Tepper School of Business

With a focus on preparing leaders to act at the intersection of business, technology, and
analytics, CMU Tepper is a popular school for savvy professionals seeking a school with top-
notch academics and recruiting and a ton of school spirit.
However, with the school’s STEM-designated business analytics major, the competition to join
Tepper’s elite MBA is more difficult than ever.
That’s why we’ve prepared this guide to help you use your Tepper MBA 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 Tepper interview your best shot.

How the Tepper interview works

Making sure you shine during your Tepper interview is no easy task.
Foster interviews, since they are conducted by the admissions committee, tend to be highly
focused on determining your fit with the Tepper program. 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 Tepper 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 Tepper 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 Tepper’s admissions committee.

Will the interviewer have read my application?

The Tepper 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 Tepper interview last?

30 minutes.

Who is Tepper looking for?

(Photo courtesy of @tepperCMU on Instagram)
“Ultimately, our goal is to welcome a class of MBAs who have diverse backgrounds and experiences
and will compliment and challenge one another to learn and grow during their two years at the
Tepper School. Your unique set of experiences, both life and professional, are your best
assets.” Tepper Admissions
Every year, Tepper spends a significant amount of time reviewing applications in order to select
members for its class of ~200 students. With a strong emphasis on diversity, there is no “typical”
Tepper student, yet the average admitted student does tend to have a 691 average
GMAT score and 5.4 years of work experience.
Beyond the impressive statistics, though, Tepper 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), Tepper seeks candidates
who also excel at working in teams.

How can you prepare for your interview?

Though no interview is 100% predictable, Tepper 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 Tepper interviews.

Sample Tepper Interview Questions

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 Tepper 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
1. Tell me about yourself. (Expect follow-up questions)
2. How did you bridge the knowledge gap you faced at the beginning of your career?
3. What do you do in your current job?
4. Why did you choose your university?
5. What was your undergraduate experience like?
6. What do you like to do for fun?
7. Tell me about an accomplishment you are proud of at work. What about outside of work?
8. What are your short-term and long-term career goals?
9. What are your backup goals?
10. Name three firms you would like to work at after your MBA.
11. Why did you quit your previous job?
12. Why do you want an MBA?
13. Why now?
14. Why Tepper?
15. How will you contribute to Tepper?
16. What clubs are you interested in?
17. What other schools have you applied to? If you get into all of them, how will you choose where to
go?
18. Have you visited campus? Spoken with alumni?
LEADERSHIP & TEAMWORK
1. Tell me about a time when you didn’t get along with your team. What did you do?
2. Tell me about one instance when you disagreed with your boss and how you handled the situation
3. Tell me about a time you were successful as a leader.
4. What is your leadership style?
5. Tell me about a time you were part of a team but your team members did not agree with your
decision.
6. Tell me about a time you worked on a team with people of different cultural backgrounds.
MISCELLANEOUS BEHAVIORAL
1. Tell me an example of a time you failed.
2. Tell me about a time when you took a risk.
3. How would your friends describe you? What about your boss?
4. What are your strengths and weaknesses?
5. Tell me about a time you helped someone achieve something.
6. What is a skill you excel at?
7. Tell me about a time you had to adapt.
8. What three things set you apart from your peers?
9. Tell me about a time when you had to make a compromise. What did you do about it?
10. Tell me about a time when your peers knew more than you did. How did you cope with it?
11. Tell me about a time you had to make a difficult decision.
CLOSING
1. Is there anything else you would like us to know about you?
2. Is there anything you wish I had asked you?
3. 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 Tepper, 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 to 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 Tepper 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.

Make sure you get into Tepper

You have stressed about every aspect of your MBA application, and now you are ready for your
interview! With the right preparation, this can be your chance to shine and get a highly-coveted
spot at an elite business school.
However, maybe you don’t know where to start in preparing, or maybe you tend to ramble on
and lose focus during interviews. Maybe you’ve even downloaded sample questions and written
out your answers. The problem is, when you try to apply these templates to your own
story, it doesn’t quite work.
Our interview prep focuses on helping you determine how to present yourself during your
MBA interview while using appropriate, impact-driven language without being artificial, or
worse, robotic.

