UPDATE: This article was originally posted on January 13, 2020. It has been updated with 2024/25 information and tips below.
As one of the most highly-coveted MBA dual degree programs anywhere in the world, the Lauder program at Wharton offers globally-minded professionals the chance to add a Master’s in International Studies to their MBAs.
Given its tight-knit network, envy-inducing travel schedule, and access to top thought leaders around the world, landing a spot in the Lauder program is no small feat.
That’s why we’ve prepared this guide to help you use your Lauder admissions 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 Lauder application your best shot.
How the Lauder Interview Works
The Lauder interview will usually happen right around the same time as your regular Wharton interview.
During the interview, your main goal is to show you are a highly qualified, globally-minded professional who truly loves Lauder.
The questions you are asked are likely to be very customized to your essays and choice of track within the Lauder program. You should also review your essay in depth before your interview since consistency is king.
Who will interview you?
You will be interviewed by a member of the Lauder admissions committee. Many interviews are conducted virtually or over the phone, which will not negatively impact your application in any way.
Will the interviewer have read your application?
The interview is blind, meaning the interviewer has access to limited information, such as your CV, but they typically don’t have access to the full application.
How long will the Wharton Lauder interview last?
According to our past applicants, Lauder interviews typically last around 30 minutes.
The questions you are asked will be more specific, so try to think about how the questions below might be adapted to your case.
Who is Lauder Looking for?
(Photo courtesy of @lauderinstitute on Instagram)
Lauder looks for globally-minded professionals who are poised to become future global business leaders.
In general, Lauder admits can clearly demonstrate and articulate an understanding of current events, especially those related to their target region. Furthermore, our most successful applicants have had an extensive track record of living, working, and/or volunteering abroad. As such, when applying to Lauder, you want to make sure you highlight the full picture of your global experience!
Finally, keep in mind that all Lauder applicants must complete the OPI language exam to prove proficiency in a language other than English. Each track within the program has specific requirements, so make sure to review those before scheduling your exam!
Trends in recent Wharton Lauder MBA interviews
Recent feedback from candidates interviewing at Wharton Lauder highlights several notable trends that you should consider when preparing for your interview:
Greater Focus on Global Issues: The interview now places more emphasis on the candidate’s ability to analyze and connect global issues with their personal and professional experiences. This is a shift from a predominantly biographical focus to a more strategic and issue-driven conversation.
Language and Cultural Fluency: Interviewers expect not just language proficiency, but also cultural fluency. Questions about specific cultural nuances in the candidate’s target region are increasingly common.
Long-term Global Vision: Interviewers are now placing more weight on how candidates envision leveraging their Lauder experience to drive global impact, especially in an increasingly interconnected and complex world.
How can you prepare for your interview?
Remember that Lauder looks for globally-minded professionals who are poised to become future global business leaders.
You should show an understanding of current events, especially those related to your target region. You should be prepared to speak thoughtfully on these events and show how they connect to other trends or issues in the region, and how they connect to issues around the world.
Also, be prepared to address follow up questions on the content of your essays. For example, if you mention interning in China, be prepared to talk about the cultural and economic differences, challenges you faced, motivations for doing that, your greatest lessons learned, etc.
Overall, keep the tone very conversational yet high level. Show why Lauder would be a good fit for your career and why you are passionate about Lauder.
What questions are asked in the Wharton Lauder MBA interview?
- Tell me a little bit about your career, starting from university, why you chose that university, major, etc. (Expect follow-up questions, especially focused on your global experience.)
- Tell me a little bit about your experience working in another country – how was it different from working in an emerging market/developed market/etc?
- What are your short-term and long-term goals?
- Why your target language and your target region? E.g., Latin America and Spanish. (Expect follow-up questions.)
- When did you first start learning TARGET LANGUAGE and how has that progressed? Have you been on an immersion experience before?
- How will you contribute to the Wharton/Lauder community outside of professional interests?
- Have you been in touch with any Lauder students, and what do you know about the program?
- Do you have any ideas for your GKL?
- How do you see the summer immersion enhancing your business education?
- Why Lauder?
- Why not just Wharton alone?
- How do you plan to balance the demands of Wharton and Lauder?
- Tell me about a recent global issue that has caught your attention and how you see it impacting your target region.
- How do you keep up with developments in your target language and region?
- How has your understanding of the cultural values in your target region influenced your approach to communication and relationship-building?
- How do you see your Lauder experience helping you become a global business leader?
- 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 Wharton Lauder, 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 Lauder 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.
Tell your story effectively in the Wharton Lauder 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.
Not only can you take advantage of our development process through multiple sessions – you can also benefit from a single session! If your budget is tight, our interview experts can focus your session on a single aspect of the preparation process, from workshopping your answers to providing mock interviews.
Our tailored approach was critical to helping our client, Mariama, secure a spot at Lauder.
Our interview prep helps you determine how to present yourself during your MBA interview while using appropriate, impact-driven language without being artificial, or worse, robotic.
That’s why 98.9% of our clients secure admissions to 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
