39 Questions to Ask Your Interviewer in an MBA Interview

Applicants spend hours preparing to answer the questions from their interviewer. But at the end of the interview, when the interviewer asks “Do you have any questions for me?” many are stumped. Instinctively, they might answer “None at the moment, thanks!”

But the MBA interview is meant to be a two-way conversation, where you can not only demonstrate your character and personality, but also assess your fit with the school by gleaning important insights from someone who knows the program intimately. Asking questions to your interviewer also emphasizes your interest and motivation to attend the program.

No matter how much research you’ve done, there’s always something new to learn! If you’re unsure of what you should ask your interviewer, here are 39 questions to get you started.

Questions to ask an AdCom interviewer

Naturally, admissions committee interviewers know the specifics of the MBA program, curriculum, and the evaluation criteria thoroughly; after all, they play a significant role in shaping the class. So when you speak with an AdCom interviewer, focus on your fit with the school’s values and goals, the program’s format and delivery, recruitment opportunities and processes, support systems, and any program-specific questions. Also, don’t just stick to general, program-focused questions. AdComs like being asked for their perspective, so make sure you find something specific that they’re excited to share. 

1. What are you most excited about in the program this year?

2. In your X years working here, you have seen X thousands/hundreds of students attend this program. While they are all great, what differentiates an exceptional student from the pack? 

3. How does the program or admissions committee define success for students?

4. I noticed you’ve studied/worked at [other school]. How would you say this school compares to that one?

5. Are there any major changes or additions to the MBA program/school expected this year? What impact will that have on the cohort?

6. Given my goals, where do you think I should direct most of my focus during the program?

7. With the changing political climate, how does the school intend to continue championing its diversity and inclusion goals? 

8. Are there any new specializations or courses in the works right now?

9. How does the MBA program interact with local businesses and industries?

10. When you look at the program as a whole, where do you see opportunities for improvement?

11. What is the last thing a remarkable student did here that left an impact?

12. What has been your favorite part of working with students?

13. How have you seen students add to the community here?

Questions to ask an Alumni interviewer

Alumni interviewers may not be as closely associated with the program as when they were students, but they can provide an insider view into the MBA experience at the school and share valuable information about the “real” culture at the school, alumni network, and how they were able to use their MBA degree in their career. When you interview with an alum, focus on the student experience, how the program’s career services, resources, and network have impacted them personally and professionally, and any advice you should heed as a student (and later as an alum).

1. How engaged are alumni with the school’s network, both formally and informally?

2. How strong is the alumni network in [target market or industry]?

3. Can you share how the school’s network and resources have played a role in shaping your career since graduation?

4. Looking back, is there anything you wish you had done differently during your time in the program or after graduation that could have helped you leverage the school’s resources better?

5. Given my goals, where do you think I should direct most of my focus during the program?

6. As an alum, what’s the alumni experience like here? How can I best get involved in the community?

7. Based on our conversation, where do you see me making the most impact in the school’s community? Are there any areas I might have overlooked?

8. I’m hoping to pivot to [target industry] after graduation, how active and helpful is the [industry] club and alumni network? Can you connect me with someone from your cohort who made this pivot? 

9. How did you manage the balance between academics and extracurricular activities during the program?

10. What made you choose this MBA program over your other options?

11. Did you take advantage of the career services offered? How helpful were they in your recruitment efforts?

12. X years out, how do you view the value of your MBA?

13. Were there any challenges you faced during the program, and how did you handle them?

Questions to ask a Current Student interviewer

Interviews with AdCom members may feel more structured, and that’s natural; they’ve done this many times and they’re good at getting you to think up an answer on the spot. Interviews with current students, however, may feel “easier” for many applicants because they tend to be more informal and casual. But it’s important to remember: it’s still an interview. When speaking with a current student, focus on questions about their MBA experience, fit with the school’s culture, challenges and opportunities in the program, the current recruiting scenario, involvement with the school’s community, and managing their workload and personal life. 

1. What has been your favorite part of the MBA experience? 

2. I see you have a background in [industry]—can you share your experience making the transition from that field into the MBA program? How did the program support that shift?

3. I noticed that your undergrad was in [area] and you recently interned at X firm. How common is that career path, and were there any specific tools or resources at Y school that helped you make that pivot?

4. What are some of your favorite classes or clubs during the program? Which ones have best prepared you for your internship or career path?

5. How did you balance your workload with extracurricular activities like clubs or networking events? Were there any particular activities that stood out to you?

6. What was your recruiting experience like at X school? How did the program's resources help you land your internship/job, especially given your background?

7. I’d love to hear more about your experience moving to [City] for school. Were there any major differences or challenges in adjusting to the new environment?

8. I saw the program has multiple [specialization] project opportunities. Did you participate in any? What was your experience like?

9. In your opinion, what type of person tends to do well in this program?

10. Was there anything about the program that surprised you once you got started?

11. How approachable have the professors been, and what’s your experience with finding mentorship here?

12. Do you have any budgeting advice for me?

13. Knowing what you know now, what advice would you give yourself before starting the MBA program?

Our Top Tips

This bank of questions to ask is a great starting point, but it’s by no means exhaustive. Here are some more questions to ask your interviewer.

You may also have a few questions of your own that you’ll tailor to your specific interviewer/school. When crafting your own questions for your MBA interviewer, keep the following in mind:  

Stay engaged with the conversation

Don’t plug in a question just because it sounds good! Ask questions that build on the topics you've already discussed and keep them open-ended to encourage a deeper dialogue (that means you should avoid any yes/no questions). It shows that you’ve been paying attention. 

Ask about them, but not too much

Everyone likes to talk about themselves, so give your interviewer the chance to share their personal insights. They’ll be more likely to remember you as someone who showed a genuine interest in their story and keep in touch with you. But be careful; don’t overstep boundaries and probe into overly personal details (something that applicants are more likely to do with alumni or current student interviewers). 

Don’t waste their time

Focus on questions that explore lesser-known aspects of the program or school’s community, rather than asking for details that you could have easily found on Google. On the same note, avoid making the conversation awkward by asking questions they probably do not know the answers to, such as super specific industry trends.

Be pragmatic

You might be tempted to just stick to the program’s positives, but feel free to ask about opportunities for growth or any challenges that future students like yourself can tackle. It shows a forward-thinking mindset and tells the interviewer you’re already thinking like you’re part of the community. 

Follow up

Follow up after your interview with a “thank you” email or Linkedin message. Keep your follow-up email brief (under 100 words) and don’t ask any more questions.

Good luck!

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