UPDATE: This article was originally posted on March 13, 2020. It has been updated with 2024/25 information and tips below.
With a focus on preparing leaders to act at the intersection of business, technology, and analytics, CMU Tepper is a popular school for savvy professionals seeking a school with top-notch academics and recruiting and a ton of school spirit.
However, with the school’s STEM-designated business analytics major, the competition to join Tepper’s elite MBA is more difficult than ever.
That’s why we’ve prepared this guide to help you use your Tepper MBA interview to stand out. We’ve rounded up not only our best tips but have also included sample interview questions to ensure you give your Tepper interview your best shot.
How the Tepper interview works
Making sure you shine during your Tepper interview is no easy task.
Foster interviews, since they are conducted by the admissions committee, tend to be highly focused on determining your fit with the Tepper program.
During the interview, the interviewer is also trying to gauge how solid your motivations for wanting to pursue an MBA are and how interested you seem in the Tepper program.
Interviewers often ask many standard MBA interview questions, as well as questions designed to test just how collaborative you really are. You can also expect numerous follow-up questions.
Our clients who have interviewed with Tepper in the past say that the interviewer was very friendly and demonstrated a genuine interest in their answers. Though questions do tend to focus on standard MBA interview questions, be ready for anything.
Who will interview you?
You will interview with a member of Tepper’s admissions committee.
Will the interviewer have read your application?
The Tepper interview is blind, meaning the interviewer will only have access to your CV. This means you can repeat examples from your essays if you choose to.
How long will the Tepper interview last?
30 minutes
Who is Tepper looking for?
(Photo courtesy of @tepperCMU on Instagram)
“Ultimately, our goal is to welcome a class of MBAs who have diverse backgrounds and experiences and will compliment and challenge one another to learn and grow during their two years at the Tepper School. Your unique set of experiences, both life and professional, are your best assets.” (Tepper Admissions)
Every year, Tepper spends a significant amount of time reviewing applications in order to select members for its class of around 150 students. With a strong emphasis on diversity, there is no “typical” Tepper student, yet the average admitted student of the Class of 2026 does have a 697 GMAT score and 6.3 years of work experience.
Beyond the impressive statistics, though, Tepper is looking for candidates who want to make a positive impact on the world through their careers. That’s why, in addition to strong academic performance (demonstrated through the GMAT and university grades), Tepper seeks candidates who also excel at working in teams.
Trends in recent Tepper MBA interviews
Recent feedback from candidates interviewing at Tepper highlights several notable trends that you should consider when preparing for your interview:
Analytical and Quantitative Skills: Tepper’s emphasis on data-driven decision-making is increasingly reflected in the questions asked during the interview. Candidates should be prepared to showcase their ability to analyze data, make data-driven decisions, and apply their quantitative skills to solve problems.
Adaptability and Resilience: Interviewers are placing a stronger focus on a candidate’s ability to adapt to changing circumstances and learn from setbacks. Expect questions that probe how you handled challenging situations, overcame obstacles, or demonstrated resilience in the face of failure.
Leadership in Collaborative Settings: There is a growing trend toward questions about collaborative leadership, where candidates need to demonstrate their ability to lead or influence others, even when they don’t have formal authority. These questions aim to gauge your ability to work effectively in teams and inspire others in a collaborative environment.
How can you prepare for your Tepper interview?
Though no interview is 100% predictable, Tepper interviews do tend to center around a fairly standard list of MBA interview questions. As such, we have prepared some model questions below that previous candidates have received in their past Tepper interviews.
What questions are asked in the Tepper MBA interview?
The questions below are drawn from our clients’ interview reports, as well as from sites like clearadmit.com. Though these are not all the potential questions you could possibly receive during your Tepper interview, preparing for these (and any follow-up questions you think you might be asked) should give you a very solid foundation for your interview.
STARTING UP QUESTIONS
- Tell me about yourself. (Expect follow-up questions)
- What do you like to do for fun?
- What are your short-term and long-term career goals?
- What are your backup goals?