VIDEO INTERVIEW
Follow the detailed instructions below for successfully completing your video interview and submitting
it to Heinz College as part of your application for admission.

You have the option of completing a one-question video interview in support of your application
for admission. The video interview will be available after you submit your application and your
official undergraduate transcript(s).
The video interview is optional, but is strongly recommended for non-native speakers of
English. We encourage all applicants to consider completing the video interview.

PREPARING FOR YOUR VIDEO INTERVIEW

As in a real, professional job interview, we do not share interview questions with you before the
actual interview. If you would like to prepare for your interview, you may wish to search the
internet for advice on preparing for a job interview and/or professional graduate school
interview in the United States.

Note: After you begin the video interview, you will not be able to pause, cancel, or re-record any
of your answers. Please keep this in mind as you decide when and where to complete your video
interview to minimize the chance that you are interrupted by a roommate, family member, pet
or anyone else while recording your video response.

WHO CAN APPEAR IN THE VIDEO?

The video and audio must be of you, the applicant (not a proxy).

WHEN WILL YOU COMPLETE YOUR VIDEO INTERVIEW? WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT?

You must first submit your online application and official undergraduate transcript(s).

You will receive an email invitation from Carnegie Mellon University's Heinz College asking you to
visit the status page of your application to open your personalized video interview within 24
hours AFTER your required, official undergraduate transcript(s) have been received and
processed.

If you want to ensure that your video interview is available when your application is
reviewed, please try to complete your interview within 5 days of the date you receive the
invitation to the video interview (within 5 days of when your official undergraduate transcript
has been received).

Here is what you can expect if you choose to complete the video interview:

 You will receive an email from the us AFTER your official undergraduate transcript has
been received and processed. This status will be posted on the "status" page of your
application.
 The email will invite you to visit the status page of your application to see the video
interview link to complete your video interview.
 When you click the link, the video interview window will open, providing instructions for
ensuring that your computer is set up correctly for the video interview.
o You will be able to record a test video to confirm that your settings are correct and
to become comfortable with the system.
o Immediately after recording your test video, you will have an opportunity to watch
the recording.
 o You will be able to record a test response several times if you need to make
adjustments to your settings - and to practice using the system. (Your test videos
will not be saved, nor will they be sent to Carnegie Mellon University.)
 When you begin the actual interview, you will be asked one (1) randomly-selected
question.
 You will have 90 seconds to read the question on the screen and decide how to answer.
 After the 90 seconds of reading/preparation time ends, your computer will automatically
begin to record your answer.
 You will have 90 seconds to provide your answer. You will have only one chance to
answer the question.
 You will not be able to pause the interview after it starts.
 You may stop recording if you finish answering the question in less than 90 seconds. (It is
fine to provide a shorter answer!)
 You will not be able to re-record any answer after the interview begins.
 You will be able to watch your response.
 You will only be able to complete the interview one time.
 As with a live interview, you will not be able to re-record your answer. Please approach
the video interview like a "real", live online video or in-person interview.
After you complete your video interview, it will automatically be added to your application for
review by the admissions committee.

Carnegie Mellon University Interview Process

The interview process at Carnegie Mellon University can vary depending on the position
you are applying for. For some positions, such as an administrative assistant, the process
may be relatively short and straightforward. However, for other positions, such as a
robotics software engineer, the process may be much longer and more difficult. Overall,
the interview process at Carnegie Mellon University is generally competitive and
challenging.

COMMON CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

 What is one of your greatest strengths and weaknesses?

 Why do you want to attend Carnegie Mellon University?
 How will you be an asset to the university?
 Do you think that a career in research would suit you?
 Tell me about a time where you were successful at reaching a goal.
 Are you comfortable working with other students on projects, or are you more of an
independent worker?
 How would you handle conflict among team members when working on a project
together?
 If there was one thing you could change about yourself, what would it be?
 Describe a challenge you overcame in a collaborative environment.
 Provide an example of a time when you made a mistake.
 What motivates you?
  What have you done to improve yourself in the last year?
 When did you first become interested in attending graduate school?
 What do you hope to accomplish during your time as a student here?
 Which area of study interests you most?
 How do you set goals for yourself?
 Is there anything else you would like us to know about you?
 What are your future plans once you complete your degree?
 Who has been an important mentor in your life?
 What specific resources at our institution interest you?

