My Wharton Interview

I had an adcom interview here in Seoul last Friday. Although I am not really agonizing over how I did on the interview, I have many, many regrets over and doubts about some of the things I said and the way I said them.

There were some standard questions that I thought I had prepared for, yet failed to answer in a concise and clear way. There were a couple of moments when the interviewer (very professional, kind, and considerate, by the way) had to ask me again the point of my answers after I gave my full-fledged answers (sigh). Although I did successfully re-organized my answers at the end (to make her say "Ah, Ok, now I got it."), I don't think my communication skill really impressed her on a couple of questions. A couple people who helped me with the mock interviews had already pointed this tendency and told me to take enough time before answering questions, but I simply failed to follow their advice by giving the interviewer lengthy answers on several occasions. In retrospect, I was just too eager and too nervous during the interview. Before the interview, I had prepared for about 8~9 standard interview questions - for that matter, I needed as many in order to give a full description of myself, my motives, and my passion - and I was just too anxious to lead the answer to different directions.

However, at the end, I came out with the feeling that I said what I wanted to say. Looking back, I basically covered the most major points, and in this context, I am satisfied.

There were some unexpected questions to which I answered without a hesitation, and I think I nailed some of the questions with a sense of purpose and passion. Another good thing is that I had prepared thoroughly for "Why Wharton", "Why Now", and "ST and LT career goals" questions, and it clearly showed during the interview. A couple of times, I found my interviewer nodding her head in agreement at the same time she was writing down something on her notebook. On the other hand, I also found my interviewer drawing a straight line on her notebook. (sigh...)

Like many applicants who interviewed with the adcom member, I just didn't get the chance to create one of those very comfortable, informal conversational environments. But I expected it, so I understood the constraints put forth upon me. After all, it was I who made the decision to go with the adcom interview over the alum interview.

When she started closing the interview by telling me to drop her a line or two at the end, I initially got the impression that she was kicking me out early because I was babbling too much. But as soon as I left the building, I checked my watch, and it showed 2:02, 32 minutes past the start of the interview. Yes, she was very professional, indeed very punctual.

In essence, I think I basically gave her either of the following two impressions:

1. very passionate, goal-oriented, with a clear sense of purpose, unique background, unique personality, with strong initiatives.

2. too intense, too competitive, impatient, not a teamwork player, self-centered, poor communication skill.

Well, no more guessing. I will just find out on Dec. 23rd.

When I was given an invitation to interview on the day before the interview notification deadline, I got the impression that I needed to absolutely shine during the interview to help strengthen my borderline application, but I felt I didnt do as well as I should have done.

As a result, I am praying hard at this point, because, honestly speaking, I really don't have a second choice school after Wharton....sigh.

p.s. BC and Aregon23, I am really, really glad that your interviews went great. I have always thought that you guys would do well ever since the first day I read your posts.