Texas McCombs MBA Interviews
As per the University of Texas McCombs’ website –
Texas McCombs MBA Interviews are by invitation only and can come at any time during the application Round. There are three different interview types: On-campus with a current student or admissions officer, off-campus in your local city or hub city location with an alumni interviewer or admissions officer, or via Skype with a current student or admissions officer. For each type (excluding alumni interviews) there is an online calendar from which you can select an interview slot that works with your schedule over a period of a few months. The School will inform you of the last date your interview needs to be completed. The only exception to this is that booking your alumni interview off-campus in your local city follows a slightly different process, but McCombs provides the step-by-step instructions if you decide to go that route.
You are not able to choose your individual interviewer, but rest assured all of our current student interviewers, alumni volunteer interviewers and admissions officers are fully trained and capable of conducting an interview that is professional, fair, impartial and helpful. Interviews typically last anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour. All interviews are blind, which means the interviewer does not have access to anything about you or your application, except for your resume. Even so, it’s always a good idea to bring a copy for the interviewer to reference during the conversation.
Most McCombs MBA interviews follow the general framework of introductions, questions from the interviewer for you to answer, then some time is left at the end for you to ask your questions about the program and/or application process. Once the interview is completed, you are finished! There is nothing further you need to do and your application is considered complete. All that’s left is to wait patiently for the School’s final decision in the weeks that follow.
Texas Mcombs MBA Frequently Asked Interview Questions
- Tell me something about yourself?
- Walk me through your resume?
- Why MBA? Why Texas Mcombs school?
- Why MBA now or Why MBA at this stage of your career?
- What is your short & long term goals?
- What is your Plan B if consulting/Investment banking does not happen?
- What are your key strengths? Can you give some examples please?
- What is your biggest weakness ? Can you give some examples please?
- How can you add value to the Class?
- Why should we take you?
- One reason that we should not select you?
- Interests and Hobbies – Be prepared!.. questions as basic as “Why do you do poetry (or any other activity” may be asked.
- Some Situational & Behavioral Question
- What would you describe are your greatest achievement to date?
- Give me an example of a time you faced a conflict while working on a team. How did you handle that?
- Give me an example of a time when you did not meet a client’s expectation. What happened, and how did you attempt to rectify the situation?
- Case questions are fairly common in MBA interview especially for consulting aspirants. Below are a few sample for to practice for:
- How many Golf balls can fit in a Boeing 747?
- What’s the global market size for smartphones?
- Do you have any Question for us?
Texas McCombs Interview Questions – 1
A very casual and conversational interview with a second-year student with good social skills.
- Tell me about yourself
- Why McCombs?
- Why MBA/Why now?
- S/T & L/T goals
- How will you contribute here?
- Describe a leadership experience
- A time you disagreed with a superior or colleague
- A time you solved a problem
- What did you learn about yourself from this admissions process?
I think the interview went well, and it reflected the school’s collaborative student culture who all seem to be very happy and helpful individuals who love life in Austin.
Texas McCombs Interview Questions – 2
The interview started with a brief introduction about the interviewer and then the following questions were asked:
- Why MBA? and Why now?
- Why US? Where else have you applied?
- Tell me an experience when you demonstrated determination.
- How well do you work in teams? Give example
- How did you research about the school?
- What are your major strengths and weaknesses ?
- Give examples when you put your strengths into practice.
- What is your plan B if you can not achieve your dream employment?
- Would you like to continue working in USA or move back to your home country?
- How do you plan to contribute in the program?
- Tell me about one achievement from your résumé that you are proud of.
Then, I asked a couple of questions and received very good, insightful answers. The interview lasted for 45-50 minutes.
Texas McCombs Interview Questions – 3
This was a straightforward behavioral interview with a very friendly second-year student. We spoke for ~45 minutes and including my follow-up questions. Questions asked of me included the following:
- Tell me about your background
- Why MBA?
- Why McCombs?
- Short-term and Long-term career goals?
- What if your long-term career goals don’t pan out?
- Tell me about a time you led a team and had to make an unpopular decision. How did you deal with that?
- Describe a time you worked in a diverse team
- What have you learned about your leadership style from the first time you led a team?
- Describe a time when you came up with a creative solution to a problem
- Describe a time when you encountered a challenge. How did you adjust?
- What is one experience you’re proud of?
- How will you make McCombs better?
We spent a substantial portion of the interview talking about my extracurricular involvement and times I’ve worked with and led a team. This interview went really well, and I was admitted to McCombs in Round One. I definitely think this conversation was pivotal in my process with the school. The laid-back feel of the interview and interviewer definitely put me at ease and helped me perform better–this is in keeping with McCombs approachable and personable program. Great interview experience!
Texas McCombs Interview Questions – 4
Interview was on campus with MAC 2nd year student volunteer. Based on our initial informal discussion, we had similar pre-MBA industries, which I am sure was not a coincidence. The interview was pretty informal/conversational, with some regular back and forth, rather than me just talking the whole time. As I was one of only a few students interviewing that day, I had a full hour. We covered the following:
- Walk me through you résumé.
- Why an MBA / Why now?
- Short term / long term goals?
- Why McCombs?
- Tell me about a time you have worked on a diverse team?
- Tell me about a time you developed an innovative solution at work?
- What is your leadership style (w/ an example)?
Overall pretty low stress and very similar to other school interviews. No curve balls, as each interviewer has a pre-set list of questions to asked that are generated by admissions.
Texas McCombs Interview Questions – 5
The interview was very conversational and very relaxed. It lasted for 35-40 minutes. My interviewer had a very friendly personality so that really helped calm my nerves. I had prepped in advance for all the typical questions so I was able to deliver them confidently and clearly. I also made it a point to not take more than 3-4 minutes to answer a question. I was dressed in a full suit. My interviewer was casually dressed. She was taking down notes during all my answers. I sent her a thank you note 4-5 hours after the interview and she was quick to reply.
These were the questions she asked me (in the same order):
- Résumé walk-through
- Short-term/long-term goals
- Why MBA is the next step in my career?
- Why McCombs?
- Leadership Experience Example
- Multi-cultural/diverse team experience Example
- How I would contribute to my cohort
- What the application experience taught me
- Anything I’d like to share
- Questions for the interviewer