CLOSE-
1. What is one of your greatest strengths and weaknesses?

This question is a common one in interviews, and it’s important to be honest about your
strengths and weaknesses. When answering this question, think of two or three things you
are good at and two or three things you need to improve on.

Example: “I am an excellent communicator, both written and verbal. I have always been
able to explain complex ideas to others in a way that makes them easy to understand.
However, I do sometimes get so excited when explaining something new that I forget to
pause and let the other person ask questions. This has led to me talking over people
before they can fully understand what I’m saying.”

2. Why do you want to attend Carnegie Mellon University?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer that you have done your research
on the university and are excited about attending. You can use this question as a way to
highlight some of the unique opportunities Carnegie Mellon University offers students,
such as its world-class faculty or its reputation for innovation.

Example: “I chose to apply to Carnegie Mellon University because I am passionate about

computer science and want to be part of one of the top programs in the country. I also
love the idea of being able to study abroad at any point during my undergraduate career,
which is something that Carnegie Mellon University offers. Additionally, I would love to
take advantage of the many startup resources available here.”

3. How will you be an asset to the university?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer that you have done your research
on Carnegie Mellon University and understand what makes it unique. You can use this
question as a way to highlight any specific skills or experiences that are relevant to the
position, such as knowledge of computer science or previous experience working in a
startup environment.

Example: “I am passionate about education and believe that I would be an asset to the
university because of my commitment to excellence. In my last role, I was responsible for
developing curriculum and training new instructors. This process helped me develop
strategies for improving student engagement and retention rates. I also think that my
background in business development will help me contribute to the growth of the
university.”

4. Do you think that a career in research would suit you?

This question is a great way to show the interviewer that you have done your research on
Carnegie Mellon University and its programs. Use this opportunity to explain why you are
interested in working for CMU, what attracted you to their program or department and how
it fits with your career goals.

Example: “I think a career in research would suit me very well because I am passionate
about learning new things and discovering innovative solutions to complex problems. I
also love collaborating with others and sharing my ideas, which is something I could do
every day as part of a research team. I believe that my background and skills make me an
excellent candidate for a position at Carnegie Mellon University.”

5. Tell me about a time where you were successful at reaching a goal.

This question is a great way to show your ability to work hard and achieve goals. When
answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific goal you set for yourself
and how you achieved it.

Example: “When I was in high school, I wanted to get into my dream college. I knew that
getting good grades wasn’t enough, so I started taking online classes to help me prepare
for the SATs. After studying for months, I took the test and got a perfect score on the
writing portion. This helped me get accepted into Carnegie Mellon University.”

6. Are you comfortable working with other students on projects, or are you more of an independent worker?

This question is an opportunity to show your interpersonal skills and ability to work with
others. It’s important to be honest about your preferences, but also highlight any instances
where you’ve worked well in a team setting.

Example: “I’m definitely more of an independent worker, however I have had the
opportunity to collaborate on projects at my current job. In these situations, I prefer to take
on a leadership role and delegate tasks to other members of the group. This allows me to
focus on completing my own portion of the project while still ensuring that everyone else is
meeting their deadlines.”

7. How would you handle conflict among team members when working on a project together?

When working in a team environment, it’s likely that you’ll encounter conflict at some point.
Employers ask this question to make sure you have the skills and experience needed to
resolve conflicts effectively. In your answer, explain how you would approach this situation
and what steps you would take to help your teammates work through their differences.
Example: “In my previous role as an IT specialist, I worked with a team of developers on
several projects. One project required us to create a new website for a client. The lead
developer wanted to use a specific coding language while other developers preferred
using another language. This led to some disagreements among the team members.

