UPDATE: This article was originally posted on February 24, 2020. It has been updated with 2024/25 information and tips below.
Located at the center of the US political world yet with a strong focus on global experience, Georgetown McDonough’s full-time and flex MBA programs are increasingly popular among globally-savvy professionals looking to advance their careers.
However, with numerous experiential learning opportunities and a focus on leadership development, the competition to join McDonough’s elite MBA is more difficult than ever.
That’s why we’ve prepared this guide to help you use your McDonough admissions essays to stand out. We’ve rounded up not only our best tips but have also included sample interview questions to ensure you give your McDonough interview your best shot.
How the McDonough interview works
Making sure you shine during your McDonough interview is no easy task.
McDonough interviews are highly personalized. During the interview, the interviewer is also trying to gauge how solid your motivations for wanting to pursue an MBA are, how interested you seem in the McDonough program, and whether you have the global mindset needed to thrive in Georgetown’s MBA.
Interviewers often ask many standard MBA interview questions, as well as questions designed to test how collaborative you are. You can also expect numerous follow-up questions throughout the interview.
Our clients who have interviewed with McDonough 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 (such as your work experience, post-MBA goals, and ability to contribute to McDonough), be ready for anything.
Who will interview you?
You will interview with a member of a small group of alumni who interview applicants on behalf of the admissions committee.
Will the interviewer have read your application?
The McDonough interview is blind, meaning the interviewer will only have access to your CV. This means that you can repeat examples from your essays if you choose to.
How long will the McDonough interview last?
The majority of interview reports indicate that the interview will last no longer than 30 minutes.
Who is McDonough looking for?
(Photo courtesy of @georgetownmcdonough on Instagram)
“The MBA Admissions team recruits diverse, technically strong, and motivated applicants who desire to be principled leaders with a global mindset in service to business and society. We seek diverse, driven critical thinkers who are committed to the transformational educational experience of the Georgetown MBA Program.” Georgetown McDonough Admissions
Every year, McDonough selects a group of talented professionals to join its annual two-year MBA class of around 250 students. With a strong emphasis on diversity, there is no “typical” Georgetown student, yet the average admitted student for the Class of 2026 has a 696 GMAT score and 5.6 years of work experience.
Beyond the impressive statistics, though, McDonough is looking for candidates who want to make a positive global impact through their careers. If this sounds like the place for you, make sure to highlight your specific reasons for being passionate about McDonough’s program throughout your admissions interview.
Trends in recent McDonough MBA interviews
Recent feedback from candidates interviewing at McDonough highlights several notable trends that you should consider when preparing for your interview:
Leadership Under Uncertainty: There’s a noticeable trend toward questions about how candidates handle ambiguity, make decisions without all the information, and lead during challenging situations. This aligns with McDonough’s emphasis on producing leaders who can adapt to dynamic environments.
Ethical Decision-Making: McDonough interviewers have been increasingly interested in ethical dilemmas and how candidates make principled decisions. This ties into the school’s mission to develop leaders who are not only successful but also socially responsible.
Cultural Fit and Contribution: There is a greater emphasis on assessing how well candidates fit within the collaborative and diverse culture at McDonough. Interview questions often explore how applicants plan to engage with the community, contribute to team dynamics, and leverage McDonough‘s resources to foster a sense of belonging.
How can you prepare for your McDonough interview?
Though no interview is 100% predictable, McDonough 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 McDonough interviews.
What questions are asked in the McDonough 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 McDonough 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)
- Tell me one thing about you not mentioned anywhere else in your application.
- What do you like to do in your free time?
- What are your short-term and long-term career goals?
- Name three firms you would like to work at after your MBA.
- Why do you want an MBA?
- What factors were you looking for when considering which MBA programs to apply to?
- Why now?
- Why McDonough?
- How do you plan to contribute to the McDonough community, both inside and outside the classroom?
- What resources or clubs do you plan to utilize here at McDonough?
- What other schools have you applied to?
- If you are offered admission, are there any barriers that would prevent you from joining McDonough?
LEADERSHIP & TEAMWORK
- Tell me about a time you had a conflict with someone at work. How did you resolve it? What did you learn?
- Tell me about one instance when you disagreed with your boss and how you handled the situation.
- What is your leadership style? Can you give me an example?
- Tell me about a time you faced a team challenge. How did you overcome it?
- Tell me about a time you led a project that went poorly. If you had to do it over again, what would you do differently?
- Tell me about a time when you had to influence others without formal authority.
- Describe a situation where you worked with people from diverse backgrounds. How did you ensure that everyone felt included?
MISCELLANEOUS BEHAVIORAL
- How would your friends describe you?
- What are your strengths and weaknesses?
- Tell me an example of when things didn’t work out as you planned.
- Tell me about a time when you were pushed to your limits at work.
- Tell me about a time when you had to make a significant decision without having all the information you needed. How did you handle it?
- Can you give an example of a time when you had to advocate for an unpopular ethical stance? What was the outcome?
- Tell me about a time you faced adversity. How did you overcome it?
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 McDonough, 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 Georgetown McDonough 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 McDonough 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
