, your application can automatically be ushed to the next round.

When you ask basic questions that can be answered with a Google search, it may seem like you are not serious about the MBA and not respecting the time and effort they put in to respond to you.
Instead, ask questions that will give you an insider perspective of the information you have already gathered.

The b-school website is a goldmine of information. However, don't stop your research there.

Note: Our Complete Application Assistance service provides, among other aspects, a curated list of 8-10 b-schools based on your career goals, academic objectives and fit,

From teaching styles to international opportunities, the key is to understand which program best suits you and your goals.

Finding the right MBA program for you can be an overwhelming task. Breaking it down into these three categories will simplify the process.

Before you start exploring the various MBA programs, it is important to determine your goals, preferences, interests and capabilities. Ask yourself these questions to make the research more effective.

Due diligence is necessary to find an MBA program that perfectly fits your personal and professional goals. In the coming weeks, we will break down how you can systematically research the MBA options available to you.

From conversational tone to behavioral
questions, Columbia Business interview is designed to
understand your fit with the institution and its values.

Congratulations on receiving interview invitations from your target MBA programs. Save for a few b-schools, most of them ask similar questions during your interview, so you must prepare your answers for these questions. I’ve categorized some common questions you’re likely to encounter. Here’s what to prepare for:

Introduction:
Walk me through your resume.
Tell me about yourself.

Work Related:
What do you do in your current role?
What is your favorite part of your current job? What is the least favorite part?
What is the most difficult part of your job?
Other questions related to your resume.

Goals and B-school:
Short term goals, long term goals, plan b career goals
Why MBA?
Why MBA from b-school?
What do you hope to learn from our program?
Which courses will you take?
What will you contribute to our program?
How did you choose schools? Which schools did you apply to?
Which clubs/extracurriculars would you want to participate in?"

BEHAVIOURAL Questions:
TEAM related:
What kind of a team player are you?
Tell me about a time you led a team through ambiguity.
Tell me about a time you had to depend on someone to get work done.
How do you lead learning teams with diverse personal goals?
Tell me about a time when there was conflict between two team members because of which a task could not be completed. How did you resolve and what did you lean?
Tell me about a time you worked with a difficult person

Leadership and Achievements:
Tell me about your leadership style.
Tell me about a time you demonstrated leadership.
Tell me about a time you adapted to change
Tell me about a time when you had to make a tough decision. What were your considerations? How did you reach the decision?
What is your biggest achievement?

Diversity:
Tell me about a time you led a diverse team. What was challenging about it, what was rewarding?
When working with people from a background different than you, what did you learn?
Tell me about a time you fostered DEI in your professional/personal life.

Failure/ Adversity:
Tell me about a time when you or your team failed to achieve goals, how did you handle it and what did you learn?
Tell me about a time where things didn’t go according to plan.
Can you describe a time you faced a challenge of an ambiguous situation and how did you handle it?

Self-Reflection:
How would your team describe you in 3 words?
Can you describe a time you received constructive feedback?
Two criticisms your teammates might have about you
What is your 3 biggest strengths?
What is your biggest weakness?

Random questions:
What do you like to do for fun?
which extra-curricular activities do you engage in?
Who is your role model and why?

Ending:
Any questions for me?

Feeling proud to be part of this group

We have a constellation of powerful and determined women who have accomplished feats in their field of work.
Introducing Ms Namita Garg as a Council Member of the WICCI National Learning & Development Council.

Namita Garg is the Founder of MBA Decoder, an MBA admissions consulting service company that she started in 2011. She has helped hundreds of professionals navigate the process and get admission into the top business schools in the world, helping them fulfill a dream of studying from the best professors and researchers.
Outside of work, Namita is a prolific baker and a new gardening enthusiast.

“Reserve your MBA spot now, join later”

Sounds Perfect, right? How idealistic it would be if every MBA aspirant could reserve a spot in an esteemed MBA program while they continued to complete their undergrad education. This scenario is a reality thanks to the Deferred MBA option offered by several top ranking MBAs. Read on ...

The Case for Deferred MBA Admissions The Case for Deferred MBA Admissions "Reserve your MBA spot now, join later" Sounds Perfect, right? How idealistic it would be if every MBA aspirant c

STEM MBAs are the next big thing! With an anti-immigrant political scenario in the US, and tightening of the H1B visa law, finding jobs in USA post-MBA has become challenging. While employers are reluctant to hire international students, prospective students are also shying away from the American MBAs, leading to drastic falls in applications across US b-schools. The STEM MBA is b-schools' innovative answer to this problem. Read on to know how US MBA programs are attracting international applicants by offering them STEM designation that allows them a 3-year work permit.

The Rise and Rise of the STEM MBA in America International MBA students studying on an F1 visa in the USA gain access to the American job market through the OPT or the Optional Practical Training. OPT allo