I helped facilitate a meeting between all of the developers so they could discuss their
concerns and come up with a solution together. After discussing the issue, we decided to
combine both languages into one system. By doing this, we were able to meet our client’s
needs while also satisfying the preferences of each developer.”

8. If there was one thing you could change about yourself, what would it be?

This question is a great way to learn more about the applicant’s self-awareness and how
they view themselves. This can be an opportunity for you to see if they have any
weaknesses or areas of improvement that they are already working on.

Example: “I would like to improve my ability to speak in front of large groups. I am

comfortable speaking in front of small groups, but when it comes to giving presentations in
front of hundreds of people, I get nervous and start to stumble over my words. I’ve been
taking public speaking classes at my university, and I’m hoping to become more confident
with this skill by graduation.”

9. Describe a challenge you overcame in a collaborative environment.

This question is an opportunity to showcase your problem-solving skills and ability to work
with others. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe a specific situation
where you overcame a challenge in a collaborative environment.

Example: “At my current job, I was working on a project that required the input of several
different departments. One day, one of the department heads called me to let me know
they were having some issues with their part of the project. I immediately went into
problem-solving mode and worked with the other department head to find a solution. We
decided to meet for lunch so we could discuss our ideas more thoroughly. After
discussing the issue over lunch, we came up with a solution that would benefit both
projects.”

10. Provide an example of a time when you made a mistake.

Interviewers ask this question to learn more about your problem-solving skills and how
you react when faced with a challenge. When answering, try to focus on the steps you
took to resolve the issue or mistake and highlight any lessons learned that helped you
grow as a professional.

Example: “When I was working at my previous job, I had an important deadline to meet
but also wanted to take some time off work for a family emergency. I thought it would be
okay to work from home while taking care of my family member, but unfortunately, I didn’t
get all of my work done in time. My manager understood the situation and gave me
another chance, but I learned that it’s always best to communicate with my managers if I
need to leave early or come in late.”

11. What motivates you?

Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your personality and how you
might fit in with the rest of their team. To answer, think about what motivates you at work
and why. Consider mentioning a few things that motivate you and explain why they are
important to you.

Example: “I am motivated by learning new things and being part of an innovative team. I
love working on projects where we can create something new or improve upon something
that already exists. I also enjoy collaborating with others and helping them reach their
goals. I feel like these two motivators make me a great candidate for this position because
I would be excited to work here.”

12. What have you done to improve yourself in the last year?

Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your self-motivation and desire for
personal growth. They want to see that you’re committed to improving yourself, whether
it’s through formal education or on your own time. When answering this question, think of
a specific skill you’ve developed in the last year and how it has helped you professionally.

Example: “In the last year, I have really focused on my communication skills. I took an
online course on public speaking and learned some great techniques for presenting
myself confidently. This has been especially helpful when giving presentations at work.
My confidence has also improved my ability to collaborate with others.”

13. When did you first become interested in attending graduate school?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you better and understand your
motivations for pursuing a graduate degree. It can also give them insight into what
inspired you to pursue this field of study.

Example: “I first became interested in attending graduate school when I was an

undergraduate student at my local community college. My professor had just published
her book on the subject, and she gave a lecture about it that really sparked my interest.
After taking several more classes with her, I knew I wanted to continue studying her work
as a graduate student.”

14. What do you hope to accomplish during your time as a student here?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer that you have a plan for your time
at Carnegie Mellon University. It’s important to be specific about what you hope to
accomplish and how you will achieve it.
Example: “I am hoping to gain valuable experience in my field of study, which is computer
science. I want to learn from some of the best professors in the world and develop skills
that will help me succeed as a software engineer. I also hope to make connections with
other students who are passionate about technology so we can collaborate on projects.”

15. Which area of study interests you most?

This question is a great way to show the interviewer your passion for learning and how
you plan to use it in your future career. When answering this question, make sure to
mention an area of study that aligns with the job description.

Example: “I am most interested in computer science because I love problem-solving and

using technology to create new solutions. In my last internship, I worked on a team that
developed a program that could predict when a patient would need help based on their
vital signs. It was so rewarding to see our work improve healthcare.”

