UPDATE: This article was originally posted on October 6, 2023. It has been updated with 2024/25 information and tips below.
As one of a handful of STEM-designated MBA programs, Vanderbilt is at the top of the list for an increasing number of applicants who seek to pursue a career in the US.
With this increased interest, however, it is more difficult than ever to find a place at Vanderbilt’s Owen Graduate School of Management.
That’s why we’ve prepared this guide to help you use your Owen interview to stand out. We’ve rounded up not only our best tips but have also included sample mock interview sequences to ensure you give your Vanderbilt interview your best shot.
How the Vanderbilt Interview Works
Making sure you shine during your Vanderbilt interview is no easy task.
Vanderbilt interviews, since they are conducted by the admissions committee, tend to be highly personalized and based on your whole application. 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 Vanderbilt 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 Vanderbilt 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 Vanderbilt’s admissions committee. If you are unable to travel to campus or a hub city, you may request a virtual interview. Completing your interview online will in no way negatively impact your application.
Will the interviewer have read your application?
Yes. The interviewer will have read your entire application. Past reports indicate that interviewers develop specific questions based on your application, so make sure to take the time to review what you presented.
How long will the Vanderbilt interview last?
30-45 minutes.
Who is Vanderbilt Looking For?
“Our size and focus allows us to interact with students, alumni and recruiters as individuals so that we can better understand and help each achieve their goals. We are intensely and proudly competitive with the best. But we also shape leaders who understand that collaboration is essential in today’s connected economy. We develop businesspeople who can lead and manage change, drawing not only on what they learn here about business but also what they learn about themselves.” Vanderbilt Owen Admissions
Every year, Vanderbilt’s admissions team has the difficult task of selecting a small number of outstanding professionals for its class of around 175 students. With a strong emphasis on diversity, there is no “typical” Owen student, yet the average admitted student for the Class of 2026 has a GMAT score of 703 and a GRE score of 159V, 159Q.
Beyond the impressive statistics, though, Owen 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), Owen possesses numerous programs to support diversity, including initiatives for women, LGBTQI+ candidates, international candidates, and minority candidates.
Trends in recent Vanderbilt MBA interviews
Recent feedback from candidates interviewing at Vanderbilt highlights several notable trends that you should consider when preparing for your interview:
Leadership and Collaboration: Vanderbilt places a strong focus on selecting candidates who are not only academically sound but also demonstrate leadership in collaborative settings. This is reflected in interview questions that probe leadership styles and specific team experiences.
Adaptability and Resilience: With the business world rapidly changing, admissions committees are looking for applicants who can pivot quickly and manage uncertainty. Applicants are frequently asked about overcoming challenges and adapting to new circumstances.
Diversity and Inclusion: Vanderbilt has consistently increased its emphasis on diversity, so many candidates report being asked about their experiences in diverse teams, how they handle differing viewpoints, and how they plan to contribute to an inclusive environment at Vanderbilt.
How Can You Prepare For Your Interview?
Though no interview is 100% predictable, Vanderbilt 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 Vanderbilt interviews.
What questions are asked in the Vanderbilt 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 Vanderbilt 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 do in your current job?
- Why did you choose your university?
- What was your undergraduate experience like?
- 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?
- Why now?
- Why Vanderbilt?
- What contribution will you bring to the classroom?
- What excites you the most about Vanderbilt?
- What do you hope to gain from our community?
- What other schools have you applied for? 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? Can you give me an example?
- How would you handle a situation where a teammate of yours wasn’t pulling their own weight?
- Give me an example of a time you worked on a diverse team.
- Tell me a leader you admire.
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.
- Describe a situation where you used your network to achieve something.
- How do you handle feedback? Can you give me an example?
- How do you deal with diversity?
- Can you describe a recent challenge at work and how you overcame 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 Owen, 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.
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 Vanderbilt Owen interview through mock interviews tailored to your profile.
What To Do If You Get A Question You Weren’t Prepared 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 give your answer to show you can respond to any question they throw at you.
Effectively Tell Your Story During your Vanderbilt Owen 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.
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