- Name three firms you would like to work at after your MBA.
- Why do you want an MBA?
- Why now?
- Why Tepper?
- How will you contribute to Tepper?
- What clubs are you interested in?
- What other schools have you applied to? If you get into all of them, how will you choose where to go?
LEADERSHIP & TEAMWORK
- Tell me about a time when you didn’t get along with your team. What did you do?
- Tell me about one instance when you disagreed with your boss and how you handled the situation.
- What is your leadership style?
- Tell me about a time you were part of a team but your team members did not agree with your decision.
- Tell me about a time you worked on a team with people of different cultural backgrounds.
- Tell me about a time when you had to lead a team without formal authority. How did you motivate others and gain their support?
MISCELLANEOUS BEHAVIORAL
- How would your friends describe you? What about your boss?
- What are your strengths and weaknesses?
- Can you give an example of a time you failed to achieve a goal? How did you respond, and what steps did you take afterward?
- Tell me about a time when you took a risk.
- Tell me about a time you helped someone achieve something.
- Tell me about a time when you had to quickly adapt to a major change in your work environment or project. How did you manage the transition?
- What three things set you apart from your peers?
- Tell me about a decision you made that was heavily influenced by data analysis. What data did you use, and how did you interpret it?
- Tell me about an accomplishment you are proud of at work.
- How do you handle feedback and what’s an example of when you implemented it effectively?
CLOSING
- Is there anything else you would like us to know about you?
- Is there anything you wish I had asked you?
- Questions for me?
We have found that answering real interview questions on the spot is a much better means of preparation than reading lists of interview questions for most candidates.
We highly suggest you take a look at mock interview questions and sample interview responses before your interview.
Our MBA Resource Center has dozens of real interview mocks from Tepper, as well as detailed guides to help you prepare for questions ranging from “Why our MBA program?” to “Tell us about a time you failed.”
The Ellin Lolis Consulting MBA Resource Center is your one-stop shop for interview success. Click to join!
If you’re still not quite confident with your interview skills, our interview experts can help you craft your answers or prepare you for the Tepper interview through mock interviews tailored to your profile.
What to do if you get a question you haven’t prepared an answer for
Despite your most diligent preparation, you will almost always receive a question you had not prepared.
First, stay calm and take a deep breath. You have already made it this far in the process, and one question will not trip you up!
Second, make sure you directly answer the question the interviewer asked you. For example, if the interviewer asks you about a time you had to deal with a difficult manager, make sure to tell a story about a difficult manager and how you handled the situation.
If you’re having trouble thinking of an answer or an example to support your answer, however, take a drink of water to give yourself a few more minutes to think. If you really can’t think of an example from your personal or professional experience, you can use a hypothetical answer about how you would act in a certain situation.
Finally, assume that the interviewer is testing how you think on your feet and respond to questions you didn’t prepare in advance. Though your answer might not be as polished as if you’d had weeks to rehearse it, smile and confidently respond to show you can handle any question they throw at you.
Effectively tell your story during your Tepper interview
One of the most common mistakes we see in MBA interviews is that candidates fail to tell compelling, well-constructed stories about their profiles while also nailing the basics.
Striking this balance between sharing STAR-format examples that show off your background while also presenting strong answers to questions like “Why do you want an MBA?” is a challenging task that requires significant thought and preparation.
Because of this, it’s no surprise that, on average, 50% of interviewed applicants walk away without an offer.
This is why our interview preparation process here at Ellin Lolis Consulting is known as the best in the industry. We offer customized 1:1 support that ensures you’re able to turn your application’s strengths into compelling answers that show fit and sell your profile in any type of interview. Our individualized approach is why 98.9% of our complete consulting clients get into at least one of their target schools.
Forget simulation platforms or long lists of tips – our 1:1 preparation focuses on playing to your strengths and overcoming your weaknesses to turn you into an interview expert. Our interview packages sell out quickly, so make sure you sign up today!
Real MBA Essays That Got People In
School-specific sample essays that got our clients accepted