16. How do you set goals for yourself?

Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your time management skills and
how you plan out your schedule. When answering, it can be helpful to explain a specific
goal-setting method that you use and the benefits of using that method.

Example: “I find that setting weekly goals is most effective for me because I can break
down my larger goals into smaller ones that are easier to achieve. For example, if one of
my long-term goals was to get an A in a certain class, I would set weekly goals like
studying for at least two hours each night or reading five chapters of the textbook per
week. This helps me stay organized and focused on what I need to do.”

17. Is there anything else you would like us to know about you?

This question gives you the opportunity to show your personality and unique qualities. You
can talk about a specific skill or talent, an accomplishment or anything else that makes
you stand out as a candidate for this position.

Example: “I am also a professional dancer, which is why I have such great balance and
coordination. My dance background has helped me develop my ability to think creatively
and solve problems on the fly. In fact, when I was in college, I choreographed a dance
routine for our basketball team’s halftime performance. It was so successful that we won
the championship that year.”

18. What are your future plans once you complete your degree?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer your goals and ambitions. It’s
important to be honest about what you want in life, but it’s also a good idea to include
some of the skills you’ve learned at Carnegie Mellon University that will help you achieve
those goals.
Example: “I plan on working for a startup company after I graduate. I have been inspired
by many of my professors who are entrepreneurs, and I think I would enjoy being part of a
small business where I can use my creativity and problem-solving skills. I am excited to
learn more about how technology can change the world.”

19. Who has been an important mentor in your life?

Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your character and values. They
want to know if you have someone in your life who has helped you succeed, so they can
understand what kind of mentor you would be for students. In your answer, try to describe
the qualities that make this person a good mentor.

Example: “My high school English teacher was an important mentor in my life. She taught
me how to write essays and research papers, but she also encouraged me to pursue
creative writing. I am now pursuing a career as a novelist because of her encouragement.”

20. What specific resources at our institution interest you?

This question is an opportunity to show your knowledge of the university and its
resources. You can research Carnegie Mellon University’s website or speak with a
representative from the admissions department to learn about the school’s unique
programs, facilities and student organizations.

Example: “I am very interested in the robotics program at Carnegie Mellon University. I

have always been fascinated by robots and how they interact with humans. I would love to
study under Dr. Cynthia Breazeal, who founded the Personal Robotics Group at the
institution. Her work on social robots has inspired me to pursue a career as a roboticist.”

Application
I interviewed at Carnegie Mellon University

Interview
Easy and great, not really hard to get in, but value is relative great. So its the one of the best University in the world.
Students here works extremely hard

Interview Questions
 1. Why do you think CMU suits you?

Application
I applied online. I interviewed at Carnegie Mellon University

Interview
Overall, it was quite relax. The interviewer asked me couple of warm up question before she goes about my
background. She was seeking to learn more about the things I have submitted in my words, not some technical or
artistic knowledge.
Interview Questions
 Where do you see yourself in 3 years?
1 Answer
 Which video games do you like?
1 Answer
 Why CMU Entertainment Technologies Center?

Application
I applied online. The process took 3 months. I interviewed at Carnegie Mellon University

Interview
Hiring process really depends on the department. For mechanical engineering, you need to submit online application,
well, just like all other jobs, then if a professor is interested in you, he/she will call/email you, if you are in US, you
will get an invitation for campus visit, then if the professor still likes you, they will make you an offer

Interview Questions
 Just the regular stuff, whether or not you know some field in their research and whether you are interested in
becoming part of the group, etc.

Application
I applied online. The process took 3 months. I interviewed at Carnegie Mellon University (Pittsburgh, PA) in Nov
2013

Interview
No interview process. Based on Statement of Purpose. Need to have a solid Statement of Purpose to get in. Have to
explain you long term and short term goals. Also need to talk about previous research experience. Very good
experience as you get to put out your thoughts on grad school in an organized way.

Interview Questions
 1) Why CMU? 2) Why grad school? 3) Where do you see yourself in 5 years from now? 4) What have you
done previously?