UCLA Anderson MBA Interview Preparation Guide

Welcome to your UCLA Anderson MBA interview practice session! This 30-minute interview simulation will help you prepare for the real thing. Your interviewer is Alex Johnson, a current second-year Anderson MBA student who has been trained by the admissions committee to conduct interviews.

🎯 What to Expect

Interview Format

• Duration: 30 minutes
• Interviewer: Second-year MBA student (not admissions staff)
• Style: Casual, conversational, friendly - like talking to a peer
• Resume-Based: Your interviewer only has your resume, not your full application

Interview Atmosphere

Anderson interviews are consistently described as "casual," "relaxed," "friendly," and "conversational." Many candidates report it feeling like a conversation with a friend they just met. The goal is to get to know you as a person, not to stump you with difficult questions.

Typical Question Flow

1. Resume Walk-through (Always First)

• "Walk me through your resume" (asked in virtually every Anderson interview)
• Follow-up questions about career transitions and key experiences
• Be ready to summarize your professional journey in 2 minutes or less

2. MBA Goals & Rationale (Major Focus)

• "Why an MBA?" - Almost always asked
• "Why now?" - Timing and readiness
• "What are your short-term and long-term goals?"
• "What would be your desired internship?"
• "What is your plan B if your career goals are not met?"

3. Why Anderson (Critical - Heavily Weighted)

• "Why Anderson?" - Asked in almost every interview
• "What about Anderson's program appeals to you most?"
• "Which electives interest you?"
• "Which clubs would you like to join?"
• "Why Los Angeles?"
• Must demonstrate specific, detailed knowledge

4. Behavioral Questions (Team-Focused)

• "Tell me about a time you worked on a team"
• "Tell me about a time you persevered through something"
• "Tell me about a time you had to deal with conflict at work"
• "What type of leader are you?"
• Focus on collaboration and teamwork (critical for learning groups)

💡 Key Success Strategies

1. Master "Why Anderson" with Specifics

This is the most important part of your interview. Be ready to mention:

• Specific courses and professors relevant to your goals
• Clubs and organizations you'd join and how you'd contribute
• Unique programs (e.g., specific centers, initiatives, partnerships)
• Los Angeles advantages for your career goals
• Recruiting relationships with your target companies
• Learning group structure and collaborative culture

2. Demonstrate Deep Research

• Reference conversations with current students or alumni
• Mention specific companies that recruit heavily at Anderson
• Show understanding of Anderson's collaborative, supportive culture
• Know about Anderson's team-based learning approach

3. Prepare for Team-Focused Questions

Anderson uses 5-6 person learning groups, so teamwork is crucial:

• Have strong examples of collaborative success
• Show conflict resolution skills
• Demonstrate ability to work with diverse personalities
• Highlight leadership within team settings

4. Be Authentic and Conversational

• Don't over-rehearse - Anderson values genuine conversation
• Be ready to engage with your interviewer's own experiences
• Show personality and let your passion come through
• Ask thoughtful questions about their Anderson experience

Preparation Checklist

Before You Start:

• Have your resume ready to upload (PDF format)
• Research specific Anderson courses, clubs, and professors
• Prepare 3-4 teamwork/leadership stories using STAR method
• Know your target companies and verify Anderson's recruiting relationships
• Understand Los Angeles market advantages for your goals

Key Talking Points:

• Clear narrative connecting your past, MBA goals, and future
• Specific reasons why Anderson (not just rankings or prestige)
• How you'll contribute to Anderson's collaborative community
• Understanding of learning group dynamics and team-based approach

Interview Dos and Don'ts

DO:

• Treat it like a conversation with a peer
• Show genuine enthusiasm for Anderson's culture
• Reference specific programs, courses, and opportunities
• Ask questions about your interviewer's experience
• Be concise but detailed in your responses
• Demonstrate you've done your homework on the program

DON'T:

• Give generic answers about wanting an MBA
• Focus only on Anderson's ranking or prestige
• Appear over-rehearsed or robotic
• Neglect to ask questions about the interviewer's experience
• Rush through your resume walk-through
• Show lack of knowledge about specific Anderson offerings

Sample Strong Responses

"Why Anderson?" "I'm drawn to Anderson for several specific reasons. First, the collaborative culture aligns perfectly with my leadership style - I've always believed the best solutions come from diverse teams working together. The learning group structure reminds me of the cross-functional teams I've led at [company]. Second, I'm excited about Professor [Name]'s [specific course] and how it connects to my goal of [specific goal]. Third, I want to join the [specific club] to [specific contribution]. Finally, Los Angeles offers unique advantages for my target industry, especially with companies like [specific companies] that recruit heavily at Anderson..."

"Tell me about a time you worked on a team" "In my role at [company], I was part of a cross-functional team of six people from different departments... [use STAR method]. This experience taught me the importance of [specific learning], which I know will be valuable in Anderson's learning groups where I'll be working closely with classmates from diverse backgrounds..."

"What questions do you have for me?" "I'd love to hear about your experience in the learning groups - how did you navigate different working styles? Also, I'm interested in [specific club/program] - what was your involvement like? Finally, how has the Los Angeles location specifically helped with your career goals?"

🔍 What They're Really Assessing

• Cultural Fit: Do you thrive in collaborative, team-based environments?
• Anderson Knowledge: Have you done deep research beyond the basics?
• Communication: Can you engage in natural, flowing conversation?
• Career Clarity: Do you have realistic, well-thought-out goals?
• Team Player: Will you contribute positively to learning groups?
• Authenticity: Are you genuine in your interest and motivations?

📊 Common Question Sequences from Real Interviews

Sequence 1:

1. Walk me through your resume
2. What are your short-term and long-term goals?
3. Why an MBA?
4. What would be your desired internship?
5. What is your plan B?
6. Tell me about an example of a challenge you faced
7. Tell me about conflict resolution with learning groups in mind
8. Why Anderson? Give examples of classes, programs, resources
9. How would you participate on campus?

Sequence 2:

1. Tell me about yourself and why you want to go to business school
2. Why Anderson?
3. Tell me about how Anderson will contribute to your career
4. What are your short- and long-term goals?
5. Tell me about a strength or weakness you want to work on at Anderson
6. Tell me about an innovative approach you took to solve a team problem
7. Tell me about the way you lead
8. Do you have any questions for me?

🎯 Remember:

Anderson interviews are designed to be positive, engaging conversations where you can showcase your personality and fit with the program. Your interviewer is a current student who was recently in your shoes and wants to help you succeed. Be yourself, show your genuine interest in Anderson, and enjoy the opportunity to learn about the program from someone currently experiencing it!

Good luck! 🌟